Pop. 127,647 · Santa Clara County
Santa Clara permits ADUs and JADUs under California Gov Code 65852.2. Ministerial approval applies to compliant designs with no owner-occupancy requirement and no discretionary review.
In Santa Clara, permanent tiny homes on foundations may be approved as ADUs. Tiny homes on wheels are treated as RVs and cannot be used as long-term residences on private lots.
Sheds 120 sq ft or less in Santa Clara usually do not need a building permit but must meet setbacks and height limits. Larger sheds require a building permit and zoning review.
California law requires smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of dwellings in Santa Clara. Carbon monoxide alarms are also mandatory.
Small backyard recreational fires are allowed in Santa Clara in a manufactured container, kept under 3 feet and 10 feet from structures. Larger bonfires are not permitted in residential yards.
All fireworks, including Safe and Sane, are illegal in the City of Santa Clara. Possession, sale, or discharge carries citations and fines enforced by SCPD and Santa Clara County Fire.
Santa Clara is mostly on the valley floor and not mapped as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, but nearby foothills trigger PRC 4291 defensible space for properties bordering wildland.
Open burning of yard waste, trash, or construction debris is prohibited in Santa Clara. Only small recreational fires and permitted cooking fires are allowed, subject to BAAQMD air rules.
Santa Clara is largely not mapped in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, but adjacent foothill communities are. Check the CAL FIRE map before building or landscaping near open space.
Santa Clara allows residential fire pits fueled by propane or natural gas. Wood-burning devices face Bay Area Air Quality Management District curfews during Spare the Air alerts.
Santa Clara County Fire Code under Title B incorporates the California Fire Code and IFC §6101 governing propane storage. Residential cylinders aggregating 10 gallons or less are exempt; aggregate quantities above 25 gallons require an SCCFD or CalFire CZU operational permit and IFC §6104 setbacks.
Santa Clara must treat small and large family daycare homes as permitted residential uses under California Health and Safety Code 1597.40, which preempts local zoning restrictions on licensed family daycares.
Home-based businesses in Santa Clara generally may not display commercial signage identifying the business. Residential sign rules allow only small non-commercial and address signs.
Home occupations in Santa Clara must not generate customer traffic, deliveries, or parking demand beyond a typical residential use. High-traffic businesses are prohibited at home.
Santa Clara requires a home occupation permit and business license for residents operating a business from a dwelling, with limits on signage, employees, customer visits, and external evidence of commercial activity.
Santa Clara home kitchens may operate as Cottage Food Operations under CA AB 1616 and AB 1240. Registration or permit from Santa Clara County Public Health is required.
Santa Clara permits home occupations in residential zones with a business license and compliance with home occupation standards preserving the residential character of the neighborhood.
Santa Clara follows California Civil Code 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) presuming equal shared responsibility between adjoining owners for boundary fence construction and maintenance.
Santa Clara limits front yard fences to 3 feet and side/rear fences to 6 feet under City Code Title 18 Zoning, with corner lot visibility triangles and permits required for taller fences.
Santa Clara enforces California Health and Safety Code Section 115920 requiring pool barriers at least 60 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates and multiple layers of protection.
Santa Clara fences must meet height, material, setback, and visibility standards under City Code Title 18 Zoning, with special rules for corner lots, historic districts, and properties near schools.
Santa Clara prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, electric fencing, and substandard materials in residential zones under City Code Title 18, with additional material review required in historic districts.
Santa Clara requires building permits for fences exceeding 6 feet in height or any fence serving as a swimming pool barrier under City Code Title 18 and the California Building Code.
Santa Clara requires building permits for retaining walls over 4 feet tall or any wall supporting surcharge loads under the California Building Code, with drainage and structural engineering required.
Santa Clara requires short-term rental operators to register with the city, obtain a permit number, display it on listings, and renew annually with proof of compliance with safety and tax rules.
Santa Clara may impose annual night caps on short-term rentals, particularly for non-primary residences or hosted stays, to limit the conversion of housing stock to tourist lodging.
Santa Clara short-term rental guests must comply with the citywide noise ordinance, including quiet hours that typically run from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., with operators responsible for guest conduct.
Santa Clara short-term rentals are subject to occupancy caps typically based on bedroom count, plus California building and fire code occupant load limits to protect health and safety.
