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Chapter 18.20 — Planned Development Zone (PD)

Santa Clara Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Santa Clara

Sections

18.20.010 – Purpose of Planned Development Zones 18.20.020 – Planned Development Uses and Permit Requirements 18.20.030 – Development Standards

18.20.010 – Purpose of Planned Development Zones

  • A. The purpose of the PD Planned Development Zone is to designate property with a minimum project size of 25 acres, where special consideration of the site and surroundings are necessary to allow creative development solutions that do not meet the allowed use regulations and/or development standards of the base zone. It is the intent of the PD Zone to allow modification of requirements established by other ordinances and diversification in the relationship of different uses, structures, parcel sizes, and open spaces, while ensuring compliance with and implementation of the General Plan.

18.20.020 – Planned Development Zone Land Uses and Permit Requirements

  • A. Planned Development Allowable Land Uses. Land uses allowed in the PD zone shall be consistent with the General Plan land use designation and description. Fuel cells and photovoltaic arrays are a permitted use in all PD Planned Development zones.

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

18.20.030 – Planned Development Zone Standards

  • A. Planned Development Zone Development Standards. The development standards allowed in the PD zone shall be consistent with the General Plan land use designation and description. Any changes to an approved PD Zone project shall be in compliance with Section 18.128.080 (Changes to an Approved Project).

  • 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).

Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

2-58 July 2025

18 Attachment 1:78

Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

Article 2 – Zones, Allowable Uses, and Development Standards

Chapter 18.22

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▸ Contents — Santa Clara Zoning Code
Santa Clara Zoning Code
  1. Article 1 — Enactment and Applicability
  2. Chapter 18.02 — Purpose and Applicability of Zoning Code
  3. Chapter 18.04 — Interpretation of the Zoning Code Provisions
  4. Chapter 18.06 — Zoning Map and Zones
  5. Chapter 18.10 — Residential Zones (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, UC,…
  6. Chapter 18.12 — Commercial Zones (C-C, C-N, C-R)
  7. Chapter 18.14 — Mixed Use Zones (MU-NC, MU-CC, MU-RC, MU-MD, M…
  8. Chapter 18.16 — Office and Industrial Zones (LO-RD, HO-RD, LI,…
  9. Chapter 18.18 — Special Purpose Zones (OS, PQP)
  10. Chapter 18.20 — Planned Development Zone (PD)
  11. Chapter 18.22 — Lawrence Station Area Plan Zoning District (LS…
  12. Chapter 18.24 — Two-Unit Dwelling Residential Development and …
  13. Chapter 18.26 — Downtown Form-Based Code
  14. Chapter 18.30 — Site Planning and General Development Standards
  15. Chapter 18.32 — Residential Accessory Structures
  16. Chapter 18.34 — Fences, Walls, Hedges, and Screens
  17. Chapter 18.36 — Landscaping Standards
  18. Chapter 18.38 — Off-Street Parking Regulations and Design Stan…
  19. Chapter 18.40 — Performance Standards
  20. Chapter 18.42 — Sign Standards
  21. Chapter 18.60 — Standards for Specific Land Uses
  22. Chapter 18.62 — Adult Business Uses
  23. Chapter 18.64 — Density Bonus and Affordable Housing
  24. Chapter 18.66 — Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
  25. Chapter 18.90 — General Nonconforming Provisions
  26. Chapter 18.92 — Nonconforming Structures
  27. Chapter 18.94 — Nonconforming Uses
  28. Chapter 18.96 — Nonconforming Parcels
  29. Chapter 18.98 — Other Specific Nonconforming Provisions
  30. Chapter 18.110 — General Provisions
  31. Chapter 18.112 — Application Processing Procedures
  32. Chapter 18.114 — Conditional and Minor Use Permits
  33. Chapter 18.116 — Off-Site Parking Permits
  34. Chapter 18.118 — Reasonable Accommodation
  35. Chapter 18.120 — Architectural Review
  36. Chapter 18.122 — Temporary Use Permits
  37. Chapter 18.124 — Variances and Minor Modifications
  38. Chapter 18.126 — Zoning Clearances
  39. Chapter 18.128 — Permit Implementation, Time Limits, and Exten…
  40. Chapter 18.130 — Historic Preservation
  41. Title 18 — Zoning Code

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