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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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — Santa Clara Zoning Code
- Article 1 — Enactment and Applicability
- Chapter 18.02 — Purpose and Applicability of Zoning Code
- Chapter 18.04 — Interpretation of the Zoning Code Provisions
- Chapter 18.06 — Zoning Map and Zones
- Chapter 18.10 — Residential Zones (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, UC,…
- Chapter 18.12 — Commercial Zones (C-C, C-N, C-R)
- Chapter 18.14 — Mixed Use Zones (MU-NC, MU-CC, MU-RC, MU-MD, M…
- Chapter 18.16 — Office and Industrial Zones (LO-RD, HO-RD, LI,…
- Chapter 18.18 — Special Purpose Zones (OS, PQP)
- Chapter 18.20 — Planned Development Zone (PD)
- Chapter 18.22 — Lawrence Station Area Plan Zoning District (LS…
- Chapter 18.24 — Two-Unit Dwelling Residential Development and …
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▸ Chapter 18.26 — Downtown Form-Based Code
Overview- 1.1. Introduction
- 1.2. Applicability
- 1.3. Rules of Construction
- 1.4. Architectural Review
- 1.5. Public Notice
- 1.6. Director Interpretations
- 1.7. Deviation from Standards
- 2.1. A New Code for Downtown Santa Clara
- 3.1. Summary of Regulating Topics
- 4.1. The Downtown Zone
- 4.2. Character Overlays
- 5.2. Applicability
- 5.1. Intent
- 5.3. Standards
- 6.1. Intent
- 6.2. Applicability
- 6.3. Standards
- 6.3 Standards (continued)
- 6.3 Standards (continued)
- 7.1. Intent
- 7.2. Applicability
- 7.3. Standards
- 7.3 Standards (continued)
- 7.3 Standards (continued)
- 8.1. Intent and Applicability
- 8.2. Standards
- 8.2 Standards (continued)
- 8.2 Standards (continued)
- 9.1. Intent
- 9.3. General Standards
- 9.2. Applicability
- 9.4. Standards by Frontage Type
- 10.1. Intent
- 10.2. Applicability
- 10.3. General Standards
- 10.4. Standards & Guidelines by Type
- 11.1. Intent and Applicability
- 11.2. General Standards
- 11.3. Standards & Guidelines by Type
- 12.1. Building Use
- 12.2. Specified Use Definitions
- 12.3. CUP Conditions of Approval
- 12.4. Parking Requirements
- 12.5. Parking Design Standards
- 13.1. Introduction
- 13.2. Specific to Waste and Utility Placement
- 13.3. Specific to Site Walls
- 13.4. Specific to Lighting
- 13.5. On-Site Open Space
- 13.6. Elevating a Place with Art
- Article 3 — Site Planning and General Development Standards
- Chapter 18.30 — Site Planning and General Development Standards
- Chapter 18.32 — Residential Accessory Structures
- Chapter 18.34 — Fences, Walls, Hedges, and Screens
- Chapter 18.36 — Landscaping Standards
- Chapter 18.38 — Off-Street Parking Regulations and Design Stan…
- Chapter 18.40 — Performance Standards
- Chapter 18.42 — Sign Standards
- Chapter 18.60 — Standards for Specific Land Uses
- Chapter 18.62 — Adult Business Uses
- Chapter 18.64 — Density Bonus and Affordable Housing
- Chapter 18.66 — Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
- Chapter 18.90 — General Nonconforming Provisions
- Chapter 18.92 — Nonconforming Structures
- Chapter 18.94 — Nonconforming Uses
- Chapter 18.96 — Nonconforming Parcels
- Chapter 18.98 — Other Specific Nonconforming Provisions
- Chapter 18.110 — General Provisions
- Chapter 18.112 — Application Processing Procedures
- Chapter 18.114 — Conditional and Minor Use Permits
- Chapter 18.116 — Off-Site Parking Permits
- Chapter 18.118 — Reasonable Accommodation
- Chapter 18.120 — Architectural Review
- Chapter 18.122 — Temporary Use Permits
- Chapter 18.124 — Variances and Minor Modifications
- Chapter 18.126 — Zoning Clearances
- Chapter 18.128 — Permit Implementation, Time Limits, and Exten…
- Chapter 18.130 — Historic Preservation
- Title 18 — Zoning Code