Santa Clara County has no countywide HPOZ. A handful of cities run their own heritage districts, including Mountain View's Whisman and Old Mountain View, plus Palo Alto's Professorville, where overlay design review applies to exterior changes.
Unlike Los Angeles, Santa Clara County operates no countywide Historic Preservation Overlay Zone over unincorporated land. Within incorporated jurisdictions, three cities maintain HPOZ-style overlays. Mountain View designates two districts under MVMC §36.27, requiring Heritage Preservation Commission review for visible alterations, demolitions, and new construction. Palo Alto's Professorville district under PAMC §16.49 imposes Historic Resources Board approval for exterior changes to contributing structures. Saratoga and Los Gatos use individual landmark designations rather than overlays. Outside these districts, county heritage rules rely on the SCC Heritage Resource Inventory administered by the Department of Planning and Development.
Unpermitted exterior alterations or demolition inside a city HPOZ district trigger stop-work orders, restoration mandates, and per-day administrative fines that can exceed $1,000 plus mandatory CEQA review for repeat infractions.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale permits construction noise Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM. No construction on Sundays or major holidays without ...
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale was one of the earliest California cities to ban gas-powered leaf blowers, ahead of statewide AB 1346. Only electric or battery blowers are allowed...
Sunnyvale, CA
Aircraft noise from Moffett Federal Airfield, NASA Ames, and San Jose International is preempted by federal FAA rules. Sunnyvale cannot regulate overflight n...
Sunnyvale, CA
Street parking in Sunnyvale is governed by SMC Title 10 and California Vehicle Code. The 72-hour rule (CVC 22651(k)) applies, and posted permit zones restric...
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale driveway construction and use are governed by SMC Title 19 zoning and Title 16 encroachment rules. Blocking sidewalks or the public right-of-way is...
Sunnyvale, CA
RVs, trailers, and boats over 6 feet tall or 22 feet long are restricted on Sunnyvale streets under SMC Title 10. Short-term loading is allowed with limits; ...
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