Santa Clara Zoning Code § 6.3 Standards

• 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

Text read from an image; its layout may differ:
40'
40'

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

Text read from an image; its layout may differ:
FIGURE 6-2 | POTENTIAL MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHTS
WITH BONUSES

Text read from an image; its layout may differ:
40'
40'

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