Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in Santa Clara County, CA (2026)

1 county-level rule, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Santa Clara County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Density Bonus Law

Unincorporated Santa Clara County processes density bonus requests under state law, reducing minimum lot size or lot-area-per-unit standards for affordable multi-family housing developments that qualify under California's density bonus statute.

Santa Clara County Density Bonus Rules

Some Restrictions

Santa Clara County Zoning Ordinance § 4.20.030

Applicants for housing development proposals may be eligible for a density bonus or other incentives to produce and maintain housing affordable to low and very low income households pursuant to the provisions and requirements of California Government Code Sections 65915 through 65918. Other incentives, such as reductions in standards, parking requirements, mixed use development, or other conces...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses by City in Santa Clara County

4 cities in Santa Clara County have their own zoning overlays & bonuses rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

San JosePop. 1,013,240

2 verified rules • Density Bonus Law, Downtown Design Guide

SunnyvalePop. 155,805

2 verified rules • Density Bonus Law, Downtown Design Guide

Santa ClaraPop. 127,647

2 verified rules • Density Bonus Law, Downtown Design Guide

Mountain ViewPop. 82,376

1 verified rule • Density Bonus Law

All Santa Clara County ordinances

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