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Chapter 18.26 — Downtown Form-Based Code

6.3. Standards

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

  • A. Maximum Building Heights without Bonuses. All buildings that do not qualify for bonuses (see Standard 6.3.B ) are subject to the maximum building heights identified in Figure 6-1 See Standard 6.3.C for measurement of building height

  • B. Maximum Building Heights with Bonuses. The City may create a bonus height program to grant additional height allowance in exchange for the provision of Community Benefits, per direction in the Precise Plan Community Benefits may include, but are not limited to, those identified in Table 6-1 Figure 6-2 establishes the maximum building heights which may be allowed under any such program Bonuses shall be calculated on a project-by-project basis and at the scale of individual buildings The net financial value added to the project via the bonus height shall be determined in proportion to the fair market value of the Community Benefit offered to the City This proportion shall be determined by the bonus height program These bonuses may be combined with any bonuses gained through any State law provisions that may be in effect for affordable housing The resulting height of any building, including bonuses, shall not exceed those identified in Figure 6-2 Bonuses may be granted to Downtown projects for community benefits provided off-site but in the Downtown Zone

FIGURE 6-1 | MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHTS WITHOUT BONUSES

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40'
40'
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LEGEND[1 ] — Figure 6-1

Notes

  • 1 Per Standard 6.3.C , height is regulated by the number of stories as well as the maximum number of feet; buildings shall not exceed either metric.

Park or Plaza

2 stories (up to 28')

Height in feet is typically generous relative to the number of stories to facilitate tall office floors, where they might occur. It is not expected that residential development would always take advantage of the full height in feet.

3 stories (up to 40')

4 stories (up to 59') 5 stories (up to 72') 6 stories (up to 85')

  • 7 stories (up to 98')

  • C. Measurement of Building Height. As shown in Figures 6-4 and 6-5 , building height in feet is measured from the adjacent sidewalk level to the top of the parapet, cornice, eave, or ridge of pitched roof, whichever is taller Height is regulated by the number of stories as well as the maximum number of

18 Attachment 1:113

Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA CODE

23 | Chapter 6: Building Height

Potential Maximum Bonus Heights[2] Not Applicable until the Creation of a Bonus Height Program

TABLE 6-1 | PROPOSED COMMUNITY BENEFITS FOR POTENTIAL HEIGHT BONUS PROGRAM

Community Benefits

Each cultural venue on Arts Commons (including but not limited to Santa Clara Theater, Cultural Arts Center, and Market Hall), if consistent with locations on Figure 2-8

Public parking garage that can support Cultural Arts Center and Theater This may be provided in addition to providing required parking for other residential and office uses

Visual and performing art venues or movie theaters in location other than the Arts Commons

Conservation of resources listed on the Historic Resources Inventory, buildings in the Historic Combining District, or the post office

Public land dedication, with bonus amount based on extent to which dedication requirement exceeds District average

Enhanced contributions to public realm improvements above fair-share development impact fee, including infrastructure, paving, planting, furnishings, public art and interpretation elements

Enhanced contributions to district transit infrastructure and operations

Subsidized rent (offering rent at or below 60% of the current comparable market rate) for ground floor, non-formula retail and restaurant establishments for a minimum of 5 years (this rate and duration shall be included in a Deed Restriction)

Providing a Future-Proof parking garage, meeting all the standards of Section 8.2.D.2

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----- Start of picture text -----
FIGURE 6-2 | POTENTIAL MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHTS
WITH BONUSES
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----- Start of picture text -----
40'
40'
----- End of picture text -----

LEGEND[1 ] — Figure 6-2

Notes

  • 1 Per Standard 6.3.C , height is regulated by the number of stories as well as the maximum number of feet; buildings shall not exceed either metric.

Park or Plaza

  • 2 stories (up to 28')

Height in feet is typically generous relative to the number of stories to facilitate tall office floors, where they might occur. It is not expected that residential development would always take advantage of the full height in feet.

  • 3 stories (up to 40')

  • 4 stories (up to 59')

    • 2 Bonus heights shall not become applicable unless and until the Council adopts a bonus height program. City staff anticipate presenting a bonus height program, including a fee component and accompanied by a nexus study, to the Council in 2024.

  • 5 stories (up to 72')

  • 6 stories (up to 85')

  • 7 stories (up to 98')

  • 9 stories (up to 124')

18 Attachment 1:114

Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

24 | 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
    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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