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Title 18 — Zoning Code

Chapter 18.140 — Administrative Responsibility

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

Sections

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– Purpose – Planning Agency – City Council – Planning Commission – Community Development Director

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– Purpose

The purpose of this Chapter is to describe the authority and responsibilities of the City Council, Planning Commission, and Community Development Director in the administration of this Zoning Code.

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– Planning Agency

The Planning Commission and the Community Development Director shall function as the Planning Agency and as the Advisory Agency, when so required or authorized, in compliance with Government Code Section 65100.

– City Council

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The City Council, referred to in this Zoning Code as the Council, in matters related to the City's planning process shall perform the duties and functions prescribed in this SCCC Section 2.10.020 (Powers and Duties) and this Zoning Code, which include all of the following:

  • A. Review Authority on Specified Legislative Planning Matters. Final legislative decisions on development agreements and amendments, General Plan amendments, specific plans and amendments, Zoning Code amendments, Zoning Map amendments, related CEQA environmental documents, and other applicable policy or Zoning Code matters related to the City's planning process.

  • B. Appeals. The review of appeals filed from Planning Commission and the Community Development Director decisions in compliance with Chapter 18.144 (Appeals).

  • C. Compliance. The above-listed functions shall be performed in compliance with Table 6-1 (Review Authority), Chapter 17.05 (Subdivisions), and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

  • D. Imposition of Conditions. In making decisions on applications, the Council may impose conditions it deems reasonable and necessary to implement the General Plan, any applicable specific plans, the City Code standards that apply to development, and to further the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community.

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ZONING

Chapter 18.140

Administrative Responsibility

– Planning Commission

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  • A. Establishment. The Planning Commission, referred to in this Zoning Code as the Planning Commission, is established in compliance with Sections 1006 and 1007 of the City Charter and SCCC Section 2.120.050 (Planning Commission).

  • B. Appointment. The Planning Commission shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed by the Council in compliance with SCCC Section 2.120.050 (Planning Commission).

  • C. Duties and Authority. The Planning Commission shall perform the duties and functions prescribed by Government Code Section 65000, SCCC Section 2.120.050 (Planning Commission) and this Zoning Code, specified in Subparagraphs 1 to 4 below. In addition, the Council may, from time to time by resolution, prescribe additional powers and duties not inconsistent with State Law.

    1. The review of development projects, including referrals from the Community Development Director;

    2. The review of appeals from the Community Development Director’s decisions and the Community Development Director’s and Department staff’s determinations;

    3. The recommendation, to the Council for final legislative decisions, on development agreements and amendments, General Plan amendments, specific plans and amendments, Zoning Code amendments, Zoning Map amendments, related CEQA environmental documents, and other applicable policy or regulatory matters related to the City's planning process; and

    4. The above-listed functions shall be performed in compliance with Table 6-1 (Review Authority), and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

  • D. Meeting Notices and Conduct of Hearings. The Planning Commission shall conduct public hearings and meetings in compliance with SCCC Section 2.120.050 (Planning Commission) and Chapter 18.146 (Public Notices and Hearings).

  • E. Imposition of Conditions. In making decisions on applications, the Planning Commission may impose conditions it deems reasonable and necessary to implement the General Plan, any applicable specific plans, the City Code standards that apply to development, and to further the public health, safety and general welfare of the community.

  • F. Appeals. The Planning Commission shall review and decide appeals filed from Director decisions. Decisions by the Planning Commission may be appealed to the Council subject to the provisions of Chapter 18.144 (Appeals).

– Community Development Director

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  • A. Appointment. The Community Development Director, referred to in this Zoning Code as the Director or the Director’s designee.

  • B. Duties and Authority. The Director shall:

    1. Have the responsibility to perform all of the functions designated by State law and SCCC Chapter 2.75 (Planning and Inspection Department);

    2. Perform the duties and functions prescribed in this Zoning Code, including compliance with Table 6-1 (Review Authority), and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA);

Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

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SANTA CLARA CODE

Article 7 – Zoning Code Administration

Chapter 18.140

3. Have the authority to defer action on an application and refer the request to the Planning Commission for consideration and final action;

4. Perform other responsibilities assigned by the Council, Planning Commission, or City Manager; and

5. Delegate the responsibilities of the Director to Department staff under the supervision of the Director.

  • C. Imposition of Conditions. In making decisions on applications, the Director may impose conditions the Director deems reasonable and necessary to implement the General Plan, any applicable specific plans, the City Code standards that apply to development, and to further the public health, safety and general welfare of the community.

  • D. Appeals. Depending on the type of approval, decisions made by the Director may be appealed to the Planning Commission or Council, subject to the requirements of Chapter 18.144 (Appeals).

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ZONING

Chapter 18.140

Administrative Responsibility

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SANTA CLARA CODE

Article 7 – Zoning Code Administration

Chapter 18.142

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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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