Chapter 18.142 — Amendments (General Plan, Zoning Code, and Zoning Map)
Santa Clara Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Santa Clara
Sections
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– Purpose
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- Initiation of Amendment
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– Project Review, Notice, and Hearing
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– Planning Commission's Action on Amendment
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- Council’s Action on Amendment
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- Effective Dates
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– Purpose
This Chapter provides procedures for the amendment of the General Plan, this Zoning Code, and the Official Zoning Map whenever the Council determines public necessity and general welfare require an amendment.
A. General Plan Amendments. T he General Plan is the City's guiding land use policy document on which the Official Zoning Map is based, and the City shall strive to achieve substantial consistency between the two documents. Amendments to the General Plan shall be by resolution adopted by the Council, following noticed public hearings before the Planning Commission and Council.
B. Zoning Code Amendments. This Zoning Code specifies all the rules, regulations, and standards that serve to implement the General Plan. Amendments to this Zoning Code shall be by resolution adopted by the Council, following noticed public hearings before the Planning Commission and Council.
C. Zoning Map Amendments.
1. All land in the incorporated area of the City is classified into various zones. These zones are outlined on one or more of the City’s Official Zoning Maps. Article 2 (Zones, Allowable Uses, and Development Standards) describes the uses of land that are allowed in each zone and Article 4 (Standards for Specific Land Uses) describes the development standards applicable for each specific use.
2. A Zoning Map Amendment is a procedure involving an application to reclassify land to a different zone. If approved by the Council, it results in a change to the adopted Official Zoning Map. It is also common to process a General Plan Map Amendment together with a Zoning Map Amendment since the General Plan is the City's guiding land use policy document which the Zoning Map is based on, and the City shall strive to achieve substantial consistency between the two.
3. Amendments to the Zoning Map shall be by resolution adopted by the Council, following noticed public hearings before the Planning Commission and Council.
Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18
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Publication, Apr 2026
ZONING
Chapter 18.142
Amendments
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– Initiation of Amendment
A. Initiation. An amendment to this Zoning Code may be initiated:
1. By the Planning Commission or Council or as specified in Subsection B., below; or
2. By recommendation of the Director to clarify text, address changes mandated by State law, promote consistency with the General Plan, or for any other reason beneficial to the City.
- B. General Plan or Zoning Map Amendments Only. In the case of the General Plan or the Zoning Map, an amendment may also be initiated by the filing of an amendment application with the Department by all of the owners or authorized agent(s)/representative(s) of the property owner(s) to be affected by the amendment, or the plaintiff in an action in eminent domain to acquire the subject property.
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– Project Review, Notice, and Hearing
A. Application Filing and Processing.
1. If initiated by the filing of an amendment application in compliance with Subsection 18.142.020 B. (General Plan or Zoning Map Amendments Only), above, the application shall be processed in compliance with Chapter 18.112 (Application Processing Procedures).
2. The application shall include all of the information and materials specified in the most upto-date Department handout for amendment applications, together with the required fee in compliance with the Fee Schedule.
3. Referrals to other agencies required.
- **a. General Plan Amendments.** The Department shall send out referrals to all of the affected agencies for their review and comment in compliance with Government Code Section 65352 (Referral of plans).
- **b. All Other Amendments.** The Department shall send out referrals to all of the affected agencies for their review and comment.
B. Public Hearings Required. The Planning Commission and Council shall each conduct one or more public hearings regarding the amendment.
C. Notice of Hearings Required. Notice of the public hearings shall be provided and the hearings shall be conducted in compliance with Chapter 18.146 (Public Notices and Hearings).
D. Abandonment of Amendment Proceedings.
1. Withdrawn by Applicant. Upon the consent of the Planning Commission, any application for an amendment may be withdrawn upon the written application of a majority of the persons who signed the application.
2. Withdrawn by Review Authority. The applicable Review Authority may, by resolution, abandon any proceedings for an amendment initiated by its own resolution of intention; provided that the abandonment may be made only when the proceedings are before the subject Review Authority for consideration, and further provided that any hearing of which public notice has been given shall be held.
Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18
July 2025
7-6
18 Attachment 1:437
Publication, Apr 2026
SANTA CLARA CODE
Article 7 – Zoning Code Administration
Chapter 18.142
– Planning Commission Action on Amendments
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A. All Amendments. After the public hearing, the Planning Commission shall forward a written recommendation to the Council whether to approve, approve in modified form, or deny the proposed amendment.
B. Recommendations on Zoning Code and Zoning Map Amendments. A recommendation for approval, approval in modified form, or denial of a Zoning Code or Zoning Map amendment shall require the affirmative vote of the majority of the entire membership of the Planning Commission. In the event the Planning Commission is unable to reach agreement on a recommendation, the amendment shall be forwarded to the Council with no recommendation.
C. Recommendations on General Plan Amendments. A recommendation for approval or approval in modified form of a General Plan amendment shall require the affirmative vote of the majority of the entire membership of the Planning Commission. In the event the Planning Commission is unable to reach agreement on a recommendation, the amendment shall be forwarded to the Council with a recommendation of denial.
– Council Action on Amendments
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A.
Approval.
1. All Amendments. Upon receipt of the Planning Commission's recommendation to approve, approve in modified form, or deny an amendment, the Council shall conduct a public hearing and either approve, approve in modified form, or deny the amendment.
2. Action on Zoning Code and Zoning Map Amendments. The action by the Council to approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation regarding a Zoning Code or Zoning Map amendment shall require the affirmative vote of the majority of the entire membership of the Council. In the event the Council is unable to reach agreement on a proposed Zoning Code or Zoning Map amendment, the amendment shall be deemed denied.
3. Action on General Plan Amendments. The action by the Council to approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation regarding a General Plan amendment shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire membership of the Council, adopted by resolution, and shall be final and conclusive. In the event the Council is unable to reach agreement on a proposed General Plan amendment, the amendment shall be deemed denied.
B. Referral to Planning Commission.
1. Council Referral for Further Study.
a. The Council may defer action on an amendment and instead request the Planning Commission to study and report on the proposed amendment.
b. Upon receipt of the request from the Council, the Planning Commission shall conduct the requested study at a public meeting.
c. If the Planning Commission fails to report back to the Council within a reasonable time period, in the Council’s sole discretion, the Council shall have the option of actin on the amendment without the Planning Commission’s recommendation on the amendment.
Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18
July 2025 7-7
18 Attachment 1:438
Publication, Apr 2026
ZONING
Chapter 18.142
Amendments
2. Council Referral for Substantial Modifications to Previously Considered Amendments.
a. If the Council proposes to adopt a substantial modification(s) to the amendment not previously considered by the Planning Commission, the proposed modification shall be first referred to the Planning Commission for its recommendation.
b. The Planning Commission shall not be required to hold a public hearing on the referral.
c. Failure to Respond – General Plan Amendments. If the Planning Commission fails to report back to the Council within 45 days after the referral of the General Plan amendment, or a longer period as may be designated by the Council, the Planning Commission’s inaction shall be treated as a recommendation for approval of the amendment in compliance with Government Code Sections 65356.
d. Failure to Respond – Zoning Code and Zoning Map Amendments. If the Planning Commission fails to report back to the Council within a reasonable time period after the referral of a Zoning Code or Zoning Map Amendment, in the Council's sole discretion, the Council shall have the option of acting on the amendment without the Planning Commission's recommendation on the amendment.
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– Effective Dates
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Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18
July 2025
7-8
18 Attachment 1:439
Publication, Apr 2026
SANTA CLARA CODE
Article 7 – Zoning Code Administration
Chapter 18.144