California Penal Code section 53071 preempts almost all local firearm regulation, so Santa Clara County cannot register or restrict gun ownership beyond state law. Narrow zoning and ammunition vendor rules survive in unincorporated areas under SCC Ord. NS-509.99.
Penal Code section 53071 fully occupies the field of firearm registration, licensing, manufacture, sale, possession, and transportation, voiding most conflicting county ordinances. Santa Clara County retains zoning authority over gun dealers and ammunition vendors under Ordinance NS-509.99 and County Zoning Ordinance Division C13, which require permits, separation buffers, and security plans for firearm businesses in unincorporated areas. Statewide SB-2 sensitive-place rules adopted in 2024 apply countywide across all fifteen cities and unincorporated areas. The County Sheriff and federal ATF rules layer on top. San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View have parallel municipal codes for businesses inside their city limits.
Violations of state firearms law are misdemeanors or felonies under the California Penal Code; the county can prosecute zoning or vendor breaches under NS-509.99 but cannot add registration penalties beyond state law.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara regulates amplified sound and music through City Code Chapter 9.10, requiring permits for amplified events and prohibiting audible music at 50 fe...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara regulates outdoor music at venues including Levis Stadium and Santana Row under City Code Chapter 9.10 and conditional use permits, with amplifie...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara requires encroachment permits for new driveways, limits driveway width by zoning, and prohibits parking across sidewalks regardless of property o...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara tows abandoned vehicles after 72 hours under CVC 22651(k) and participates in the Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program for priv...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara limits recreational vehicle street parking to 72 hours, requires permits for extended street storage, and restricts driveway RV storage under zon...
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara fences must meet height, material, setback, and visibility standards under City Code Title 18 Zoning, with special rules for corner lots, histori...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
See how Santa Clara's local firearms preemption rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.