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Chapter 18.26 — Downtown Form-Based Code

8.2 Standards (continued)

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

  • F. Expressing Visual Weight and Load-Bearing Structure. To ensure that new development in downtown is compatible with the historic building fabric and visual structural principles of Downtown Santa Clara, the following standards apply to the building structure, architectural elements, and materials and color:

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Bay
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Vertical structural elements frame the bay; visual weight within the bay is transferred clearly to the ground.

1. Building Structure. To express the load-bearing structural characteristics of traditional downtown buildings, the following standards shall apply:

  • a. Vertical Structure. The vertical structural elements of a building—comprising piers, columns, or portions of solid wall which flank each bay of the facade (see §8 2 A 2)—shall be configured so as to visually carry the apparent weight of upper floors down to the ground in a coherent manner (see precedents below) If any vertical structural element is expressed but does not extend to the ground, it shall be supported by structure beneath it, with a visual system of weight transference from the supported element to the ground

  • b. Horizontal Structure. Horizontal structural elements—such as beams and lintels—shall be sized to appropriately support the visual weight of the building mass and elements above them with respect to the distance they span

  • c. Structural Honesty. The visual system of bays and structure that is expressed on the facade shall be organized and configured to express or reinforce the actual building structure

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Bays of windows framed by masonry building structure

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Storefront windows framed by structural elements

AVOID: Heavy upper floor building masses are not coherently supported. Vertical structure elements which frame upper floor bays randomly misalign with those in the building's base.

18 Attachment 1:131

Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA CODE

41 | Chapter 8: Facade Design

2. Architectural Elements. To ensure that architectural elements appear to be properly supported, the following standards shall apply:

  • a. Projections. Architectural Elements projecting from the building’s facade—i e balconies, bay windows, and deep roof eaves—shall be visually supported with brackets, corbels, cantilevered beams, or structure that transfers their weight to the structural vertical and horizontal elements of the facade as defined in 1a / 1b

    3. Materials and Color. To ensure that materials and color reinforce the visual structural logic of a facade, the following standards shall apply:

    • a. As stated in §8 2 E 4, materials heavier in apparent weight (i e brick) shall be used below materials that are lighter in apparent weight (i e wood siding)

  • b. Colors also suggest visual weight Colors should complement, and in no way undermine, the visual structural logic of a facade

  • b. Heavy Elements. Heavy elements—i e those made of masonry, projecting bays or rooms, etc —shall appear to be supported rather than floating or affixed onto a weaker-appearing material

  • c. Non-Supportive Elements. Elements which are intended to be accents to the facade—i e such as spandrel panels between windows—shall not project from the facade Rather, they shall be inset as architectural relief, with the facade material holding it in place visible around it There shall be no floating elements or details which appear artificially pasted on

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Traditional bay windows had wooden and masonry structural elements, creating a coherently-supported assembly

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This modern bay window has a metal structural frame supported by concrete cantilevers.

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Balcony supported by metal tension rods.

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Spandrel panels are recessed into the wall between vertical structural elements.

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Color reinforces the role of the panels as decorative rather than strong and loadbearing.

18 Attachment 1:132

Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

42 | 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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