Santa Clara short-term rental operators must provide off-street parking consistent with residential zoning and ensure guests do not block driveways, fire lanes, or create parking impacts on neighbors.
Santa Clara imposes a 9.5% Transient Occupancy Tax on short-term rentals of fewer than 30 days, plus business license fees and registration costs payable to the Finance Department.
Santa Clara short-term rental operators are typically required to carry liability insurance covering the rental use, with minimum coverage amounts set by the city or platform and certificates kept on file.
Santa Clara regulates short-term rentals under its Municipal Code, generally requiring a business license, TOT registration, and zoning compliance before advertising stays under 30 days.
Santa Clara County zoning enforcement under Title A escalates penalties for repeated STR violations. Cities use formal strike systems suspending or revoking permits after multiple substantiated complaints.
Santa Clara County does not operate an extended home-share program for stays beyond standard short-term rental periods. State law treats stays of 30+ days as tenancies under California landlord-tenant rules.
California state law and city ordinances impose joint liability on STR hosts and platforms like Airbnb. Platforms must collect TOT, verify permits, and remove unpermitted listings on jurisdiction request.
Santa Clara County does not impose a uniform host-presence rule on short-term rentals. Some unincorporated zoning districts limit STRs to hosted home-share arrangements, while others permit unhosted whole-home rentals subject to permit, tax, and noise rules.
Santa Clara County has no countywide primary-residence rule for short-term rentals. San Jose, Mountain View, and Palo Alto require hosts to use the property as their primary home, while Saratoga and Los Gatos restrict STRs more broadly through zoning.
Santa Clara does not restrict dog ownership by breed due to California Food and Agricultural Code Section 31683 preemption, but may declare specific dogs dangerous based on individual behavior.
Santa Clara prohibits feeding of wildlife including coyotes, raccoons, deer, feral cats, and pigeons under City Code Chapter 6.10, with penalties intended to reduce urban wildlife conflicts.
Santa Clara requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet in all public places under City Code Chapter 6.10, except within designated off-leash areas at approved dog parks.
Santa Clara prohibits exotic and wild animals as pets under California Fish and Game Code Section 2116-2126 and City Code Chapter 6.10; violations carry fines up to 1,000 dollars.
Santa Clara generally prohibits livestock (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs) in residential zones under City Code Chapter 6.10; agricultural or rural residential zoning with minimum lot sizes is required.
Santa Clara permits up to 6 hens in residential zones under City Code Chapter 6.10 with 20-foot setbacks from dwellings; roosters are prohibited and larger livestock require agricultural zoning.
Santa Clara permits residential beekeeping with up to 2 hives per 5,000 square feet of lot area, requiring 20-foot setbacks from property lines and a water source under City Code Chapter 6.10.
Santa Clara County Title C (Animals) sets care standards and pet limits while California Penal Code §597 makes neglect or cruelty a crime. SCC Animal Services investigates hoarding with the Sheriff and District Attorney for seizure and prosecution.
Santa Clara County Title 4 zoning permits veterinary clinics in commercial zones with conditions on overnight boarding, outdoor runs, noise, and odor. Larger animal hospitals, kennels, or large-animal practices typically require a use permit from county Planning.
California Fish & Game Code §3503 to §3516 protect native birds, nests, and eggs, with raptors and migratory species getting enhanced safeguards. Santa Clara County Title C reinforces wildlife protection by banning intentional harm and feeding in unincorporated areas.
Santa Clara County Code Title C requires rabies vaccination for cats over four months and sets nuisance standards. SCC Animal Services and city partners support trap-neuter-return for managed feral colonies; outdoor cat owners remain liable for damage and wildlife harm.
Santa Clara County Code Title C requires sterilization of dogs and cats released from county shelters, mirroring California Food & Agricultural Code §30503. Cities such as San Jose and Sunnyvale extend a broader spay-neuter mandate to all owned dogs and cats over four months.
Santa Clara County Animal Services microchips every dog and cat adopted, redeemed, or released from its shelter and registers the chip to the new owner. San Jose and other cities now require microchips at licensing, expanding the mandate beyond shelter exits.
Santa Clara County and partner cities follow a coexistence model led by SCC Vector Control and CDFW: hazing, attractant removal, and lethal control only for sick or aggressive animals. Title C and city codes ban intentional feeding of coyotes and other wildlife.
