Municipal code
Santa Clara Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of Santa Clara, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Last updated
- 2026-09-27
- Contents
- 2,647 sections
- Jurisdiction
- Santa Clara
Contents
- Article I — Name of City
- Article II — Boundaries
- Article III — Succession
- Article IV — Powers
- Article V — Form of Government
▸Article VI — The Elective Officers
▸Article VII — The Council
Overview▸§ 700. Term – Method of holding elections.
▸§ 701. Term limits of mayor and council members.
▸§ 714. Power to lease, sell, or convey City property.
- Article VIII — City Manager, Ordinances, Meetings
- Article IX — Officers and Employees
- Article X — Appointive Boards and Commissions
- Article XI — Civil Service
- Article XII — Retirement
▸Article XIII — Fiscal Administration
Overview▸§ 1306. Tax system and collection of taxes.
- Article XIV — Franchises
- Article XV — Reserved
- Article XVI — Reserved
- Article XVII — Reserved Powers, State Election Code and Amendments to State Elections Code
- Article XVIII — Miscellaneous
- Title 2 — Administration and Personnel
- Chapter 2.05 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 2.10 — CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.15 — CITY MANAGER
- Chapter 2.20 — CITY CLERK
- Chapter 2.25 — CITY ATTORNEY
- Chapter 2.29 — OFFICE OF THE CITY AUDITOR
- Chapter 2.30 — INDEPENDENT EXTERNAL AUDITOR
- Chapter 2.35 — DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 2.40 — ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.45 — STREET DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.50 — AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.55 — BUILDING MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.60 — UTILITIES ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 2.65 — ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.70 — WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.75 — PLANNING AND INSPECTION DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.80 — POLICE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.85 — FIRE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.90 — LIBRARY DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.95 — COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.100 — PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.105 — FINANCE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.110 — HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.115 — LICENSE OR PERMIT – GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS AND APPEAL PROCEDURE
- Chapter 2.120 — BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
- Article I — Establishment, Powers and Duties Generally
- Article II — Duties and Responsibilities Enumerated
- Chapter 2.125 — MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
▸Article I — Findings and Purposes
- Article II — Definitions
- Article III — Contribution Limits
- Article IV — Voluntary Expenditure Limits
- Article V — Surplus Campaign Funds
- Article VI — Enforcement
- Article VII — Additional Disclosure Requirements
- Article VIII — Agency Responsibility
- Article IX — Miscellaneous Provisions
- Article X — Dark Money
▸Article I — Cemeteries Generally
- Article II — Removal of All Remains
- Article III — City-Owned Cemeteries
- Chapter 2.140 — EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND DISASTER COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.145 — RESTRICTIONS ON ACTIVITIES OF CITY OFFICIALS AND CERTAIN CITY EMPLOYEES
- Chapter 2.150 — PAYMENT OF PREVAILING WAGES
- Chapter 2.155 — REGULATION OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES
- Chapter 2.160 — CALENDARS OF CERTAIN CITY OFFICIALS
- Title 3 — Revenue and Finance
- Chapter 3.05 — ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF PROPERTY TAXES
