Chapter 18.18 — Special Purpose Zones (OS, PQP)

Santa Clara Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Santa Clara

Sections

  • 18.18.010 – Purpose of Special Purpose Zones 18.18.020 – Special Purpose Land Uses and Permit Requirements 18.18.030 – Development Standards 18.18.040 – Other Applicable Regulations

18.18.010 – Purpose of Special Purpose Zones

  • A. The purpose of this Chapter is to describe the character and intent of each of the City’s special purpose zones, identify any supplemental land use regulations applicable to special purpose zones, and establish development standards for the same.

  • B. The purpose of the individual special purpose zones and the way they are applied are as follows:

    1. Parks/Open Space Zone (OS). The purpose of the OS Parks/Open Space Zone is to provide land areas for improved and unimproved park and open space facilities, managed natural resource areas, and outdoor recreation areas (e.g., neighborhood parks, community parks, regional parks, public golf courses, recreational facilities, nature preserves). It is the intent of this zone to provide open space and outdoor recreational opportunities for the community. This zone implements the Parks/Open Space land use designation in the General Plan.

    2. Public/Quasi-Public Zone (PQP). The purpose of the PQP Public/Quasi-Public Zone is to provide land areas for the construction, use, and occupancy for public and quasipublic uses including, but not limited to government offices, fire and police facilities, transit stations, commercial care centers, religious institutions, schools, cemeteries, hospitals and convalescent care facilities, places of assembly and other facilities that have a unique public character as their primary use. This zone implements the Public/Quasi-Public land use designation in the General Plan.

18.18.020 – Special Purpose Land Uses and Permit Requirements

  • A. Table 2-17 Special Purpose Zone Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements. Table 2-16 indicates the uses allowed within each special purpose zone and any permits required to establish the use, in compliance with Article 6 (Permit Processing Procedures) and Article 7 (Zoning Ordinance Administration).

  • B. Additional Regulations. Where the last column in the Table 2-16 includes a chapter or section number, the regulations in the referenced chapter or section shall apply to the use. Provisions in other sections of this Zoning Code may also apply.

  • C.

    • Definitions. See Article 8 (Definitions) for land use definitions and explanations.

  • D. Zoning Clearance required. Each land use specified in the following land use table as allowed with a “P” as a use permitted-by-right that involves/contains construction activities (e.g., additions, alterations, constructions, reconstruction, or remodeling) shall require the issuance of a Zoning Clearance in compliance with Chapter 18.126 (Zoning Clearances).

Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

July 2025

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Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

Article 2 – Zones, Allowable Uses, and Development Standards

Chapter 18.18

  • E. Uses not Listed. Uses not listed below may be reviewed by the Director to determine if they are similar to those listed and appropriate in this zone and if so, what type of permit is required, in compliance with Section 18.04.040 (Uses Not Classified).

  • F. Temporary Uses. For all allowed temporary uses and specific standards see Section 18.60.190 (Temporary Uses) in Article 4.

Table 2-17

Table 2-17 Table 2-17 Table 2-17 Table 2-17
Special Purpose Zones Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements
Special Purpose Zones
Permit Requirements
P
MUP
CUP
TUP
-
Allowed by Right
Minor Use Permit (Chapter 18.124)
Conditional Use Permit (Chapter 18.124)
Temporary Use Permit (Chapter 18.122)
Not allowed
Land Use
(see Article 8 for land use
definitions).		 OS PQP Additional Regulations
Residential Uses
Supportive Housing Facilities - CUP
Transitional HousingFacilities - CUP
Human Services Uses
Child Day Care Facilities - MUP Section 18.60.070
Community Care Facilities - MUP
Low-barrier Navigation Centers - MUP
Emergency Shelters - MUP Section 18.60.110
MedicalServices,Hospitals - CUP
Medical Services, General - P
Recreation, Education, and Public Assembly Uses
Cemeteries and Mausoleums - CUP
Community Gardens MUP P Section 18.18.040
Libraries P P
Museums - P
Parks and Public Plazas P P
Commercial Recreation
Facilities, Outdoor		 P CUP Section 18.18.040(B)
Places of Assembly - CUP
Public Schools - P
Private Schools - CUP
Public/Private Colleges and
Universities		 - CUP
Theaters and Auditoriums - CUP
Vehicle Oriented Uses
Mobile Fueling Delivery - P
Utility, Transportation, and Communication Uses
Public Safety Facilities - P
Wireless Telecommunications
Facilities and Towers, Co-
location		 - P Chapter 18.66
Wireless Telecommunication
Facilities and Towers, Minor
(less than 70feet)		 MUP MUP Chapter 18.66
Wireless Telecommunication
Facilities and Towers, Major
(70 feet or higher)		 - CUP Chapter 18.66
Transit Stations and Terminals - P
Utility Facilities and
Infrastructure		 CUP CUP

Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

July 2025 2-55

18 Attachment 1:75

Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA CODE

Chapter 18.18

Special Purpose Zones

Table 2-17

Special Purpose Zones Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements

Special Purpose Zones
Permit Requirements		 Special Purpose Zones
Permit Requirements		 Special Purpose Zones
Permit Requirements		 Special Purpose Zones
Permit Requirements
P
MUP
CUP
TUP
-
Allowed by Right
Minor Use Permit (Chapter 18.124)
Conditional Use Permit (Chapter 18.124)
Temporary Use Permit (Chapter 18.122)
Not allowed
Land Use
(see Article 8 for land use
definitions).		 OS PQP Additional Regulations
Electric Power Plants - MUP Section 18.60.260
Diesel Back-up Generators - MUP Section 18.60.260
Water Wells - MUP
Photovoltaic Systems - P
Fuel Cells - P
Retail, Service, and Office Uses
Mobile Food Vendors - P/MUP 18.60.280
Offices - P
Outdoor Dining and Seating - MUP
Retail Establishments, Ancillary - MUP

18.18.030 – Special Purpose Development Standards

  • A. Table 2-17 Special Purpose Zone Development Standards. The intent of the special purpose zone development standards table is to clearly and precisely establish the basic site and structure regulations that apply to all developments in each of the special purpose zones. The table also indicates where additional site and structure requirements, including, but not limited to, off-street parking, landscaping, signage, fences and obstructions, and performance standards, apply to special purpose zones.

  • B. Density. Maximum density standards shall be consistent with the General Plan or applicable Master Plan, Specific Plan, or Area Plan.

  • C. Zoning Map. The boundaries, designations, and locations of the zones established by this Zoning Code shall be shown upon the map(s) entitled "Zoning Map for City of Santa Clara " and referred to in this Zoning Code as the Zoning Map. Any additional maps adopted shall also be a part of this Zoning Code by reference. This Zoning Code, together with the Zoning Map, is hereby adopted in compliance with current State planning, zoning, and development laws. Changes in the boundaries of any identified zones shall be made by ordinance in compliance with Chapter 18.142 (Amendments).

Table 2-18 Special Purpose Zone Development Standards

Development Feature
(minimum unless otherwise
indicated)		 OS PQP Additional Regulations
Setbacks(minimum) -Property lines are measured in feet, with those adjacent to the
street measured from the face of the curb., adopted plan line, or edge of right-of-way.
See Code Section 18.30.050 for setback measurement standards and methods.
Front 10 10
Side, Corner 10 10
Side, Interior 10 10

Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

2-56 July 2025

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Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

Article 2 – Zones, Allowable Uses, and Development Standards

Chapter 18.18

Table 2-18 Special Purpose Zone Development Standards

Development Feature
(minimum unless otherwise
indicated)		 OS PQP Additional Regulations
Rear 10 10
Height(maximum) measured in feet
Height(within 20 feet of the
R1 and R2 zones)		 25 32
Height(all other zones) 32 60
Maximum Number of Stories 2 6
Additional Regulations
Fences, Walls, Hedges, and
Screens		 Chapter 18.34
Landscaping Standards Chapter 18.36
Open Space Standards City Code Chapter 17.35
Off-Street Parking
Regulations and Design
Standards		 Chapter 18.38
Performance Standards Chapter 18.40
Sign Standards Chapter 18.42
Solid Waste Enclosures Section18.30.060

18.18.040 – Other Applicable Regulations

A. General Special Purpose Regulations.

  • a. Community Gardens. Community gardens are only allowed as an ancillary use to parks and public plazas.

  • b. Wireless Telecommunication Facilities. For height exceptions for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities see Chapter 18.66.

  • B. Open Space Zone (OS). Golf Courses and ancillary clubhouses are the only allowed Commercial Recreation Facilities, Outdoor uses in the OS Zone.

Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

July 2025 2-57

18 Attachment 1:77

Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA CODE

Chapter 18.18

Special Purpose Zones