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Title 18 — Zoning Code

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 18.140 – Administrative Responsibility --------------------------------------------- 7-1 – Purpose ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-1 – Planning Agency ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7-1 – City Council ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7-1 – Planning Commission ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-2 – Community Development Director -------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-2 Chapter 18.142 – Amendments (General Plan, Zoning Code, and Zoning Map) -- 7-5 – Purpose ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-5 – Initiation of Amendment --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-6 – Project Review, Notice, and Hearing ---------------------------------------------------------------- 7-6 – Planning Commission Action on Amendments ---------------------------------------------------- 7-7 – Council Action on Amendments ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-7 – Effective Dates -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-8 Chapter 18.144 – Appeals ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-9 – Purpose ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-9 – Appeal Subjects and Jurisdiction --------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-9 – Filing and Processing of Appeals ------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-10 – Calls for Review ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-12 Chapter 18.146 – Public Notices and Hearings --------------------------------------------- 7-15 – Purpose --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-15 – Notice of Hearing --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-15 – Hearing Procedure ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-17 – Recommendation by Planning Commission ----------------------------------------------------- 7-17 – Decision and Notice ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7-18 – Effective Date of Decision ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-18 Chapter 18.148 – Specific Plans and Amendments ---------------------------------------- 7-21 – Purpose --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-21 – Intent ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-21 – Applicability----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-21 – Minimum Project Area --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-21 – Initiation of Specific Plan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7-22 – Project Review, Notice, and Hearing -------------------------------------------------------------- 7-22 – Adoption of Specific Plan ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-22 – Amendment of Specific Plans ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-22 Chapter 18.150 – Permit Modifications and Revocations ------------------------------- 7-23 – Purpose --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-23 – Modifications --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-23 – Revocations ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-23 – Findings to Modify or Revoke ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7-23 – Hearing and Notice Required ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7-24

--------------------------------------------------------------- 7-23 – Revocations ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-23 – Findings to Modify or Revoke ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7-23 – Hearing and Notice Required ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7-24

Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

July 2025 7-i

18 Attachment 1:430

Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

Table of Contents

Article 7 – Zoning Code Administration

Chapter 18.152 – Enforcement Provisions ---------------------------------------------------- 7-25 – Purpose --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-25 – Permits and Approvals -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-25 – Enforcement Responsibility -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-25 – Inspections ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-26 – Initial Enforcement Action ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-26 – Recording Notice of Violation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7-27 – Violations ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-28 – Legal Remedies ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-29 – Remedies Are Cumulative ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-30 – Recovery of Costs -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-30 – Additional Permit Fees -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-32 – Reinspection Fees -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-32 – Limitation of Actions Challenging Certain Decisions ------------------------------------------- 7-33 – Conclusive Notice -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-33

Santa Clara Zoning Code

7-ii

July 2025

18 Attachment 1:431

Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA CODE

Article 7 – Zoning Code Administration

Chapter 18.140

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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
  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
    Overview
    1. Chapter 18.140 — Administrative Responsibility
    2. Chapter 18.142 — Amendments (General Plan, Zoning Code, and Zo…
    3. Chapter 18.144 — Appeals
    4. Chapter 18.146 — Public Notices and Hearings
    5. Chapter 18.148 — Specific Plans and Amendments
    6. Chapter 18.150 — Permit Modifications and Revocations
    7. Chapter 18.152 — Enforcement Provisions

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