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Chapter 18.26 — Downtown Form-Based Code

12.2. Specified Use Definitions

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

Each use listed in Table 12-1: Specific Building Use Provisions is defined below In cases of uncertainty, the Director shall have the authority to make a determination

Automobile service. An establishment for which the primary purpose is the on-site repair, cleaning, detailing, dismantling, or similar work on cars

repair processes that produces odors, noise, vibration, has large industrial vehicles visiting more than once per day, hazardous waste materials, or particulates that may negatively affect other uses on the same site or neighboring properties Uses permitted in MP (Planned Industrial) zoning districts, per SCCC § 18 46 030, with the exception of laboratories, are not included in this category

Private building amenities and leasing

offices. Spaces shared by the tenants/ inhabitants of a building but closed to the public and offices dedicated to leasing and sales for the building

Automobile dealership. An establishment which sells automobiles A small-format showroom is similar to a typical retail establishment with Shopfront frontage

Office. A building or portion thereof used as a place for commercial, professional, or bureaucratic work that does not depend on regular on-site visits from customers

Assisted living / memory care. Specialized housing accommodations for those requiring permanent on-site medical care

Specified regulated businesses. Uses including adult book stores, adult cabarets, adult motion picture theaters, nude encounter studios, nude photography studios, and other uses, as specified in SCCC 18 70 090

Laboratory. A space, room or building equipped for scientific experiments, research, or teaching, or for the manufacture of drugs or chemicals

Corporate cafeteria, as accessory to office use. A cafeteria that is closed to the public but provides meals to employees of a particular company

Liquor Store. A retail establishment which has 25% or more of the shelving devoted to the public display and sale of alcoholic beverages for off-site consumption

Storage/warehouse. A facility for the storage of furniture, household goods, or other commercial goods of any nature

Data Center. A facility for housing computing and data storage systems and equipment

Lobby. An entry hall accessed by a common entrance shared by building tenants

Thrift shop. Any individual personal partnership, firm or corporation whose business includes buying, selling, trading, taking in pawn, accepting for sale on consignment, or accepting for auctioning, secondhand tangible property Buy-selltrade stores—stores at which items are bought and sold outright (rather than used as collateral for loans)—are exempt from this category and are permitted by right

Drive-through facility. An establishment where customers are regularly attended while remaining seated within an automobile

Place of Assembly. Facility for public or private assembly and meetings, including civic and private auditoriums, banquet halls, community centers, conference and convention facilities; meeting halls for clubs, religious institutions (i e , church, temple, synagogue, and mosque), and other membership organizations

Dwelling unit. Any building or portion thereof that is used as an independent living facility for one or more persons

Heavy industrial/manufacturing. An establishment that includes labor-intensive manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, or

Vehicle fueling facility. A gas station— does not include electric vehicle charging stations

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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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