California Health & Safety Code §122354.5 (AB-485, 2019) bars retail pet stores statewide, including throughout Santa Clara County, from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits unless sourced from public shelters or registered nonprofit rescues. SCC and city counsel handle enforcement.
Santa Clara County Code Title C generally caps unincorporated single-family residences at about three dogs and three cats over four months without a kennel or cattery permit. SCC Animal Services issues higher-count permits subject to zoning under SCC Title 4.
Pet groomers in unincorporated Santa Clara County need a county business license, zoning compliance under SCC Title 4, and sanitation standards under SCC DEH. Mobile groomers add vehicle and wastewater discharge requirements. California has no state grooming license.
Santa Clara prohibits habitual barking that disturbs neighbors under City Code Chapter 6.10, with dogs barking continuously for 30 minutes or intermittently for 60 minutes constituting a nuisance.
Santa Clara regulates amplified sound and music through City Code Chapter 9.10, requiring permits for amplified events and prohibiting audible music at 50 feet from the source after 10:00 PM.
Santa Clara regulates outdoor music at venues including Levis Stadium and Santana Row under City Code Chapter 9.10 and conditional use permits, with amplified outdoor music generally prohibited after 10:00 PM.
Santa Clara lies adjacent to San Jose International Airport (SJC). Aircraft noise is federally preempted under FAA Part 150, but complaints are handled by the SJC Airport Noise Office.
Santa Clara sets industrial zone noise limits at 70 dBA daytime and 70 dBA nighttime at receiving property lines under City Code Chapter 9.10, with stricter limits applied at residential boundaries.
Santa Clara sets decibel limits by zone under City Code Chapter 9.10: 50/55 dBA residential, 60/65 dBA commercial, and 70 dBA industrial, measured at the receiving property line.
Santa Clara restricts leaf blower operation to 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM weekdays and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekends, with gas-powered models phased out under California AB 1346 (SORE regulation) effective 2024.
Santa Clara enforces nighttime quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM weekdays and 10:00 PM to 9:00 AM weekends under City Code Chapter 9.10, with exterior noise limits measured at the property line.
Santa Clara permits construction Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with no Sunday or holiday work allowed under City Code Chapter 9.10.
Santa Clara weed abatement rules treat grass or weeds exceeding about 6 inches on residential property as a public nuisance subject to abatement and lien.
Santa Clara allows rainwater harvesting under the CA Rainwater Capture Act. Rain barrels under 5,000 gallons typically need no permit, but larger cisterns and pumps do.
Santa Clara protects designated heritage and street trees. Routine trimming on private trees is allowed, but major work on protected trees requires a permit from the city.
Removing street trees or protected heritage trees in Santa Clara requires a permit and often replacement planting. Removing small, non-heritage private trees is usually allowed.
Santa Clara encourages California native landscaping through MWELO compliance and Valley Water rebates. Native plants are allowed as lawn replacements citywide.
Santa Clara Water and Sewer Utilities enforces year-round outdoor watering rules under Valley Water guidance. AB 1572 also phases out potable water on non-functional turf.
Artificial turf is permitted on residential lots in Santa Clara subject to setbacks, permeability, and product standards. Civil Code 4735 limits HOA bans on synthetic lawns.
Santa Clara participates in the Santa Clara County weed abatement program. Noxious weeds and dry vegetation are public nuisances subject to notice, abatement, and cost recovery.
Santa Clara County Code Title C and California SB-1383 require residents and businesses to separate organic waste from trash, either through curbside green-bin service or backyard composting. The county's Home Composting Education Program teaches techniques and offers discounted bins.
Santa Clara regulates hot tubs and spas as pools under California law, requiring permits, GFCI protection, and either a safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 or a compliant barrier.
Santa Clara pool owners must comply with anti-entrapment drain covers under the federal VGB Act, approved safety features, proper electrical bonding, and chemical storage rules to prevent drownings and injuries.
Santa Clara requires building, plumbing, and electrical permits for new swimming pools and spas, with plan review through the Building Division and compliance with the California Building Standards Code.
California Health and Safety Code 115920-115929 (Swimming Pool Safety Act) requires Santa Clara pools to have at least two of seven approved drowning prevention features, typically a 60-inch barrier.
Santa Clara treats above-ground pools deeper than 18 inches as regulated swimming pools, requiring permits, barrier compliance under California H&S Code 115921, and setback conformity.
Santa Clara requires EV-ready wiring in new construction under CALGreen, and Silicon Valley Power offers rebates for residential Level 2 charger installations.
