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Title 18 — Zoning Code

Chapter 18.148 — Specific Plans and Amendments

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

Sections

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  • Purpose – Intent

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  • Applicability

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  • Minimum Project Area

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– Initiation of Specific Plan

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  • Project Review, Notice, and Hearing

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  • Adoption of Specific Plan

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  • Amentment of Specific Plan

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– Purpose

The purpose of this Chapter is to provide a process for preparing, processing, reviewing, adopting, and amending specific plans in compliance with Government Code Section 65450 et seq. or as that section may be amended or replaced from time to time.

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– Intent

  • A. General Plan Implementation. After the Council has adopted the General Plan, or any amendment, the City may, or as directed by the Council, shall prepare specific plans for the implementation of the General Plan.

  • B. Adopted by Resolution. A specific plan adopted by resolution shall take precedence over the development standards and guidelines identified in the General Plan.

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– Applicability

  • A. Specific Plan – When Required. When required by the General Plan or this Zoning Code to systematically implement the General Plan, a specific plan shall be prepared, processed, approved and implemented, denied, and amended in compliance with this Chapter.

  • B. Flexibility and Innovation. A specific plan is designed to provide for flexibility, innovative use of land resources and development, a variety of housing and other development types, and an effective and safe method of pedestrian and vehicular circulation.

  • C. Planning Commission and Council Review. An application for a specific plan shall be considered by the Planning Commission and Council.

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– Minimum Project Area

A specific plan may only be requested for a site(s) with a minimum of two acres.

Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

July 2025 7-21

18 Attachment 1:452

Publication, Apr 2026

ZONING

Chapter 18.148

Permit Modifications and Revocations

– Initiation of Specific Plan

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A specific plan may only be initiated by the Council or proposed by the Planning Commission or Director.

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– Project Review, Notice, and Hearing

  • A. Hearings. Public hearings shall be required for the Planning Commission’s recommendation and the Council’s action on a specific plan or a specific plan amendment.

  • B. Notice. Notice of the public hearings shall be given and the hearings shall be conducted in compliance with Chapter 18.146 (Public Notices and Hearings).

– Adoption of Specific Plan

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  • A. Mandatory Finding for Adoption. A specific plan may only be adopted if first found consistent with the General Plan.

  • B. Method of Adoption. The specific plan shall be adopted by resolution of the Council.

– Amendment of Specific Plans

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  • A. Process for Amendment. A specific plan may be amended through the same procedures specified by this Chapter for the adoption of a specific plan.

  • B. Mandatory Finding for Amendment. A specific plan may only be amended if first found consistent with the General Plan.

  • C. Frequency of Amendments. The specific plan may be amended as often as deemed necessary by the Council.

Santa Clara Zoning Code, Title 18

July 2025

7-22

18 Attachment 1:453

Publication, Apr 2026

SANTA CLARA CODE

Article 7 – Zoning Code Administration

Chapter 18.150

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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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