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Chapter 18.26 — Downtown Form-Based Code

7.2. Applicability

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

New buildings whose primary facade (s) exceeds the maximum Massing Increment length listed in Table 7–1 —which varies by whether the facade is within or outside the Neighborhood Edge Overlay (see Figure 4-2, Character Overlays )—shall be divided into smaller ‘Massing Increments’ per the standards of Table 7–1 and the content of this Chapter If a primary facade is less than the maximum Massing Increment length, it does not need to be broken into multiple Massing Increments The standards of this Chapter are organized as follows:

1. Section 7.3.A regulates facades outside the Neighborhood Edge

2. Section 7.3.B regulates facades within the Neighborhood Edge

3. Section 7.3.C regulates when Massing Increments, regardless of location, shall and shall not appear as distinct buildings

WELL-SCALED MASSING INCREMENTS (A) in Historic Downtown Santa Clara and a newly-built building

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A A
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Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA CODE

29 | Chapter 7: Building Massing

TABLE 7-1 | MASSING INCREMENT DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS

Outside the Neighborhood
Edge		 Neighborhood
Edge
Massing increment (max.)
A		 100’1 60’1
Facade Height Diference between Massing
increments (min.)
B		 10% of lesser facade height N/A
Building Base Height Diference between
Massing Increments (min.)
C		 3’ N/A
Gap between Massing Increments
(SeeSection 7.3.B)
D		 N/A 16' wide by
20' deep

Notes

  • 1 There shall be a minimum of 4 Massing Increments per block face. Where a block face includes an open space, the open space counts as a Massing Increment.

FIGURE 7-1 | MASSING INCREMENT DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS

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B
A A
C
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MASSING INCREMENTS OUTSIDE THE NEIGHBORHOOD EDGE See Section 7.3.A

MASSING INCREMENTS WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD EDGE See Section 7.3.B

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A
A
D
Street
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Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

30 | 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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