8.2 Standards (continued)

D. Parking Structure Facade Standards

1. Facade design. Parking structure facades shall be designed to fit into the urban context in one of the two following ways:

• a. Facades that look similar to other Downtown buildings with designs that meet the standards of Sections 7 and 8

• b. Facades designed as art walls, murals, or screens that incorporate decorative, graphic, or sculptural elements Such facades are subject to recommendations from the Cultural Arts Commission and Historical and Landmarks Commission, followed by Director approval, based on the following Required Findings:

• i. Facade design theme, materials and aesthetic complement and enhance the intended unified streetscape aesthetic of Downtown, as defined by this Specific Plan

• ii. Facade design is unique and iconic, using durable, element-resistant, materials and techniques

2. Future-Proof Parking. Parking garages which can easily convert to accommodate other uses— such as offices or housing—if and when the need for parking diminishes, are encouraged Features which enable such 'future-proof' flexibility include:

• a. Level floors, apart from necessary ramps;

• b. Floors with 10' minimum clear height from floor to ceiling;

• c. Cut-outs for planned shafts in decks and other structural members to accommodate future utilities (such as heating, cooling, and venting)

==> picture [231 x 152] intentionally omitted <==

PARKING STRUCTURE designed like a typical building with occupiable space on the sidewalk

==> picture [231 x 145] intentionally omitted <==

AVOID: Wide, horizontal garage openings create too large a break in the street wall.

3. Ground floor facade. Per Standard 5.3.B , structured ground floor parking must be set behind at least 30 feet of occupiable ground floor liner space Vehicular entries are subject to the standards of Section 9.4.F

==> picture [231 x 152] intentionally omitted <==

FLEXIBLE BUILDINGS like this example in downtown Los Angeles, whose upper floors once hosted a department store and offices but now serves as a parking garage.

==> picture [231 x 145] intentionally omitted <==

PARKING STRUCTURE designed like a typical Downtown Building, with ground floor parking set behind commercial space with shopfronts lining the street. The flat, tall parking floors of this building could easily accommodate other uses in the future.

18 Attachment 1:129

Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA CODE

39 | Chapter 8: Facade Design

E. Materials

1. Fiberglass or plastic (false) architectural elements or ornamentations are prohibited

2. Materials used on shopfronts should be smooth and non-abrasive to touch

3. Rough-cast and sand-finishes are discouraged on all building surfaces that are visible from a street

4. Where more than one material is used for the facade, the heavier material must be used below the lighter material (e g brick below siding, not vice versa)

• a. Modulations, color schemes, balconies, and other facade elements shall be consistent within an individual facade or within an individual Massing Increment, when required per Section 7.2

==> picture [243 x 172] intentionally omitted <==

SHOPFRONT MATERIALS —This example uses smooth material finishes, especially at the shopfronts where the most pedestrian interactions occur.

==> picture [121 x 183] intentionally omitted <==

==> picture [103 x 183] intentionally omitted <==

STACKING MATERIALS —Masonry used below lighter materials such as stucco, synthetic cladding, or siding.

==> picture [244 x 172] intentionally omitted <==

SHOPFRONT MATERIALS —A simple palette of materials across multiple storefronts does not need to feel boring as long as they are well composed.

==> picture [115 x 184] intentionally omitted <==

==> picture [124 x 184] intentionally omitted <==

MATERIALS ON INCREMENTS —Materials and design are consistent within each Massing Increment.

18 Attachment 1:130

Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

40 | City of Santa Clara Downtown Form-Base Code