§ 1.10

This ordinance shall be known and cited as the Zoning Ordinance of the County of Santa Clara. All references to the Zoning Ordinance shall refer to this ordinance and amendments thereto.

The Zoning Ordinance divides the unincorporated territory of the County into geographical districts designated as zoning districts. Groups of these districts are designated as zoning for rural uses, resource conservation, open space and environmental protection, while the remainder are designated as zoning districts for urban uses. The Zoning Ordinance establishes regulations limiting the use of land and structures, the location, height and bulk of structures, the open space about buildings and principal uses, and provides for such other measures that will accomplish the purposes of the Zoning Ordinance and the General Plan.

The Zoning Ordinance is adopted to promote and protect the public health, safety, peace, comfort, convenience and general welfare, and for the following more particularly specified purposes:

A.

To implement the General Plan and to guide and manage the future growth of the unincorporated areas within the County of Santa Clara in accordance with that plan, as described in the goals and objectives of the General Plan;

B.

To regulate land use and development in a manner that will encourage and support the beneficial use and orderly development of lands within the County;

C.

To minimize adverse effects on the public resulting from the inappropriate creation, location, use or design of building sites, buildings, land uses, parking areas, or other forms of land development by providing appropriate standards for development;

D.

To protect and enhance the significant natural, historic, archeological and scenic resources within the County as identified by the County General Plan; and

E.

To assist the public in identifying and understanding regulations affecting the development and use of land.

CHAPTER 1.20. - APPLICATION OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE