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Chapter 18.26 — Downtown Form-Based Code

12.4. Parking Requirements

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

  • A. Introduction. For new development Downtown, transportation demand management (TDM) strategies and parking strategies are intended to implement a pedestrian-oriented district that is accessible by all modes of travel and not dominated by wide roadways and traffic Auto-oriented environments are typically characterized by large and exposed surface parking areas It is the intent of the Precise Plan and this Form-Based Code to both minimize the aesthetic damage of existing and new parking areas through occupiable building lining, and to facilitate the rationalization of parking areas to better levels of efficiency to support existing and new development

B. Applicability

1. The standards within this section shall apply to all residential and nonresidential development and/or redevelopment within the Precise Plan boundaries

2. Compliance with these standards is not required in the following instances

TABLE 12-2 | REQUIRED PARKING

==> picture [355 x 206] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Use Minimum Vehicular Parking Required
Office, civic, cultural and conference
uses 1 space per 500 sq ft of building area
Grocery stores 1 space per 500 sq ft of building area
All other commercial uses, including
restaurants and bars 1 space per 1,000 sq ft of building area
Hotels 0 5 spaces per room
1 space per unit for units greater than or equal
to 550 sq ft ;
Residential units
0 5 spaces per unit for units less than 550 sq ft ;
1 space per 20 units for guest parking
Residential units for seniors, with
on-site staff 1 space per employee plus 0 1 spaces per unit
----- End of picture text -----

  • a. a change of use within an existing building; or

  • b. an expansion of an existing building; or

  • c. a replacement of an existing building that does not result in an increase in floor area by more than 25 percent

  • C. Required Number of Vehicular Parking Spaces. In the Downtown Precise Plan Area, parking requirements shall be as summarized in Table 12-2 , except for any reductions allowed per this Section These requirements reflect a strong transit orientation for downtown

  • D. Shared Parking. Parking shared among uses is encouraged, and up to twenty percent (20%) of parking spaces provided may be shared between two uses For the purposes of this title, those parking spaces shared between two uses count towards the parking requirement of both Shared parking is justified when reduced parking reflect different uses have different time-of-day parking demand profiles, based on evaluation by a qualified transportation planner and the City

o twenty percent (20%) of parking spaces provided may be shared between two uses For the purposes of this title, those parking spaces shared between two uses count towards the parking requirement of both Shared parking is justified when reduced parking reflect different uses have different time-of-day parking demand profiles, based on evaluation by a qualified transportation planner and the City

  • E. Unbundled Parking. A maximum of one parking space shall be rented or sold with each unit Additional parking spaces shall be rented or sold separately As an alternative to renting or selling parking spaces separately from residential units, property managers may implement a parking preference program, with prospective renters without cars put on a separate waiting list from renters with cars, and renters being chosen alternately from the two lists Require employers who provide free employee parking to offer a cash payment in lieu of the parking benefit

  • F. Off-Site and On-Street Parking. Required parking may be provided off-site but within the Downtown Zone Directly adjacent on-street parking may count toward parking requirements for commercial uses

18 Attachment 1:163

Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA CODE

73 | Chapter 12: Building Use & Parking

  • G. Required Electric Vehicle Charging Spaces (EVCS). All new development shall conform to the City of Santa Clara building electrification Reach Codes regarding EVCS (see Ordinance No. 2056 ), the Green Building Standards Code ( SCCC Chapter 15.38 ), and/or any current City standard at the time of application New residential development shall provide for EVCS and EV Ready Spaces in the quantities identified in SCCC Section 15.38.040 for residential uses and SCCC Section 15.38.050 for non-residential uses

H. Transportation Demand Management.

1. New development should provide secure indoor bicycle parking consistent with Zoning Code requirements

2. New development should contribute to Transportation Demand Management (TDM), in order to promote transit and walkability in Downtown Such TDM measures include:

  • a. Transit Passes for Residential Uses – when residential developers commit to provide a monthly transit pass benefit to each residential unit;

  • b. Transit Passes for Commercial Uses – when commercial developers commit to a monthly transit pass benefit, paired with a “guaranteed ride home” benefit for when employees have family or medical emergencies;

  • c. Bike Commuter Facilities – when commercial projects make locker room(s) with shower(s) available to employees;

  • d. Carsharing Spaces – when developers of large projects dedicate one or more on-site parking spaces to a carsharing operator for carsharing by residents and/or employees, with further reduction when on-site carsharing is available to the public; and/or

  • e. Vanpool Spaces – when larger commercial projects reserve one or more parking spaces for an established employer-run vanpool program

18 Attachment 1:164

Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

74 | 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
  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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