Earlier editions: 2026-07
Municipal code
Santa Clara Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of Santa Clara, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Last updated
- 2026-10-04
- Contents
- 18 titles · 2,645 sections
- Jurisdiction
- Santa Clara
Contents
▸Title CHA — The Charter of the City of Santa Clara California
Overview- Article I — Name of City
- Article II — Boundaries
- Article III — Succession
- Article IV — Powers
- Article V — Form of Government
- Article VI — The Elective Officers
- Article VII — The Council
- Article VIII — City Manager, Ordinances, Meetings
- Article IX — Officers and Employees
- Article X — Appointive Boards and Commissions
- Article XI — Civil Service
- Article XII — Retirement
- Article XIII — Fiscal Administration
- Article XIV — Franchises
- Article XV — Reserved
- Article XVI — Reserved
- Article XVII — Reserved Powers, State Election Code and Amendments to State Elections Code
- Article XVIII — Miscellaneous
▸Title 2 — Administration and Personnel
Overview- Chapter 2.05 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 2.10 — CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.15 — CITY MANAGER
- Chapter 2.20 — CITY CLERK
- Chapter 2.25 — CITY ATTORNEY
- Chapter 2.29 — OFFICE OF THE CITY AUDITOR
- Chapter 2.30 — INDEPENDENT EXTERNAL AUDITOR
- Chapter 2.35 — DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 2.40 — ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.45 — STREET DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.50 — AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.55 — BUILDING MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.60 — UTILITIES ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 2.65 — ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.70 — WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.75 — PLANNING AND INSPECTION DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.80 — POLICE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.85 — FIRE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.90 — LIBRARY DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.95 — COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.100 — PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.105 — FINANCE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.110 — HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.115 — LICENSE OR PERMIT – GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AND APPEAL PROCEDURE
▸Chapter 2.120 — BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
- Chapter 2.125 — MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
▸Chapter 2.130 — POLITICAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM ACT
Overview- Article I — Findings and Purposes
- Article II — Definitions
- Article III — Contribution Limits
- Article IV — Voluntary Expenditure Limits
- Article V — Surplus Campaign Funds
- Article VI — Enforcement
- Article VII — Additional Disclosure Requirements
- Article VIII — Agency Responsibility
- Article IX — Miscellaneous Provisions
- Article X — Dark Money
- Chapter 2.140 — EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND DISASTER COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.145 — RESTRICTIONS ON ACTIVITIES OF CITY OFFICIALS AND CERTAIN CITY EMPLOYEES
- Chapter 2.150 — PAYMENT OF PREVAILING WAGES
- Chapter 2.155 — REGULATION OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES
- Chapter 2.160 — CALENDARS OF CERTAIN CITY OFFICIALS
▸Title 3 — Revenue and Finance
Overview- Chapter 3.10 — UNIFORM SALES AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.15 — DWELLING UNIT TAX
- Chapter 3.20 — MINIMUM WAGE ORDINANCE
- Chapter 3.25 — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
- Chapter 3.30 — UTILITY SERVICE EXCISE TAX
- Chapter 3.35 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
- Chapter 3.40 — BUSINESS TAX
▸Chapter 3.45 — INSURANCE PROGRAM BOND LAW
- Chapter 3.50 — SPECIAL GAS TAX STREET IMPROVEMENT FUND
- Chapter 3.55 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
▸Title 5 — Business Licenses and Regulations
Overview▸Chapter 5.10 — CLOSING-OUT AND FAKE SALES
- Chapter 5.15 — CHRISTMAS TREE, PUMPKINS AND OTHER SEASONAL SALES LOTS
▸Chapter 5.20 — GAS, OIL, ELECTRIC AND WATER FRANCHISES
- Chapter 5.25 — CABLE SYSTEM FRANCHISES
- Chapter 5.26 — STATE VIDEO SERVICE FRANCHISES
▸Chapter 5.30 — PAWNBROKERS AND SECONDHAND DEALERS
- Chapter 5.40 — MASSAGE SERVICES AND MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 5.45 — FORTUNETELLING
- Chapter 5.50 — PEEP SHOWS
