Special Landscape Requirements

Santa Clara City Code § 18.36.060

in effect

In addition to the general requirements of Section 18.36.050 (General Landscape Standards), the following requirements apply to the special types of landscaping. A. Multi-Tenant Project Entry Landscaping. Entries to multi-tenant projects (both residential and nonresidential) shall be designed as a special statement reflective of the character and scale of the project to establish identity for tenants, visitors, and patrons. Flowering access plantings and specimen trees shall be used to reinforce the entry statement. B. Trees Adjacent to Structure Walls. Except for single-family housing developments, trees shall be planted in areas of public view adjacent to structures at a rate of one tree per 30 linear feet of building dimensions (or fraction thereof), particularly to interrupt expansive horizontal and vertical surfaces. C. Drive-Through Aisles Screening. For drive-through aisle screening requirements see Section 18.60.100 (Drive-in/Drive Through Establishments). D. Wireless Telecommunication Facilities. Landscaping is required on the site of wireless telecommunication facilities, including trees, foliage, and shrubs. Additional landscaping may be planted around the tower and related equipment to buffer abutting residential zones or uses and to buffer public trails. Trees shall be fast-growing evergreen species, with a minimum size of 24-inch box. Shrubs shall be a minimum 15-gallon size covering a minimum planter area depth of five feet around the facility. Trees and shrubs shall be located no farther apart on center than the mature diameter of the proposed species. E. On-Site Pedestrian Pathways and Public Spaces. Pedestrian pathways and public space landscaping shall include shade trees placed so as to cover 50 percent of the total pathway area with tree canopies within 15 years of planting. F. Landscaping Adjoining Creeks. Landscaping or planting that is adjoining to creeks shall only use native plants. G. Signs. Landscaping shall be provided at the base of the supporting structure of freestanding signs equal to twice the area of one face of the sign. For example, 50 square feet of sign area requires 100 square feet of landscaped area. H. Buffering Between Uses. A landscape buffer shall be provided between residential and nonresidential uses and between single-family uses and multi-family uses containing three or more units. Buffer areas shall include a minimum five-foot-wide planter strip with shrubs and both deciduous and evergreen trees planted no farther apart than 30 feet on center. I. Sound Walls/Masonry Walls. Where setback and open space areas are screened from public view by walls or similar approved structures, landscaping shall be provided so as to cover 50 percent of the wall by landscape material within five years of securing a Building Permit. J. Parking Lot Landscaping. Parking lot landscaping shall include perimeter planters, trees for parking lot shade, and a combination of continuous planting strips, planting fingers, and parking islands throughout the parking lot. Parking lot landscape requirements applicable to commercial, industrial, mixed-use, and multifamily parking lots with five or more spaces are as follows: 1. Number of Trees Required. One tree for every three parking stalls shall be provided. At maturity, trees must reach a minimum height and spread of 20 feet to form a shade canopy over parking stalls. Smaller ornamental trees may not be used to satisfy this requirement. The minimum width for planters containing a parking lot tree is six feet. Tree selections shall be approved by the Director. See Figure 3-7 (Parking Lot Tree Requirement). 2. Tree Wells. Tree wells in a parking lot shall be a minimum of 40 square feet, with a minimum dimension of five feet. 3. Parking Lots. See Figure 3-8 (Parking Lot Landscaping). a. All parking lots shall include a perimeter landscaped strip at least five feet wide (inside dimension) where the lot adjoins a side or rear property line. The perimeter landscaped strip may include any landscaped yard or landscaped area otherwise required and shall be continuous, except for driveways and pedestrian access. b. All parking lots shall include a minimum 10 feet of landscaping adjacent to any public street, except for driveways and pedestrian access. 4. Existing Trees. Existing mature trees on the site in good health shall be preserved as determined by the Director. 5. Planter Design. All parking lot planters shall be designed to meet the following minimum requirements (see Figure 3-9 (Parking Lot Planter Design)). a. Planters shall be separated from maneuvering and parking areas by a six-inch raised concrete curb or equivalent. b. Landscape planters along the sides of parking stalls shall be a minimum of six feet in width. Figure 3-7 Parking Lot Tree Requirement Figure 3-8 Parking Lot Landscaping Figure 3-9 Parking Lot Planter Design

Source: City of Santa Clara Zoning Code (santaclaraca.gov PDF)URL: https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-a-f/community-development/planning-division/zoningFetched: 10/24/2026