Chapter 18.26 — Downtown Form-Based Code

Article 3 — Site Planning and General Development Standards

Santa Clara Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Santa Clara

July 2025 Title 18 – Zoning Code

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 18.30 – Site Planning and General Development Standards ----------------- 1 18.30.010 – Purpose and Applicability ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 18.30.020 – Permitted Projections into Required Setback Areas ---------------------------------------------------- 1 18.30.030 – Visibility Clearance Areas ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 18.30.040 – Height Measurement and Exceptions ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 18.30.050 – Setbacks – Measurement and Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------ 4 18.30.060 – Solid Waste and Recycling Enclosures and Storage Areas ------------------------------------------ 7 18.30.070 – Basements -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 Chapter 18.32 – Residential Accessory Structures -----------------------------------------11 18.32.010 – Purpose and Applicability ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11 18.32.020 – Permit Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11 18.32.030 – Development Standards -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12 Chapter 18.34 – Fences, Walls, Hedges, and Screens-------------------------------------13 18.34.010 – Purpose and Applicability ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13 18.34.020 – Permit Requirements and Exemptions -------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 18.34.030 – Measurement of Fence, Wall, Hedge, and Screen ---------------------------------------------------- 13 18.34.040 – Maximum Heights ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 18.34.050 – Additional Requirements by Land Use Type ------------------------------------------------------------ 15 18.34.060 – Materials and Maintenance ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 Chapter 18.36 – Landscaping Standards -------------------------------------------------------21 18.36.010 – Purpose ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 18.36.020 – Applicability ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 21 18.36.030 – Landscape and Irrigation Plans ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 18.36.040 – Landscape and Irrigation Plan Review Process -------------------------------------------------------- 22 18.36.050 – General Landscape Standards ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22 18.36.060 – Special Landscape Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23 18.36.070 – Additional Requirements for Residential Zones -------------------------------------------------------- 26 18.36.080 – Removal and Replacement of Required Landscaping ------------------------------------------------ 26 18.36.090 – RESERVED SECTION --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 18.36.100 – Water-Efficient Landscaping -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26 Chapter 18.38 – Off-Street Parking Regulations and Design Standards ------------27 18.38.010 – Purpose and Applicability ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 27 18.38.020 – Permit Requirements and Exemptions -------------------------------------------------------------------- 28 18.38.030 – Off-Street Vehicle Parking Requirements ---------------------------------------------------------------- 28 18.38.040 – Exceptions and Reductions to Parking Requirements ------------------------------------------------ 33 18.38.050 – Bicycle Parking Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 35 18.38.060 – General Parking Standards ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39 18.38.070 – Off-Street Loading --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46

--------------------- 33 18.38.050 – Bicycle Parking Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 35 18.38.060 – General Parking Standards ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39 18.38.070 – Off-Street Loading --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 46

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18.38.080 – Maintenance ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 48 18.38.090 – Valet Parking ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 48 18.38.100 – Recreational Vehicle Parking in Residential Zones ---------------------------------------------------- 48 18.38.110 – Off-Site Designated Parking: Alternate Parking Location -------------------------------------------- 49 Chapter 18.40 – Performance Standards -------------------------------------------------------53 18.40.010 – Purpose and Applicability ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 53 18.40.020 – Compliance ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 53 18.40.030 – Air Emissions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 53 18.40.040 – Dust ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 53 18.40.050 – Hazardous Materials ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 53 18.40.060 – Noise and Vibration -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 54 18.40.070 – Odor --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 54 18.40.080 – Outdoor Lighting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 54 18.40.090 – Heat, Electrical Disturbance, and Glare ------------------------------------------------------------------ 56 18.40.100 – Wastewater ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 56 Chapter 18.42 – Sign Standards -------------------------------------------------------------------57 18.42.010 – Purpose and Applicability ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 57 18.42.020 – Effect of Chapter ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 58 18.42.030 – Definitions -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 58 18.42.040 – Sign Permit Required ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 61 18.42.050 – Comprehensive Sign Program ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 61 18.42.060 – Application and Review of Sign Permits ------------------------------------------------------------------ 62 18.42.070 – Exempt Signs --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 62 18.42.080 – Prohibited Signs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 63 18.42.090 – Billboards --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 64 18.42.100 – Temporary Signs ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 65 18.42.110 – Standards for Signs Requiring a Sign Permit ----------------------------------------------------------- 67 18.42.120 – Standards for Specific Sign Types ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 72 18.42.130 – Iconic Signs ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 85 18.42.140 – Electronic Digital Display Message Signs ---------------------------------------------------------------- 86 18.42.150 – Signs in Residential Zones ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 88 18.42.160 – Signs in Commercial and Mixed-Use Zones ------------------------------------------------------------ 90 18.42.170 – Signs in Office and Industrial Zones ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 92 18.42.180 – Sign Construction and Maintenance----------------------------------------------------------------------- 94 18.42.190 – Removal of Unlawful, Unsafe, and Unauthorized Signs ---------------------------------------------- 94 18.42.200 – Nonconforming Signs ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 94 18.42.210 – Revocation of Sign Permits ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 95