- Chapter 5.55 — PRIVATE PATROL OPERATOR AND REGULATIONS
- Chapter 5.60 — PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT
- Chapter 5.61 — PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT GENERALLY
- Chapter 5.65 — CARNIVALS, CIRCUSES, TENT SHOWS, PROMOTIONAL SHOWS, AND SIMILAR BUSINESS ENTERP…
- Chapter 5.70 — CARD ROOMS
- Chapter 5.75 — BINGO
- Chapter 5.80 — AUTOMATIC AMUSEMENT GAMES
- Chapter 5.85 — PUBLIC DANCE HALLS AND PUBLIC DANCES
▸Chapter 5.90 — PUBLIC BENCHES
- Chapter 5.95 — PROCEDURE – SUSPENSION, REVOCATION
- Chapter 5.100 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
▸Title 6 — Animals
Overview- Chapter 6.05 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 6.10 — IMPOUNDMENT OF ANIMALS
- Chapter 6.15 — KEEPING OF CERTAIN ANIMALS
- Chapter 6.20 — ABATEMENT OF ANIMAL PESTS
- Chapter 6.28 — BEEKEEPING
- Chapter 6.30 — DOGS AND CATS
- Chapter 6.35 — ANIMAL ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 6.40 — DANGEROUS AND EXOTIC ANIMALS
- Chapter 6.45 — SALE OF ANIMALS
- Chapter 6.50 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
▸Title 8 — Health and Safety
Overview- Chapter 8.05 — ALARM SYSTEMS
- Chapter 8.10 — FOOD AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 8.15 — WEEDS
- Chapter 8.20 — MOSQUITO ABATEMENT
- Chapter 8.25 — ACCUMULATION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE
- Chapter 8.26 — EDIBLE FOOD RECOVERY
- Chapter 8.30 — PUBLIC NUISANCES
- Chapter 8.35 — SMOKING AND TOBACCO REGULATIONS
- Chapter 8.37 — SMOKING LOUNGES
- Chapter 8.40 — FALSE ALARM REGULATION
- Chapter 8.45 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
- Chapter 8.50 — PORTABLE AUTOMOTIVE SPRAY-FINISHING OPERATIONS UTILIZING FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTI…
- Chapter 8.55 — GRAFFITI
- Chapter 8.60 — UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
▸Title 9 — Public Peace, Morals and Welfare
Overview- Chapter 9.05 — IN GENERAL
▸Chapter 9.10 — REGULATION OF NOISE AND VIBRATION
- Chapter 9.15 — REGULATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN ADVERTISING MATERIAL INCLUDING HANDBI…
- Chapter 9.20 — RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN COMMERCIAL DRUG PARAPHERNALIA ACTIVITIES
- Chapter 9.25 — NEWS RACKS
- Chapter 9.30 — TRESPASSING
- Chapter 9.35 — REGULATION OF USE OF PARKS BY LARGE GROUPS
- Chapter 9.40 — REGULATION OF SELF-SERVICE DISPLAY OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS
- Chapter 9.45 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
- Chapter 9.55 — PROHIBITION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
- Chapter 9.60 — FOOD AND BUILDING SERVICE WORKER RETENTION
- Chapter 9.65 — HOTEL SERVICE WORKER RETENTION
- Chapter 9.70 — COVID-19 WORKER RECALL PROTECTIONS
▸Title 10 — Vehicles and Traffic
Overview- Chapter 10.05 — MOTOR VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
- Chapter 10.06 — SPECTATORS PROHIBITED AT ILLEGAL SPEED CONTESTS AND RECKLESS DRIVING EXHIBITIONS
- Chapter 10.07 — TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES
- Chapter 10.10 — VEHICLES – ABANDONED, WRECKED, DISMANTLED OR INOPERATIVE
- Chapter 10.15 — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
- Chapter 10.20 — FUNERAL ESCORT SERVICES
- Chapter 10.25 — VEHICLE PARKING, STOPPING, OR STANDING VIOLATION APPEAL PROCEDURE
- Chapter 10.30 — REGULATION OF OFF-STREET OPERATION OF CERTAIN VEHICLES
- Chapter 10.35 — SHARED MOBILITY DEVICES
- Chapter 10.40 — RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING
- Chapter 10.45 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
▸Title 12 — Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places
Overview- Chapter 12.05 — OBSTRUCTIONS, LOITERING AND MISCELLANY
- Chapter 12.10 — SIGNS ON STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
- Chapter 12.15 — PARADES AND PROCESSIONS
- Chapter 12.25 — EXCAVATION AND USE OF CITY RIGHTS-OF-WAY
▸Chapter 12.30 — SIDEWALKS
- Chapter 12.35 — TREES AND SHRUBS
▸Chapter 12.40 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICTS
- Chapter 12.45 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
- Chapter 12.50 — UNPERMITTED CAMPING AND LODGING ON PUBLIC STREETS, PUBLICLY OWNED PROPERTY, AN…
- Chapter 12.60 — FILM AND VIDEO PRODUCTION
▸Title 13 — Public Services
Overview- Chapter 13.05 — OPERATION OF AN ELECTRIC UTILITY
▸Chapter 13.10 — SEWERS
▸Chapter 13.15 — WATER
- Chapter 13.25 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
▸Title 15 — Buildings and Construction
Overview- Chapter 15.05 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
