Chapter 18.116 — Off-Site Parking Permits

Sections

18.118.010 – Purpose 18.118.020 – Intent 18.118.030 – Administrative Off-Site Parking Permit Required 18.118.040 – Procedure for Granting Off-Site Parking Permits

• 18.118.050 – Conditions of Approval 18.118.060 – Appeals 18.118.070 – Off-Site Parking Permit Requirements

• 18.118.080 – Post-Decision Procedures

Parking requirements for uses in all nonresidential and mixed-use zones may be satisfied on other parcels or sites through approval of an Off-Site Parking Permit in compliance with this Chapter. The Off-Site Parking Permit shall be obtained by the owner of the property providing the off-site parking, subject to satisfying the specific parking demands on his/her own site. It is a violation of this Zoning Code to operate a parking lot for off-site uses without first obtaining an Off-Site Parking Permit and violators will be subject to the enforcement provisions specified in Article 7 (Zoning Code Administration).

The intent of this Chapter is to establish a process for conditionally allowing off-site parking as a means to satisfy on-site parking requirements for any use in nonresidential and mixed-use zones. Off-site parking facilitates parking consolidation, and thereby may decrease the amount of impervious surfaces, increase space available for landscaping, and optimize land use efficiency. By allowing the flexibility to provide required parking off-site, this Chapter enables more efficient use of existing parking spaces, in concert with enabling nonresidential and mixed-use land uses to meet required peak parking demands.

All property owners, except the City, Sports and Open Space Authority, Housing Authority, Bayshore North Project Enhancement Authority, and Stadium Authority, who seek to provide parking on their parcel or site for a project or use located elsewhere, shall first obtain an Administrative Off-Site Parking Permit. Applications for Off-Site Parking Permits shall include all of the following:

• A. Aerial Photo(s). Aerial photo(s) illustrating the boundaries of the parcel or site generating the parking demand and the parcel or site providing the off-site parking. Aerial photo(s) shall clearly indicate the distance between the project site and the off-site parking locations. A pedestrian path of travel between the parcels or sites shall also be illustrated on the aerial photo(s).

• B. Site Plan. A site plan for the site or parcel where the off-site parking will be provided. The site plan shall clearly illustrate all parking spaces, the dimensions of parking spaces, a parking space count, any parking spaces reserved for on-site use(s), driveways, curb cuts, drive aisles, landscaping, signs, and light standards.

Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

July 2025 6-15

18 Attachment 1:388

Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

Chapter 18.116

Off Site Parking Permits

• C. Written Description. A written description of the off-site parking, which shall include, but not be limited to all of the following:

  1. Days/hours of availability for off-site parking;

  2. The term of the off-site parking availability (e.g., annual, until sale of property, etc.);

  3. Responsible party for off-site parking management;

  4. A written statement acknowledging that designated off-site parking spaces are exclusively for the benefit of off-site uses, and are not available for concurrent use to meet on-site parking demand;

  5. Description/count of parking spaces available under the Off-Site Parking Permit; and

  6. Existing uses on the parcels or sites providing the off-site parking, and the associated parking requirement.

• D. Fee. Application submittal fees in compliance with Section 18.112.040 (Application and Other Related Fees).

The procedure for granting Off-Site Parking Permits by the Director shall be administrative; provided, that all of the requirements of this Zoning Code are met. The Director may approve or conditionally approve a Off-Site Parking Permit only after first making all of the following findings:

• A. The establishment or operation of the off-site parking, under the circumstances of the particular case, is essential or desirable to the public convenience or welfare;

• B. The off-site parking will not be detrimental to any of the following:

  1. The health, safety, peace, comfort, and general welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of the proposed off-site parking;

  2. Property or improvements in the neighborhood of the proposed off-site parking; or

  3. The general welfare of the City;

• C. The off-site parking will not impair the integrity and character of the zone in which the site is located;

• D. The off-site parking is in keeping with the purposes and intent of this Zoning Code; and

• E. Those sites providing parking for events at sports or entertainment venues located north of State Highway 101 are in compliance with the requirements of any City-adopted parking program for this area.

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Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

6-16 July 2025

18 Attachment 1:389

Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA CODE

Chapter 18.116

Article 6 – Permit Processing Procedures

In the event the applicant or others affected by the decision are not satisfied with the decision of the Director, within seven calendar days following the decision a written appeal may be made to the Planning Commission. In the event that there is any dissatisfaction with the action of the Planning Commission, the applicant, others affected, or the Council may appeal the action to the Council, in compliance with the appeal provisions specified in Chapter 18.144 (Appeals).

Off-Site Parking Permits shall be managed by the owner of the property providing the off-site parking. The property owner responsible for the Off-Site Parking Permit shall ensure compliance with all of the following requirements:

• A. Conditions of Approval. All conditions of approval imposed on the approved Off-Site Parking Permit.

• B. Adopted Parking Program. Off-Site Parking Permits for sites providing parking for events at sports and entertainment venues located north of State Highway 101 shall comply with all requirements of any Council-adopted parking program for this area, including payment of any fees necessary to mitigate the costs affiliated with the parking program.

• C. Chapter 18.38. All applicable provisions of Chapter 18.38 (Off-Street Parking Regulations and Design Standards).

• D. Solid Waste and Recycling Receptacles. Solid waste and recycling receptacles shall be provided for use by individuals utilizing the off-site parking lot. Any solid waste or recyclables blown or thrown into the public right-of-way or onto adjacent properties by individuals utilizing the off-site parking lot shall be picked up in a timely manner.

• E. Lighting. Adequate lighting facilities shall be provided and maintained on the off-site parking lot, consistent with the site plan approved with the Off-Site Parking Permit application. Any lighting shall be directed and maintained so as not to interfere with persons using any public street or improvement, or unnecessarily with the use and enjoyment of any adjacent property.

F. Signs. The off-site parking lot shall not be used for advertising, unless otherwise allowed in an adopted parking program. A sign(s) may be installed to indicate the name of the business, activity or event that the parking lot serves. Necessary traffic-control and disclaimer signs are also allowed and not included in the maximum permissible sign area. All signs shall be shown on the site plan. The area of all signs shall be calculated in compliance with this Zoning Code. The maximum permissible signage shall be one sign per each entrance to the parking lot, with the maximum size of each sign not exceeding 12 square feet, excluding the temporary and permanent signs otherwise allowed for the primary use on the property and any temporary signs allowed as a component of an adopted parking program.

• G. Security. For special event parking, security may be required for the duration of the event.

• H. Parking Lot Surfacing. The area reserved for parking and all vehicular and pedestrian access ways shall be appropriately surfaced and maintained to the satisfaction of the Director.

• I. Landscaping. Existing site landscaping and landscape features, such as water features and sculptures, shall be maintained consistent with the requirements of this Zoning Code.

Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

July 2025 6-17

18 Attachment 1:390

Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

Chapter 18.116

Off Site Parking Permits

• J. Existing Nonconforming Conditions. For purposes of this Chapter, physical conditions on the site that are legally nonconforming with respect to current standards of the applicable zone shall not be required to be rectified as a condition of permit approval.

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Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

July 2025

6-18

18 Attachment 1:391

Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA CODE

Chapter 18.118

Article 6 – Permit Processing Procedures