- Chapter 3.10 — UNIFORM SALES AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.15 — DWELLING UNIT TAX
- Chapter 3.20 — MINIMUM WAGE ORDINANCE
- Chapter 3.25 — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
- Chapter 3.30 — UTILITY SERVICE EXCISE TAX
- Chapter 3.35 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
- Chapter 3.40 — BUSINESS TAX
- Chapter 3.45 — INSURANCE PROGRAM BOND LAW
- Article I — General Provisions and Definitions
- Article II — Issuance of Bonds to Finance Program
- Article III — Miscellaneous Provisions
- Chapter 3.50 — SPECIAL GAS TAX STREET IMPROVEMENT FUND
- Chapter 3.55 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
▸Article I — General Provisions
- Article II — Solicitation of Employment, Business or Contribution of Money or Other Property f…
- Article III — Operating Regulations and Permit Conditions for Ice Cream Trucks
- Article IV — Stadium Area Sidewalk Vending
▸Article I — In General
- Article II — Application and Fees
- Chapter 5.15 — CHRISTMAS TREE, PUMPKINS AND OTHER SEASONAL SALES LOTS
▸Article I — Generally
- Article II — Manner of Granting
- Article III — Scope of Franchise
- Article IV — Duties and Liabilities
- Chapter 5.25 — CABLE SYSTEM FRANCHISES
- Chapter 5.26 — STATE VIDEO SERVICE FRANCHISES
▸Article I — Pawnbrokers and Secondhand Dealers
- Article II — Junk Dealers
- Chapter 5.35 — TAXICABS AND PEDI-CABS
- Article II — Permits and Regulations
- Article III — Taxicab Driver's Permit
- Article IV — Pedi-Cab Operator's Permit
- Article V — Suspension and Revocation
- Chapter 5.40 — MASSAGE SERVICES AND MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 5.45 — FORTUNETELLING
- Chapter 5.50 — PEEP SHOWS
- Chapter 5.55 — PRIVATE PATROL OPERATOR AND REGULATIONS
- Chapter 5.60 — PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT
- Chapter 5.61 — PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT GENERALLY
- Chapter 5.65 — CARNIVALS, CIRCUSES, TENT SHOWS, PROMOTIONAL SHOWS, AND SIMILAR BUSINESS ENTERP…
- Chapter 5.70 — CARD ROOMS
- Chapter 5.75 — BINGO
- Chapter 5.80 — AUTOMATIC AMUSEMENT GAMES
- Chapter 5.85 — PUBLIC DANCE HALLS AND PUBLIC DANCES
▸Article I — Franchise Procedures
- Article II — Duties and Liabilities
- Chapter 5.95 — PROCEDURE – SUSPENSION, REVOCATION
- Chapter 5.100 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
- Chapter 6.05 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 6.10 — IMPOUNDMENT OF ANIMALS
- Chapter 6.15 — KEEPING OF CERTAIN ANIMALS
- Chapter 6.20 — ABATEMENT OF ANIMAL PESTS
- Chapter 6.28 — BEEKEEPING
- Chapter 6.30 — DOGS AND CATS
- Chapter 6.35 — ANIMAL ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 6.40 — DANGEROUS AND EXOTIC ANIMALS
- Chapter 6.45 — SALE OF ANIMALS
- Chapter 6.50 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
- Chapter 8.05 — ALARM SYSTEMS
- Chapter 8.10 — FOOD AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 8.15 — WEEDS
- Chapter 8.20 — MOSQUITO ABATEMENT
- Chapter 8.25 — ACCUMULATION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE
- Chapter 8.26 — EDIBLE FOOD RECOVERY
- Chapter 8.30 — PUBLIC NUISANCES
- Chapter 8.35 — SMOKING AND TOBACCO REGULATIONS
- Chapter 8.37 — SMOKING LOUNGES
- Chapter 8.40 — FALSE ALARM REGULATION
- Chapter 8.45 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
- Chapter 8.50 — PORTABLE AUTOMOTIVE SPRAYFINISHING OPERATIONS UTILIZING FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIB…
- Chapter 8.55 — GRAFFITI
- Chapter 8.60 — UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
- Chapter 8.65 — EMERGENCY EVICTIONS PROTECTION
- Chapter 9.05 — IN GENERAL
▸Article I — Noise and Vibration from Fixed Sources
- Article II — Off-Street Operation of Certain Construction Sites
- Chapter 9.15 — REGULATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN ADVERTISING MATERIAL INCLUDING HANDBI…