Santa Clara tows abandoned vehicles after 72 hours under CVC 22651(k) and participates in the Santa Clara County Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program for private property.
Santa Clara requires encroachment permits for new driveways, limits driveway width by zoning, and prohibits parking across sidewalks regardless of property ownership.
Santa Clara restricts commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds from residential street parking overnight and limits heavy truck routes under SCCC Title 10.
Santa Clara has no citywide overnight parking ban but enforces CVC 22651(k) 72-hour limits and residential permit zones near SCU and Levi's Stadium.
Santa Clara limits recreational vehicle street parking to 72 hours, requires permits for extended street storage, and restricts driveway RV storage under zoning code.
Santa Clara limits continuous street parking to 72 hours under CVC 22651(k), posts time zones near downtown, and operates residential permit districts near SCU and Levi's Stadium.
California Vehicle Code §21458 standardizes curb-paint meanings statewide: red (no stopping), yellow (loading), white (passenger), green (timed), blue (disabled). Santa Clara County Roads paints unincorporated curbs accordingly.
California Vehicle Code §22500.1 and Santa Clara County Title B regulate loading-zone parking. Yellow curbs limit commercial loading to active loading only, with strict time caps and citation rules.
Elevators in Santa Clara buildings are regulated by Cal/OSHA Elevator Unit under California Labor Code 7300 and following, requiring annual inspections, permits to operate, and licensed conveyance contractors.
Santa Clara property owners must prevent rodent and insect infestations under California Housing Code, and licensed operators handle structural fumigation per SPCB rules.
Santa Clara properties built before 1978 are subject to federal lead disclosure rules and California Health and Safety Code 17920.10, which treats deteriorated lead paint as a substandard housing condition.
Santa Clara requires building permits for scaffolding over 10 feet and compliance with California Building Code Chapter 33 for construction safety and public protection.
Santa Clara County has no countywide mansionization ordinance, but Title C zoning sets floor area ratio caps, lot coverage limits, and tiered setbacks in residential and rural districts of unincorporated areas, including hillside, scenic, and AP-Agricultural Preserve overlays.
Santa Clara County Code Title B adopts the California Residential Code R313, requiring NFPA 13D fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes in unincorporated areas, with County Fire reviewing plans.
Santa Clara County Title B classifies childcare centers as Group E or I-4 occupancies with specific egress, fire-protection, and lead clearance requirements. CCR Title 22 licensing through CDSS adds operational rules on staffing, square footage, and outdoor space.
Santa Clara County Title B and the California Fire Code adopt CFC Section 1010, restricting locks and latches on required egress doors. Single-action hardware, no double-cylinder deadbolts on exits, and panic hardware in assembly occupancies are mandatory.
Santa Clara County Title B adopts the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen, Title 24 Part 11) plus reach-code amendments requiring all-electric new construction, EV-ready parking, and heat-pump water heating in unincorporated areas effective 2023.
Santa Clara HOAs enforce CC&Rs under Civil Code 5850 through 5865, requiring adopted enforcement policies, notice and hearing before fines, and limits on selective or arbitrary enforcement.
Santa Clara HOAs must offer Internal Dispute Resolution (Civil Code 5910) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (Civil Code 5925) before most lawsuits between an association and a member can proceed.
HOA boards in Santa Clara must follow the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act, California Civil Code 4000 and following, which governs meeting notice, open sessions, minutes, and executive session limits.
Santa Clara HOA architectural committees must follow California Civil Code 4765 fair procedures and honor state protections like Civil Code 714 (solar) and 4735 (low-water landscaping) when reviewing modifications.
Santa Clara HOAs follow Davis-Stirling assessment rules (Civil Code 5600+), including annual budget disclosures, limits on assessment increases without member approval, and lien procedures for delinquencies.
Santa Clara requires erosion and sediment control plans for grading permits and during the wet season (Oct-Apr) per the Regional Stormwater Permit.
Santa Clara requires grading permits for moving 50+ cubic yards of earth, with drainage plans demonstrating runoff does not impact neighbors or city infrastructure.
Santa Clara enforces the Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit (MRP 3.0) with C.3 treatment for new development over 10,000 square feet of impervious surface.
Santa Clara participates in the NFIP; properties in FEMA AE/AH zones near Guadalupe and San Tomas creeks need elevation certificates and flood insurance for federally-backed mortgages.
