Santa Clara Zoning Code § 10.4 Standards & Guidelines by Type

Most of the architectural projections types carry additional standards and guidelines These are the Stoop, Porch, Terrace, Dooryard, Balcony, Awning/Canopy, Arcade, and Gallery, which are detailed here and on the following pages Standards for Vertical Theater Marquees and other signs are including in the following chapter (see Chapter 11 )

10.4.A. STOOP

10.4.B. PORCH

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E
A D
C
C D
G
B
B
A
E

A Stoop is a stairway and landing leading directly from the right of way to an elevated building entrance

Porches are roofed, unenclosed rooms attached to the exterior of a building that provide access and comfortable semi-private outdoor social spaces that help activate the public realm

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Design Standards MIN MAX
A Stoop width 4‘ 8‘
B Stoop depth (not including stairs) 4‘ 8‘
C Stoop floor height [3] 1 5 4‘
D Planter/fence height (including - 3‘
height of vegetation)
E Entry Recession depth 0 5' 6‘

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Design Standards MIN MAX
A Porch depth (excluding stairs) [1] 8' -
B Porch width 10' -
C Porch column height [2] 8 5' 12'
D Floor height [3] 1 5' 4'
E Between porch and front PL 2' -

Additional Standards & Guidelines

Additional Standards & Guidelines

• Porches may be used to provide access to multiple front doors of ground-floor units

• The exterior stairway may be perpendicular or parallel to the adjacent sidewalk When parallel to the sidewalk, landscape of 2 feet should be provided between the side of stair and the sidewalk

• Porches may also wrap around building corners This is particularly appropriate on corner lots

Notes

• Adjoining stoops should be limited to two entries A stoop may also provide access to a common entry

  • 1 Between building facade and end of porch deck.

  • 2 From porch floor to top of porch columns.

• Gates are discouraged

• 3 Measured from grade at right of way.

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10.4.C. TERRACE

10.4.D. DOORYARD

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B C
A C
D
A
B

A Terrace is an enclosed area outside of an elevated ground floor, usually enclosed by a low wall or fence

A Dooryard is an enclosed area outside of an at grade first floor, usually enclosed by a low wall or fence

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Design Standards MIN MAX Design Standards MIN MAX
A Depth, clear 8' - A Depth, clear 8' -
B Finish level above sidewalk - 4' B Finish level above sidewalk - 4'
Length of terrace - 50' Length of dooryard - 30'
C Distance between stairways - 50' C Distance between entrances - 50'
Additional Standards & Guidelines Additional Standards & Guidelines

• Door and window design should be appropriate for street-fronting facades

• Door and window design should be appropriate for street-fronting facades

10.4.E. BAY WINDOW

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A B
C

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D

A Bay Window functions like an enclosed balcony An alcove-like portion of an interior space projects out from the facade

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Design Standards MIN MAX
A Projection beyond facade - 3'
B Width 4' 8'
Clear height above ground in
C Shopfront and Retail-Ready 12' -
Overlays
D Clear height above ground N/A -
elsewhere
Additional Standards & Guidelines

• Bay windows shall not comprise more than 20% of a facade's surface area

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10.4.F. BALCONY

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A A
C C C
B B B
Occupiable balcony, projecting from the facade Occupiable balcony, partially projecting and recessed Juliette balcony with space for pots

A Balcony is a space projecting from an upper floor which is enclosed by a railing and accessible from a door or doors An occupiable balcony provides usable outdoor space, while an unoccupiable balcony (or "Juliette" balcony) simply provides a railing so that doors on the facade can be opened, making the interior room itself feel like a balcony space

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Occupiable Balcony Juliette Balcony
Design Standards
MIN MAX MIN MAX
A Clear depth of occupiable space, measured from the 4 5' - N/A N/A
balcony door(s) to inside of railing
B Projection beyond facade - 5' - 1 5'
Width 4 5' 16 [1] 3' 10'
C
Additional Standards & Guidelines

• Occupiable balconies shall either project (see upper left image), be recessed into the facade, or a combination of the two (see upper middle image) in order to maintain the clear depth of occupiable space

• Balconies shall be functional and not just decorative Door(s) shall give access to the balcony, the floor of the balcony shall align with the bottom of the balcony door, and balconies shall safely support the weight of its potential occupants Faux (false) balconies, such as railings attached to the facade below windows, are prohibited

• Building tenant/homeowners association rules shall prohibit the use of balconies for storage

• Balconies may be located on facades facing streets, open spaces, and internal courts; balconies shall not be located on side and rear facades which overlook other private property

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C
Juliette balcony

Notes

• 1 Exception: Occupiable balconies that are completely recessed into the facade (they do not project beyond the facade) may be as wide as the Massing Increment in which they are located.

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10.4.G. AWNING/CANOPY

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C
D
A
B

An Awning/Canopy is an overhang which extends from the facade to provide shade, protection from the rain, and character

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Design Standards MIN MAX
A Clear height from sidewalk to lowest element of roof overhang (not including 9' -
support bracket)
B Clear height from sidewalk to bottom of support bracket connection to wall 7' -
Projection beyond facade (for ground level awnings/canopies) - 10'
C
Projection beyond facade (for upper level awnings/canopies) - 5'
D Length along facade - Massing
Increment [1]
Additional Standards & Guidelines

• The placement and structure of the awning shall correspond to the building's pattern of bays and ground floor openings

• It is encouraged to echo the proportions, slope, and structure of the historic Santa Clara awnings, whether expressed in a traditional or modern way (see image to the right)

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Awnings/canopies of historic Downtown Santa Clara

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Awnings/canopies can also have a modern expression.