- Chapter 9.20 — RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN COMMERCIAL DRUG PARAPHERNALIA ACTIVITIES
- Chapter 9.25 — NEWS RACKS
- Chapter 9.30 — TRESPASSING
- Chapter 9.35 — REGULATION OF USE OF PARKS BY LARGE GROUPS
- Chapter 9.40 — REGULATION OF SELF-SERVICE DISPLAY OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS
- Chapter 9.45 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
- Chapter 9.50 — MULTIPLE RESPONSES TO LOUD OR UNRULY PARTIES, GATHERINGS OR EVENTS
- Chapter 9.55 — PROHIBITION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
- Chapter 9.60 — FOOD AND BUILDING SERVICE WORKER RETENTION
- Chapter 9.65 — HOTEL SERVICE WORKER RETENTION
- Chapter 9.70 — COVID-19 WORKER RECALL PROTECTIONS
- Chapter 10.05 — MOTOR VEHICLE AND TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
- Chapter 10.06 — SPECTATORS PROHIBITED AT ILLEGAL SPEED CONTESTS AND RECKLESS DRIVING EXHIBITIONS
- Chapter 10.07 — TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURES
- Chapter 10.10 — VEHICLES – ABANDONED, WRECKED, DISMANTLED OR INOPERATIVE
- Chapter 10.15 — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
- Chapter 10.20 — FUNERAL ESCORT SERVICES
- Chapter 10.25 — VEHICLE PARKING, STOPPING, OR STANDING VIOLATION APPEAL PROCEDURE
- Chapter 10.30 — REGULATION OF OFF-STREET OPERATION OF CERTAIN VEHICLES
- Chapter 10.35 — SHARED MOBILITY DEVICES
- Chapter 10.40 — RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING
- Chapter 10.45 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
- Chapter 12.05 — OBSTRUCTIONS, LOITERING AND MISCELLANY
- Chapter 12.10 — SIGNS ON STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
- Chapter 12.15 — PARADES AND PROCESSIONS
- Chapter 12.25 — EXCAVATION AND USE OF CITY RIGHTS-OF-WAY
- Chapter 12.30 — SIDEWALKS
- Article I — Generally
- Article II — Construction Generally
- Article III — Repairs
- Chapter 12.35 — TREES AND SHRUBS
▸Article I — Underground Districts Created Prior to March 1, 1969
- Article II — Underground Utility Districts Created on or after March 1, 1969
- Chapter 12.45 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
- Chapter 12.50 — UNPERMITTED CAMPING AND LODGING ON PUBLIC STREETS, PUBLICLY OWNED PROPERTY, AN…
- Chapter 12.60 — FILM AND VIDEO PRODUCTION
- Chapter 13.05 — OPERATION OF AN ELECTRIC UTILITY
- Chapter 13.10 — SEWERS
- Article II — SEWER CONNECTION PROCEDURES AND SERVICE CHARGES
▸Article III — SEWER USE REGULATIONS
- Article IV — WASTEWATER DISCHARGE PERMITS – REPORTS
- Article V — ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 13.15 — WATER
- Article I — IN GENERAL
- Article II — WATER FROM FIRE HYDRANTS
- Article III — REGULATION OF WATER USAGE, WATER SHORTAGE EMERGENCY CONDITION
- Article IV — REGULATION OF RECYCLED WATER SERVICE AND USE
- Article V — BACKFLOW PREVENTION
- Article VI — LANDSCAPE WATER EFFICIENCY
- Article VII — ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 13.20 — STORM DRAINS AND DISCHARGES
- Article I — STORM DRAIN DISCHARGE, PROCEDURE, USE REGULATIONS, AND PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES
- Article II — STORM DRAIN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE FEE
- Article III — POLYSTYRENE FOAM DISPOSABLE SERVICE WARE
- Article IV — SINGLE-USE CARRY-OUT PLASTIC BAGS
- Chapter 13.25 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
- Chapter 15.05 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
- Chapter 15.10 — MOVING BUILDINGS
▸Chapter 15.17 — RESIDENTIAL CODE
Overview- 2.1. The unit meets the definition of an Accessory Dwelling Unit as defined in Cal. Gov’t Code…
- 2.2. The existing primary residence does not have automatic fire sprinklers.
- 2.3. If the accessory dwelling unit is detached, it does not exceed 1,200 square feet in size.
- 2.4. The unit is on the same lot as the primary residence.