Santa Clara County declared a climate emergency in 2020 and adopted the OneSCC 2030 Sustainability Master Plan setting county-operations carbon neutrality and aggressive countywide reduction targets. The Office of Sustainability coordinates implementation across departments serving 1.9 million residents.
Properties in CalFire State Responsibility Area and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California PRC §4291. Santa Clara County FireSafe Council and CalFire enforce in foothill unincorporated communities like Saratoga Hills, Los Altos Hills, and Mount Hamilton.
California Code of Regulations Title 13 §2485 caps heavy-duty diesel idling at five minutes statewide, enforced across Santa Clara County by CARB and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The county fleet idle-reduction policy mirrors the limit for county-owned trucks and buses.
California AB-1346 banned the sale of new gas-powered leaf blowers and other small off-road engines under 25 horsepower starting 2024, applying across Santa Clara County. Several cities including Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Gatos enforce stricter operating bans, while unincorporated areas follow the state floor.
Santa Clara County's Sustainable Procurement Policy directs all departments to prioritize recycled-content, energy-efficient, low-toxicity, and locally sourced products. Procurement leads the county's transition to a zero-emission light-duty fleet under the OneSCC Sustainability Plan.
Santa Clara County Roads and Airports runs limited cool pavement pilots in heat-vulnerable unincorporated communities like East San Jose foothill fringes. Reflective coatings reduce surface temperatures by roughly 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit on summer afternoons aligned with OneSCC heat equity goals.
Santa Clara County Title B Building Code adopts CALGreen Title 24 Part 11 baseline plus reach-code amendments requiring cool roofing on new construction and major reroofs in unincorporated areas. Reflective materials must meet minimum solar reflectance and thermal emittance ratings under Title 24 Part 6.
The OneSCC 2030 Sustainability Master Plan and county tree canopy goals guide heat island mitigation through cool roofs, cool pavement, urban forestry, and cooling-center activations when National Weather Service forecasts highs at or above 95 degrees Fahrenheit for two consecutive days in unincorporated areas.
The California Coastal Act, Public Resources Code sections 30000 through 30900, requires Coastal Development Permits for nearly all work in the coastal zone and gives the Coastal Commission appeal jurisdiction over local decisions.
Santa Clara food trucks need SCCDEH mobile food facility permit, city business license, and compliance with SB 946 sidewalk vending protections. Temperature logs required.
Santa Clara restricts mobile vending locations through zoning and Levi's Stadium event zones; SB 946 limits time/place restrictions to objectively health/safety-based reasons.
Trash, recycling, and organics carts must be placed curbside with wheels against the curb, spaced 3 feet apart, and kept out of sight from the public right-of-way on non-collection days.
Santa Clara residents receive up to 2 free bulky item pickups per year through Mission Trail Waste Systems, with up to 5 large items per collection scheduled in advance.
Santa Clara mandates recycling and organics separation under California SB 1383. Residents must sort recyclables, organics (food scraps and yard waste), and landfill trash into color-coded carts.
Santa Clara provides weekly curbside collection of garbage, recycling, and organics through Mission Trail Waste Systems. Carts must be placed curbside by 6 AM on collection day.
California SB-1383 requires every household and business in Santa Clara County to separate food scraps and yard waste from trash. Local haulers including Recology, GreenWaste, and Mission Trail Waste run weekly green-cart collection for compostable organics.
Santa Clara does not have a local just cause eviction ordinance, but state AB 1482 (Civil Code 1946.2) applies to most rentals over 15 years old and requires just cause for eviction after 12 months of tenancy.
Santa Clara does not require a general rental registration program. Landlords must comply with state habitability standards and obtain a business license for rental operations in some cases.
Santa Clara has no local rent control; state AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act) caps annual rent increases at 5 percent plus CPI up to 10 percent on qualifying units.
Santa Clara County has no countywide relocation ordinance for unincorporated areas. State law controls: AB-1482 requires one month of rent for no-fault terminations and the Ellis Act adds extra pay for elderly or disabled tenants.
California Civil Code §1950.5, amended by AB-12 effective July 2024, caps residential security deposits at one month's rent statewide. Santa Clara County adds no local cap, so the state rule governs unincorporated and incorporated rentals alike.
