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Chapter 18.26 — Downtown Form-Based Code

10.3. General Standards

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

Where utilized, these elements are subject to the following:

  • A Materials, style, design, and associated landscaping and other features shall be consistent with the building's architecture and neighborhood character

  • B Architectural projections of traditionally-styled buildings shall have visible supports in the form of projecting beams or braces/brackets

  • C An Architectural Projection shall be contained within a single Massing Increment; it shall not overlap the division between Massing Increments This is a requirement of all architectural elements per Section 7.3

TABLE 10-1 ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTIONS

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Location [1]
Gallery Required Arcade Required Elsewhere in
& Gallery Allowed Overlay Main Street South Downtown
Overlays
Projection beyond the facade
Up to 2’ min from ROW
Stoop Not Allowed or sidewalk
Porch Not Allowed
8’ min and up to 2’ min
Terrace Not Allowed from ROW or sidewalk [2]
6’ min and up to 2’ min
Dooryard Not Allowed from ROW or sidewalk
Bay Window 3’ max
Balcony 5' max [3]
Awning/Canopy 10' max
Roof Eave/Cornice
5' max
Assembly
Vertical Theater
See Section 11.3.H
Marquee
Arcade Not Allowed 15' min; 20' max Not Allowed Not Allowed
Gallery 12' min; 15' max Not Allowed Not Allowed 12' min; 15' max
Type of Projection
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Notes

  • 1 See Figure 10-1 for locations of Overlays and Main St South.

  • 2 As a result, a Porch or Terrace may only occur within setbacks of 10' or more.

  • 3 For occupiable balconies, the clear depth of occupiable space, measured from the balcony doors to the inside of balcony railing shall be

  • 4'–6" minimum. Balconies may project and/or be recessed into the facade to maintain this minimum depth. See Section 10.4.F for more.

18 Attachment 1:143

Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA CODE

53 | Chapter 10: Architectural Projections

FIGURE 10-1 | ARCADE & GALLERY OVERLAYS (See Sections 10 4 H & I for more standards)

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E C
A
I G
90' * 90'
*
90'
J H F South D B
Main St
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LEGEND & STANDARDS

  • Gallery Required. Galleries are required to line a minimum of 50% of the length of each block in the Gallery Required Overlay

  • Gallery Allowed. Galleries are allowed to wrap the corners of blocks and extend onto North-South streets at these locations, provided that the building setback on the North-South street is adequate to allow the minimum required gallery projection dimension listed in Table 10-1

  • Arcade Required. Arcades shall line Central Green and have a public access easement, allowing them to serve as a continuous covered sidewalk around Central Green

  • Arcade Allowed. Arcades are permitted on buildings along Lafayette St to extend the sidewalk environment and create a welcoming edge to Downtown

  • Galleries at Franklin Square. If Franklin Square is relocated to this block per Precise Plan Figure 3–2 , Galleries lining Franklin Square are optional

  • Galleries near the Theater. Any Gallery lining block B shall stop at least 20' away from any Theatre Marquee

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Theater Marquee

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Projecting Roof Eave

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Bay Windows

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Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

54 | City of Santa Clara Downtown Form-Base Code

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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
    Overview
    1. 1.1. Introduction
    2. 1.2. Applicability
    3. 1.3. Rules of Construction
    4. 1.4. Architectural Review
    5. 1.5. Public Notice
    6. 1.6. Director Interpretations
    7. 1.7. Deviation from Standards
    8. 2.1. A New Code for Downtown Santa Clara
    9. 3.1. Summary of Regulating Topics
    10. 4.1. The Downtown Zone
    11. 4.2. Character Overlays
    12. 5.2. Applicability
    13. 5.1. Intent
    14. 5.3. Standards
    15. 6.1. Intent
    16. 6.2. Applicability
    17. 6.3. Standards
    18. 6.3 Standards (continued)
    19. 6.3 Standards (continued)
    20. 7.1. Intent
    21. 7.2. Applicability
    22. 7.3. Standards
    23. 7.3 Standards (continued)
    24. 7.3 Standards (continued)
    25. 8.1. Intent and Applicability
    26. 8.2. Standards
    27. 8.2 Standards (continued)
    28. 8.2 Standards (continued)
    29. 9.1. Intent
    30. 9.3. General Standards
    31. 9.2. Applicability
    32. 9.4. Standards by Frontage Type
    33. 10.1. Intent
    34. 10.2. Applicability
    35. 10.3. General Standards
    36. 10.4. Standards & Guidelines by Type
    37. 11.1. Intent and Applicability
    38. 11.2. General Standards
    39. 11.3. Standards & Guidelines by Type
    40. 12.1. Building Use
    41. 12.2. Specified Use Definitions
    42. 12.3. CUP Conditions of Approval
    43. 12.4. Parking Requirements
    44. 12.5. Parking Design Standards
    45. 13.1. Introduction
    46. 13.2. Specific to Waste and Utility Placement
    47. 13.3. Specific to Site Walls
    48. 13.4. Specific to Lighting
    49. 13.5. On-Site Open Space
    50. 13.6. Elevating a Place with Art
    51. Article 3 — Site Planning and General Development Standards
  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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