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Chapter 18.26 — Downtown Form-Based Code

3.1. Summary of Regulating Topics

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

Throughout the Code, standards are grouped into the regulatory topics summarized on this page Each of these topics represents a section of the Code; the section number is noted alongside each title This topical organization enables the Code to systematically implement the vision as articulated in the Precise Plan and follow the approach described in the previous section, Section 2 Before referencing the standards found in the remainder of this Code, applicants proposing any new development in the Downtown Zone should familiarize themselves with Section 2 as well as the Santa Clara Downtown Precise Plan After covering each of these topics, the Code concludes with a glossary of the specialized terms which are used throughout

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CH. 4: THE DOWNTOWN ZONE & CHARACTER OVERLAYS

A Downtown Zone is applied to the 10 blocks of the Plan Area to implement the standards of this Code and the vision of the Precise Plan Character Overlays are used to further calibrate the standards of the Code to the multiple unique environments within the Downtown Zone

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CH. 6: BUILDING HEIGHT

Building heights are regulated in order to properly concentrate intensity at the heart of Downtown while scaling appropriately to the existing context

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Building Footprint
Street Street
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CH. 5: BUILDING PLACEMENT

Building placement standards ensure that new buildings are sited and oriented to appropriately define and engage new and existing streets, public spaces, courts, and paseos

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CH. 7: BUILDING MASSING

Building massings are regulated to ensure that new large developments do not have massive, monolithic facades that feel overbearing to pedestrians Buildings are required to reflect the rhythm and scale of the historic Downtown

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Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA CODE

15 | Chapter 3: Overview of Standards

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Private Frontage
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CH. 8: FACADE DESIGN

This section ensures that building facades have an appropriate amount of windows and doors, and that those windows, doors, and other facade elements are organized into a rational composition of floors and bays

CH. 9: PRIVATE FRONTAGES

Private frontage standards regulate the building face and everything between that building face and the sidewalk Design is to be calibrated to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship between the private property and the public realm

CH. 10: ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTIONS

Architectural projects are the elements which stick out from the facade into the private setback These elements enhance the relationship between the building and the public realm

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Parking
Garage
Wide Range of Upper
Floor Uses
Lafayette St Franklin St
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CH. 11: SIGNAGE DESIGN

Signs will be a strength of Downtown buildings They will be beautiful and bring visual interest to the street while drawing patrons to businesses and other destinations within the Downtown Zone

CH. 12: BUILDING USE & PARKING

Use regulations ensure that upper floors have the flexibility to accommodate a wide range of activity in Downtown and that ground floors are occupied by uses which are appropriate to their Downtown context—regulated by Character Overlay This section also ensures the proper placement of parking within buildings

CH. 13: SITE STANDARDS & GUIDELINES

Site standard and guidelines regulate a wide range of private realm elements— including waste and utilities, site walls, lighting, and on-site open space—to ensure that such elements contribute to the Downtown environment while serving building occupants

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Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

16 | City of Santa Clara Downtown Form-Base Code

4 The Downtown Zone & Character Overlays

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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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