Santa Clara County imposes no countywide buyout disclosure rule. Cash-for-keys agreements in unincorporated areas follow only baseline California contract and Civil Code rules, unlike San Jose and Mountain View, which require formal disclosures.
Unincorporated Santa Clara County applies California's AB-1482 no-fault grounds: owner move-in, substantial remodel, demolition, government order, and Ellis Act withdrawal. Each path requires written notice, statutory relocation, and good-faith intent.
Santa Clara County has no countywide rent stabilization, so pass-through charges in unincorporated areas follow state law. AB-1482 caps annual rent increases at 5% plus CPI, capped at 10%, including any operating cost passthroughs.
Santa Clara County has not adopted a countywide tenant anti-harassment ordinance for unincorporated areas. Tenants rely on California Civil Code §1940.2 against forcible exclusion plus tort remedies for retaliation or harassment.
California Government Code §12955, expanded by SB-329 in 2020, prohibits housing discrimination based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers. Santa Clara County enforces statewide rules through state CRD; no separate county code exists.
The Santa Clara County Housing Authority (SCCHA) administers federal Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers across the county. Landlords accepting vouchers must pass an HQS inspection and cannot refuse applicants based on voucher status.
Political signs are protected speech in Santa Clara on private property with owner consent. Local size and duration limits are relaxed for political content under California Elections Code and First Amendment case law.
Holiday decorations on private residential property are generally permitted without permits in Santa Clara. Displays must not create safety hazards, block traffic sight lines, or violate light and noise rules.
Garage sale signs are allowed on private property during the sale. Signs in public right-of-way, on utility poles, or street furniture are prohibited and can be removed by city crews.
Santa Clara County Title C zoning prohibits new off-premises digital billboards in unincorporated areas. The California Outdoor Advertising Act sets statewide controls along Interstate and primary highways and requires Caltrans permits for any roadside display.
Santa Clara County Title C zoning limits window signs in unincorporated commercial districts to roughly 25 percent of the window area. Larger temporary banners and obstructive signage trigger sign-permit review by the Planning Department.
Signs visible to motorists on US-101, I-280, I-680, I-880, SR-85, and SR-87 require both Caltrans Outdoor Advertising approval and County zoning sign permits. The Outdoor Advertising Act preempts inconsistent local rules along these routes.
Santa Clara prohibits commercial cannabis businesses including retail dispensaries, cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and delivery storefronts within city limits. Only personal cultivation is allowed.
Santa Clara adults 21+ may cultivate up to 6 cannabis plants per residence under California Proposition 64. Outdoor cultivation is prohibited - plants must be grown indoors in a locked, secure area.
California permits state-licensed retailer cannabis delivery into any jurisdiction under DCC regulations. Santa Clara County does not host retail storefronts in unincorporated areas but cannot ban delivery into homes.
California's MAUCRSA framework lets local jurisdictions adopt social equity programs. Santa Clara County has limited unincorporated cannabis licensing, with state Bureau of Cannabis Control administering equity outreach grants.
California Business and Professions Code §26054 prohibits cannabis licensees within 600 feet of schools, daycares, and youth centers. Santa Clara County Title C zoning may impose larger buffers in unincorporated areas.
California Proposition 64 and Health and Safety Code §11362.1 allow adults 21+ to grow up to six cannabis plants per residence for personal use. Santa Clara County follows the state baseline.
Santa Clara County Title C zoning sharply limits commercial cannabis in unincorporated areas. Most cultivation, manufacturing, and retail must locate in incorporated cities with permissive ordinances like San Jose.
Door-to-door solicitors and peddlers in Santa Clara must register with the city and carry a valid solicitor identification card. Hours are limited, and residents can opt out with No Solicitation signs.
Santa Clara residents can prohibit solicitors by posting No Solicitation or No Trespassing signs at their front entrance. Solicitors who knock after seeing such signs are subject to citation.
Commercial drone operations in Santa Clara require FAA Part 107 certification. Pilots must obtain LAANC airspace authorization around San Jose airport and cannot operate from city parks without a permit.
Recreational drone operators in Santa Clara must follow FAA rules, stay under 400 feet, avoid SJC airport airspace, and cannot launch from or fly over city parks without authorization.
Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation prohibits drone takeoff, landing, and operation in nearly all county parks. Limited exceptions exist for designated model-aircraft areas and for permitted commercial filming with advance Parks Department approval.