-------------------------------- 94 18.42.190 – Removal of Unlawful, Unsafe, and Unauthorized Signs ---------------------------------------------- 94 18.42.200 – Nonconforming Signs ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 94 18.42.210 – Revocation of Sign Permits ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 95

TABLES

Table 3-1 Maximum Height of Fences, Walls, Hedges, and Screens in Setback Areas -------------------- 3-14 Table 3-2 Patrick Henry Parking Requirements ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-29 Table 3-3 Off-Street Parking Requirements---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-31 Table 3-4 Bicycle Parking Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-38 Table 3-4 Bicycle Parking Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-39 Table 3-5 Parking Space and Drive Aisle Dimensions -------------------------------------------------------------- 3-40 Table 3-7 Motorcycle Parking Requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-45 Table 3-8 Signs Allowed in Residential Zone -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-69

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Table 3-9 Signs Allowed in Commercial, Mixed-Use, Office, and Industrial Zones -------------------------- 3-70 Table 3-10 Residential Zones Allowed Sign Types and Permit Requirements -------------------------------- 3-89 Table 3-11 Commercial and Mixed-Use Zone Allowed Sign Types and Permit Requirements ----------- 3-91 Table 3-12 Office and Industrial Zones Allowed Sign Types and Permit Requirements -------------------- 3-93

FIGURES

Figure 3-1 Visibility Clearance Area --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-2 Figure 3-2 Height Measurement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-3 Figure 3-3 Setback Measurements ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-4 Figure 3-4 Allowable Fence Height -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-14 Figure 3-5 Retaining Wall Height Measurement ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-15 Figure 3-6 Fence Height Exception – Abutting Corner Parcel ----------------------------------------------------- 3-17 Figure 3-7 Parking Lot Tree Requirement ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3-25 Figure 3-8 Parking Lot Landscaping ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-25 Figure 3-9 Parking Lot Planter Design ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-25 Figure 3-10 Class I Bicycle Parking -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-36 Figure 3-11 Class II Bicycle Parking ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-37 Figure 3-12 Parking Space and Drive Aisle Dimensions ----------------------------------------------------------- 3-41 Figure 3-13 Motorcycle Parking Configuration ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3-45 Figure 3-14 Delivery Loading Areas ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-47 Figure 3-15 Shielding and Maximum Height of Freestanding Outdoor Light Fixtures ----------------------- 3-55 Figure 3-16 Sign Area Measurement ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3-68 Figure 3-17 Awning and Canopy Sign ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-73 Figure 3-18 Subdivision Entry Sign -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-74 Figure 3-19 Directional Sign ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-75 Figure 3-20 Directory Sign ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-76 Figure 3-21 Freestanding and Monument Signs ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-77 Figure 3-22 Freeway- and Expressway-Oriented Sign -------------------------------------------------------------- 3-78 Figure 3-23 Luminous Tube Sign ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-79 Figure 3-24 Painted Sign --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-80 Figure 3-25 Menu Board Sign --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-80 Figure 3-26 Freestanding Drive-thru Menu Board Sign ------------------------------------------------------------- 3-81 Figure 3-27 Service Station Gas Price Sign --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-82 Figure 3-28 Projecting Sign ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3-83 Figure 3-29 Wall Sign ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-84 Figure 3-30 Window Sign --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-85

---- 3-82 Figure 3-28 Projecting Sign ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3-83 Figure 3-29 Wall Sign ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-84 Figure 3-30 Window Sign --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-85

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Chapter 18.30