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Chapter 18.98 — Other Specific Nonconforming Provisions

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

Sections

18.98.010 – Nonconformities Regarding Landscaping 18.98.020 – Nonconformities Regarding Off-Street Parking and Loading 18.98.030 – Nonconformities Regarding Signs

18.98.010 – Nonconformities Regarding Landscaping

  • A. Use May Continue Indefinitely. Any lawfully created use that becomes nonconforming with regard to landscaping requirements, including, but not limited to, site coverage, parking lot coverage, distribution, installation, or maintenance, may continue indefinitely with the nonconformity as long as the use continues as permitted.

  • B. Improvements Exceeding 75 Percent. However, upon performing any improvements to the parcel of 75 percent or more of the total appraised value of the existing development of the property, landscaping shall be provided in compliance with Chapter 18.36 (Landscaping Standards).

  • C. Landscaping Shall Be Improved to Maximum Extent Possible. Along with any change, expansion, or intensification of use, the landscaping shall be improved to the maximum extent possible.

18.98.020 – Nonconformities Regarding Off-Street Parking and Loading

  • A. Parking Spaces and Improvements.

    1. Any nonconformity with respect to off-street parking spaces or improvements may continue indefinitely, except that with any change, expansion, or intensification of use, the additional off-street parking required for the change, expansion, or intensification shall be provided in compliance with Chapter 18.38 (Off-Street Parking Regulations and Design Standards).

    2. The only exception to this provision is found in Subsection 18.92.040 A.1. (Residences with legal nonconforming parking), which allows retention of legal nonconforming parking in certain specified circumstances.

  • B. Loading Spaces. Any nonconformity with respect to off-street loading areas may continue indefinitely, except that with any change, expansion, or intensification of use, the additional offstreet loading areas required for the change, expansion, or intensification shall be provided in compliance with Chapter 18.38 (Off-Street Parking Regulations and Design Standards).

  • C. Parking Lot Landscaping. Upon a review for any expansion, intensification, or reconfiguration of an existing parking lot, the designated Review Authority may require that any nonconformity with respect to interior landscaping and landscaped yards along streets for parking lots be made to conform with the requirements specified in Chapter 18.38 (Off-Street Parking Regulations and Design Standards) to the fullest extent feasible.

Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

July 2025 5-13

18 Attachment 1:368

Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

Chapter 18.98

Other Specific Nonconforming Provisions

18.98.030 – Nonconformities Regarding Signs

Legally established nonconforming signs shall be allowed to continue, subject to the compliance with Section 18.42.200 (Nonconforming Signs).

Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

July 2025

5-14

18 Attachment 1:369

Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA 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
  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
    Overview
    1. Article 6 — Permit Processing Procedures
  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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