Federal law preempts local airspace control. Drones near San Jose Mineta and Reid-Hillview airports must obtain LAANC authorization through the Federal Aviation Administration, follow controlled airspace altitude limits, and avoid temporary flight restrictions issued for emergencies.
Major events at Levi's Stadium, SAP Center, and PayPal Park trigger FAA temporary flight restrictions banning drones within three nautical miles up to 3,000 feet. Violations carry federal criminal penalties in addition to civil fines.
Santa Clara zoning requires shielded outdoor lighting to prevent glare and skyglow, with specific controls for commercial properties near residential zones.
Santa Clara code enforcement addresses light spillover onto adjoining residential properties; civil nuisance law provides remedies when city action is insufficient.
Outdoor advertising in Santa Clara County must follow Caltrans brightness rules adopted from the federal Highway Beautification Act. Digital displays cannot exceed 0.3 footcandles over ambient at the regulated measurement distance and must dim automatically at night.
Decorative holiday and seasonal lighting is broadly exempt from Santa Clara County outdoor-lighting standards from November through early January. Permanent year-round string lighting still must meet shielding, color-temperature, and light-trespass rules under Title C zoning.
Santa Clara County Title C outdoor-lighting standards require full-cutoff shielding on security and area lights to prevent glare and light trespass. The rules align with International Dark-Sky Association practice and limit upward and lateral light beyond property lines.
Santa Clara R1 single-family zones cap heights at 25-30 feet, with detached ADUs allowed up to 16 feet by right and 18-25 feet under SB 897 state law.
Santa Clara R1 zones typically cap building lot coverage at 40 percent, with additional floor area ratio and impervious surface limits for stormwater control.
Santa Clara R1 zones typically require 20-foot front, 5-foot side, and 20-foot rear setbacks, with reductions available for ADUs under state law AB 2097 and SB 9 provisions.
Santa Clara uses SolarAPP+ for instant residential rooftop solar permits under AB 2188, and Title 24 requires solar on new homes. Silicon Valley Power is the interconnection utility.
California Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act) prohibits Santa Clara HOAs from unreasonably restricting solar installations; only modest cost/performance-based conditions allowed.
California AB-2188 and SB-379 require expedited permitting for residential rooftop solar and battery storage. Santa Clara County uses the federal SolarAPP+ platform under Title B for instant online plan-check approval of code-compliant systems.
California SB-43 enables Pacific Gas and Electric customers to subscribe to community solar projects without rooftop panels. Santa Clara County renters and condo owners can join the Green Tariff Shared Renewables and Community Solar Green Tariff programs.
Garage sales are allowed without a permit in Santa Clara, limited to a few per year per household. Sites must be cleaned up promptly and signs removed immediately after the sale ends.
Santa Clara requires trash, recycling, and organics carts to be stored out of public view on non-collection days, typically in a side yard, garage, or behind a screening fence.
Santa Clara requires vacant lots to be kept free of weeds, trash, and fire hazards. Annual weed abatement is mandatory, with property owners billed for city-contracted clearing if they fail to comply.
Snow is essentially nonexistent in Santa Clara. Property owners are responsible for keeping sidewalks adjacent to their property clear of debris, vegetation overgrowth, and trip hazards year-round.
Santa Clara prohibits property blight including accumulated junk, overgrown vegetation, graffiti, broken windows, and inoperable vehicles. Code enforcement can issue citations and abate nuisances at owner cost.
Santa Clara enforces a juvenile curfew prohibiting minors under 18 from being in public places between approximately 11 PM and 5 AM without a parent, guardian, or qualifying exception.
Santa Clara city parks are closed from approximately 10:30 PM to sunrise (typically 6:00 AM). Entering parks during closed hours is a misdemeanor subject to citation and removal.
Santa Clara County has adopted strong sanctuary policies since 2011, refusing to honor ICE civil detainers without a judicial warrant. Board resolutions in 2011, 2017, and 2023 reaffirmed the policy. California SB-54 reinforces the limits statewide.
California AB-1236 (Labor Code §2814) prohibits Santa Clara County and any city from requiring private employers to use E-Verify. Federal mandates apply only to federal contractors. SCC and its 15 cities impose no E-Verify requirement.
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.
California Penal Code sections 25400 and 25610 require firearms transported by vehicle in Santa Clara County to be unloaded, with handguns inside a locked container or trunk. Long guns must be unloaded but may ride in the passenger compartment if encased.