- Chapter 15.10 — MOVING BUILDINGS
- Chapter 15.15 — BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.17 — RESIDENTIAL CODE
- Chapter 15.18 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
- Chapter 15.20 — ELECTRICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.30 — MECHANICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.35 — PLUMBING CODE
- Chapter 15.36 — ENERGY CODE
- Chapter 15.37 — HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.38 — GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
- Chapter 15.39 — EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCESS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
- Chapter 15.40 — DANGEROUS BUILDING CODE
▸Chapter 15.45 — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
Overview- Article I — Scope and Administration
- Article II — Applicability
- Article III — Duties and Powers of the Floodplain Administrator
- Article IV — Site Plans and Documentation
- Article V — Variances
- Article VI — Violations
- Article VII — Definitions
- Article VIII — Subdivisions
- Article IX — Site Improvement
- Article X — Manufactured Homes
- Article XI — Accessory Structures
- Article XII — Flood Control Projects
- Chapter 15.50 — UNIFORM BUILDING SECURITY CODE
- Chapter 15.55 — SEISMIC HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
- Chapter 15.60 — MUNICIPAL FIRE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CODE
▸Chapter 15.65 — WOOD BURNING APPLIANCES
- Chapter 15.70 — NUMBERING OF BUILDINGS
- Chapter 15.75 — EXISTING BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.80 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
- Chapter 15.90 — SOLAR PERMITS
▸Title 16 — Local Improvements
Overview▸Chapter 16.05 — LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS – GENERALLY
▸Chapter 16.10 — LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS – ACQUISITION AND IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE
Overview- Article I — Investigation Proceedings
- Article II — Proceeding Under Improvement Act of 1911
- Article III — Proceeding Under Street Opening Act of 1903
- Article IV — Proceeding Under Municipal Improvement Act of 1913
- Article V — Parking Districts
- Article VI — Maintenance Districts
- Article VII — Municipal Park Improvement Districts
- Article VIII — Santa Clara Downtown Business Improvement District
- Article IX — Santa Clara Tourism Improvement District
▸Chapter 16.15 — ASSESSMENT BOND PROCEDURES
Overview- Article I — Generally
- Article II — Bond Plan A – Lot Bonds
- Article III — Bond Plan B – District Bonds
- Article IV — Bond Plan C – District Liability Bonds
- Article V — Bond Plan D – Ad Valorem Land Bonds
- Article VI — Bond Plan E – Ad Valorem Realty Bonds
- Article VII — Bond Plan G – Vehicle Off-Street Parking Bonds
- Article VIII — Bond Plan H – Annual Benefit Assessment Bonds
- Article IX — Bond Anticipation Notes
- Chapter 16.25 — ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES
▸Title 17 — Development
Overview▸Chapter 17.05 — SUBDIVISIONS
Overview- Article I — General Provisions
- Article II — Definitions and Responsibilities
- Article III — Maps Required
- Article IV — Subdivision of Five or More Parcels
- Article V — Subdivision of Four or Fewer Parcels (Minor Subdivisions)
- Article VI — Dedications and Reservations
- Article VII — Subdivision Improvements
- Article VIII — Vesting Tentative Maps
- Article IX — Penalties
▸Chapter 17.10 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
Overview- Article I — Purpose
- Article II — Authority for Adoption
- Article III — Definitions
- Article IV — Applications and Forms
- Article V — Hearing Before Planning Commission
- Article VI — Hearing Before City Council
- Article VII — Notice Provisions and Procedure for Public Hearings Before Planning Commission o…
- Article VIII — Review – Certificate of Compliance, Termination or Modification
- Article IX — Amendment or Cancellation of Agreement by Mutual Consent
- Article X — Miscellaneous Provisions
- Chapter 17.15 — PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS
- Chapter 17.20 — PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL STADIUM GROUND LEASE
▸Chapter 17.25 — BAYSHORE NORTH PROJECT ENHANCEMENT AUTHORITY
▸Chapter 17.30 — STADIUM AUTHORITY PROCUREMENT POLICY
- Chapter 17.35 — PARK AND RECREATIONAL LAND
- Chapter 17.40 — CITYWIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
- Title 18 — Zoning
- Title SR — Statutory References for California Cities
- Title CRT — Cross Reference Table
- Title OL — Ordinance List and Disposition Table