Santa Clara, CA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- R1-6L/R1-8L height cap
- 25 feet
- Height within 20 ft of R1/R2 zones
- 32 feet (R2-R6)
- R6 base height cap
- 200 feet
- R1-6L/R1-8L max stories
- 2 stories
- Daylight plane near R1/R2
- 45-degree plane off property line
- Governing table
- Title 18, Table 2-3, § 18.30.040
Summary
Santa Clara caps residential building height at 25 feet in the R1-6L and R1-8L single-family zones, and limits structures within 20 feet of any R1-6L, R1-8L or R2 zone boundary to 32 feet even in higher-density R3 through R6 zones.
Height (maximum) measured in feet. Height (within 20 feet of the R1-6L, R1-8L, and R2 zones) 25 25 32 32 32 32 32. H Height (all other zones) 25 25 32 40 80 100 200. Number of Stories (maximum) All structures adjacent to R1 and R2 zones shall include a 45-degree daylight plan off the property line to implement a compatible transition between structures. Number of Stories 2 2 2 4 8 10 20
Full Breakdown
030, sets two height columns measured in feet. The first, 'Height (within 20 feet of the R1-6L, R1-8L, and R2 zones),' applies a transition standard: R1-6L and R1-8L structures are limited to 25 feet, while R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 structures located within 20 feet of any R1-6L, R1-8L or R2 zone boundary are capped at 32 feet, even though those same zones allow much taller buildings elsewhere on the same parcel. The second column, 'Height (all other zones),' shows the base limit away from that 20-foot buffer: 25 feet in R1-6L and R1-8L, 32 feet in R2, 40 feet in R3, 80 feet in R4, 100 feet in R5, and 200 feet in R6.
040 for additional measurement and exception rules. ' That daylight plane is a building-envelope control distinct from the flat height number, meaning a project can meet the 25-foot or 32-foot cap and still need to step back the upper floors to clear the 45-degree plane where it abuts a single-family zone.
Violations & Fines
A structure built above the applicable Table 2-3 height limit, or that violates the 45-degree daylight-plane requirement adjacent to an R1 or R2 zone, is a Title 18 violation. Under City Code Section 18.152.070 such violations are declared a public nuisance and a strict-liability offense; the City can record a Notice of Violation, pursue infraction or misdemeanor charges, and levy administrative and civil penalties under Section 1.05.070 and Chapter 1.10.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be built in Santa Clara's R1-6L zone?
Can an R3 or R4 building be taller near a single-family neighborhood in Santa Clara?
What is a daylight plane and does Santa Clara require one?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara to another location·View the California building setbacks & zoning overview
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Structure Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle structure height limits.