- Chapter 15.18 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
- Chapter 15.20 — ELECTRICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.25 — HOUSING CODE
- Chapter 15.30 — MECHANICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.35 — PLUMBING CODE
▸Chapter 15.36 — ENERGY CODE
- Chapter 15.37 — HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.39 — EXPEDITED PERMITTING PROCESS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
- Chapter 15.40 — DANGEROUS BUILDING CODE
▸Article I — Scope and Administration
- Article II — Applicability
- Article III — Duties and Powers of the Floodplain Administrator
- Article IV — Site Plans and Documentation
- Article V — Variances
- Article VI — Violations
- Article VII — Definitions
- Article VIII — Subdivisions
- Article IX — Site Improvement
- Article X — Manufactured Homes
- Article XI — Accessory Structures
- Article XII — Flood Control Projects
- Chapter 15.50 — UNIFORM BUILDING SECURITY CODE
- Chapter 15.55 — SEISMIC HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
- Chapter 15.60 — MUNICIPAL FIRE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CODE
▸Article I — Definitions and General Provisions
- Article II — Prohibitions
- Chapter 15.70 — NUMBERING OF BUILDINGS
- Chapter 15.75 — EXISTING BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.80 — ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE
- Chapter 15.90 — SOLAR PERMITS
▸Article I — Definitions, Application, Effect and Remedies Generally
- Article II — Notices
- Article III — Public and Private Property
- Article IV — Contributions and Advances
- Article V — Force Accounts and Revolving Funds
- Article VI — Procedure Generally
- Article VII — Reassessments
- Article VIII — Liens
▸Article I — Investigation Proceedings
- Article II — Proceeding Under Improvement Act of 1911
- Article III — Proceeding Under Street Opening Act of 1903
- Article IV — Proceeding Under Municipal Improvement Act of 1913
- Article V — Parking Districts
- Article VI — Maintenance Districts
- Article VII — Municipal Park Improvement Districts
- Article IX — Santa Clara Tourism Improvement District
▸Article I — Generally
- Article II — Bond Plan A – Lot Bonds
- Article III — Bond Plan B – District Bonds
- Article IV — Bond Plan C – District Liability Bonds
- Article V — Bond Plan D – Ad Valorem Land Bonds
- Article VI — Bond Plan E – Ad Valorem Realty Bonds
- Article VII — Bond Plan G – Vehicle Off-Street Parking Bonds
- Article VIII — Bond Plan H – Annual Benefit Assessment Bonds
- Article IX — Bond Anticipation Notes
- Chapter 16.20 — PUBLIC AUTHORITIES
- Article II — Sports and Open Space Authority
- Article III — Powers
- Article IV — Revenue Bonds
- Article V — Rates, Fees and Charges
- Article VI — Rights of Obligees
- Chapter 16.25 — ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES
- Title 17 — Development
- Chapter 17.05 — SUBDIVISIONS
- Article II — Definitions and Responsibilities
- Article III — Maps Required
- Article IV — Subdivision of Five or More Parcels
- Article V — Subdivision of Four or Fewer Parcels (Minor Subdivisions)
- Article VI — Dedications and Reservations
- Article VII — Subdivision Improvements
- Article VIII — Vesting Tentative Maps
- Article IX — Penalties
▸Article I — Purpose
- Article II — Authority for Adoption
- Article III — Definitions
- Article IV — Applications and Forms
- Article V — Hearing Before Planning Commission
- Article VI — Hearing Before City Council
- Article VII — Notice Provisions and Procedure for Public Hearings Before Planning Commission o…
- Article VIII — Review – Certificate of Compliance, Termination or Modification
- Article IX — Amendment or Cancellation of Agreement by Mutual Consent
- Article X — Miscellaneous Provisions
- Chapter 17.15 — PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS
- Chapter 17.20 — PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL STADIUM GROUND LEASE
- Chapter 17.25 — BAYSHORE NORTH PROJECT ENHANCEMENT AUTHORITY
- Article II — Bayshore North Project Enhancement Authority
- Article III — Powers
- Article IV — Revenue Bonds
- Article V — Rights of Obligees
- Chapter 17.30 — STADIUM AUTHORITY PROCUREMENT POLICY
- Article II — General Provisions and Definitions
- Chapter 17.35 — PARK AND RECREATIONAL LAND
- Chapter 17.40 — CITYWIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
- Title SR. Statutory References for California Cities
- § SR.020. Administration and Personnel.
- § SR.030. Revenue and Finance.
- § SR.040. Business Licenses, Taxes and Regulations.
- § SR.050. Animals.
- § SR.070. Public Peace, Morals and Welfare.
- § SR.080. Vehicles and Traffic.
- § SR.090. Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places.
- § SR.100. Public Services.
- § SR.120. Subdivisions.
- § SR.140. Environment.
- Title CRT. Cross Reference Table
- Title OL. Ordinance List and Disposition Table