Notes

1 See Chapter 7 for more on massing increments.

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ARCADES & GALLERIES: INTRODUCTION

Covered sidewalks are a part of the history of California as well as Santa Clara, which had sidewalks sheltered by deep shade structures going back as far as the 1880s Returning galleries , (porch-like structures attached to the building facade) back to Santa Clara's streetscape would not only make the retail experience on Franklin Street more pleasant and welcoming, but would be a way to include Santa Clara's heritage in everyday life Arcades (extensions of upper floors over the sidewalk and held up by vertical supports) are another way to provide protection from the elements

In order to create a comfortable experience for shoppers, especially during the heat of the summer or in rain, arcades and galleries are required/allowed per Figure 10-1 , and shall follow the standards in Sections 10.4.H & I

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Gallery in Downtown Santa Clara, 1880.

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Gallery in Old Town Sacramento

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Arcade in San Francisco.

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Arcades around the Central Square in Seaside, Florida.

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10.4.H. ARCADE

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G
A
F
C
E
B See Precise Plan Chapter 3
for the design vision for Central
Green and the Lafayette St section

Arcades are extensions of upper floors over the front ground floor setback area, supported by vertical supports Arcades provide shade, glare control, and weather protection

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Design Standards MIN MAX
A Projection beyond the facade [1] 15' 20'
B Clear dimension from facade to inside of column 12' -
Maximum of 3' or 1/5th the
C Column/support width in any direction distance between columns,
whichever is less
D Clear width of opening between columns 8' 18' [2]
E Clear height of opening 12' [3] 25'
F Overall height - 4 stories [4]
G Length along facade - Massing
Increment [5]
Additional Standards & Guidelines

• The ground level walkway space within an arcade may span one or two floors

• The openings of the Arcade shall correlate to the bays of the facade

• Vertical supports may be piers, columns, or arches; all arches within the same Massing Increment shall be equal

• Hanging light fixtures and hanging signs are allowed within the space of the Arcade as long as a minimum height clearance of 9 feet is maintained

• Objects such as dining tables and chairs, sidewalk signs, and merchandising racks are allowed within the space of the Arcade, subject to Section 9.3.C

Notes

• 1 Along Central Green : the face of the Arcade shall be set at the edge of the required dimension of the Central Green as mapped in Precise Plan Figure 3-2 (see Chapter 4 of this Code); therefore, the Arcade projection dimension shall match the building setback (see Table 5-2 ). Along Lafayette St : the face of any Arcade shall be set 6 feet from the property line; therefore, the Arcade projection dimension shall be 6 feet less than the building setback (see Table 5-2 ).

• 2 Column spacing shall be less than or equal to the clear height of the opening.

• 3 The clear height excludes decorative brackets, spandrels, and/or lower portions of arches.

• 4 Along Central Green : only floors 2, 3, and 4 may extend over the arcade. Any floor above the 4th floor shall be set back at least 15' from the Central Green (at least as far back as the ground floor facade).

Along Lafayette St : all allowed upper floors may extend over the arcade.

• 5 Arcades shall line the entire perimeter of the Central Green. However, if there is a change in building or Massing Increment, the Arcade should change accordingly to match the design of its building/ increment. See Chapter 7 for more on Massing Increments.

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10.4.I. GALLERY

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B E
C
D
A
10' typ sidewalk
adjacent to Gallery
per Precise Plan

Galleries are appendages to building facades that extend over the front ground floor setback area, providing shade for pedestrians and often providing terrace space above

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Design Standards MIN MAX
A Projection beyond the facade 12' 15'
B Column width in any direction 4" 1'
C Column spacing (on center) 8' [1] 18' [2]
D Clear height of opening 12' 25'
E Overall height from sidewalk to eave - 30'
F Length along facade - Massing
Increment [3]
Additional Standards & Guidelines

• Galleries may be single or double-story and shall correlate with building floors

• The openings of the gallery shall correlate in a logical way to the bays of the facade

• It is encouraged to echo the proportions and function of the historic Santa Clara Galleries, whether expressed in a traditional or modern way

• In California, most historic galleries are modest shed roof structures supported by wood piers New galleries can present a similar aesthetic by using thinner structural members, including heavy timber or composite wood columns (often 6"x6" or 8"x8") or steel I-beam or tubular columns

• Fiberglass or plaster piers/columns are prohibited in galleries

• Unless the attached building is a neoclassical design, column designs from the classical orders are inappropriate for use on galleries and are prohibited for this context

• Hanging light fixtures and hanging signs are allowed within the space of the gallery as long as a minimum height clearance of 9 feet is maintained

• Objects such as dining tables and chairs, sidewalk signs, and merchandising racks are allowed within the space of the Gallery, subject to Section 9.3.C

Notes

• 1 Coupled columns that are located within 3 feet of each other are exempt from the minimum spacing requirement.

• 2 Column spacing should typically be less than or equal to the clear height of the opening. Column spacing shall never exceed 1.4 times the height of the opening.

• 3 A gallery should typically span most/all of a Massing Increment. See Chapter 7 for more on massing increments.

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Historic galleries use slender posts.

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Galleries could be combined with parklets, awnings, and canopies.

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Signs and sales racks must not impede pedestrians.

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Galleries may be up to 2 stories in height and may have balconies above.

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11 Signage Design