California Penal Code section 25400 prohibits carrying a concealed firearm without a CCW. The Santa Clara County Sheriff issues permits to county residents under shall-issue rules following Bruen and SB-2, with sensitive-place limits applied countywide.
California Penal Code section 26350 bans open carry of unloaded handguns in incorporated areas, and section 26400 bans openly carried unloaded long guns. All fifteen Santa Clara County cities are incorporated; loaded open carry is barred everywhere countywide.
Santa Clara County requires every vape and tobacco retailer in unincorporated areas to hold a Tobacco Retail License under Ordinance NS-300.789 plus a state CDTFA license. Sales of flavored vape products are barred under earlier county Ordinance NS-300.913 and California SB-793.
Federal Tobacco 21 (Public Law 116-94) and California Business and Professions Code section 22963 bar Santa Clara County retailers from selling cigarettes, cigars, vapes, or any tobacco product to anyone under twenty-one. SCC Public Health enforces in unincorporated areas with photo-ID checks.
Santa Clara County Ordinance NS-300.913, adopted in 2010 and predating the LA County and statewide bans, prohibits sale of all flavored tobacco products including menthol cigarettes and flavored e-liquids in unincorporated areas. California SB-793 imposes the same ban statewide as of December 2022.
Santa Clara County has no county-specific minimum wage above the California state floor for unincorporated areas. Workers in unincorporated SCC follow the state rate set by SB-3, while San Jose and other cities maintain higher local minimums.
Santa Clara County has no county paid-leave ordinance. Workers in unincorporated areas follow California SB-616's five-day statewide floor. San Jose and a few other cities have not enacted higher local rules, so SB-616 governs across the county.
Santa Clara County has no predictive-scheduling ordinance. California AB-1228 governs fast-food workers via the statewide Fast Food Council. Outside fast food, no local or state predictable-schedule mandate applies in SCC unincorporated areas or its 15 cities.
California SB-525, signed October 2023, establishes tiered minimum wages for covered healthcare workers ranging from $18 to $25 per hour. Santa Clara County hospitals and clinics follow state schedules; the county adds no additional local healthcare wage floor.
Santa Clara County Ordinance NS-1100, adopted in 2008 as the first county-level bag ban in the nation, prohibits single-use plastic carryout bags in unincorporated areas and requires a paper-bag charge. California SB-270 and AB-1162 (2024) now mirror the rule statewide.
Santa Clara County Ordinance NS-300.881 bars food vendors and county facilities in unincorporated areas from using expanded polystyrene foam containers, cups, plates, and trays. California AB-1276 (Public Resources Code section 42273) and SB-54 extend parallel statewide standards to all cities.
California AB-1884 (Public Resources Code section 42270) and AB-1276 make Santa Clara County a straws-on-request jurisdiction. Restaurants countywide cannot auto-distribute single-use plastic straws; disability requests must be accommodated without burden under state and federal law.
California AB-1276 (Health and Safety Code §42270 et seq.) prohibits full-service and takeout food facilities from providing single-use utensils, straws, or condiment packets unless requested by the customer. Santa Clara County DEH enforces locally.
California Civil Code §1954.603 requires every Santa Clara County landlord to give new tenants a written bed-bug information notice and disclose known infestations. SCC DEH and city code enforcement respond to habitability complaints; treatment cost normally falls on the landlord.
Under California Health and Safety Code §113948, every food handler in Santa Clara County must obtain an ANSI-accredited food handler card within 30 days of hire. Cards are valid for three years. SCC DEH inspectors verify compliance during routine retail food inspections countywide.
Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health inspects every restaurant, market, and mobile food facility countywide and posts a numerical inspection score and report online. Unlike LA, SCC uses risk-based scoring rather than letter grades; sub-standard facilities may face closure.
Santa Clara County Vector Control District handles outdoor rodent surveillance and resident complaints countywide, while SCC DEH addresses food-facility infestations. California AB-1788 bans second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides for non-licensed users to protect raptors and other wildlife.
California Health & Safety Code §118286 bans home-generated sharps in trash or recycling. Santa Clara County Public Health distributes free SHARP containers and operates syringe exchange and drop-off sites countywide. Mail-back kits are also available through the program.
Santa Clara County Public Health's Healthy Stores program partners with corner stores and small markets to stock fresh produce, low-sugar beverages, and whole-grain items. Participation is voluntary, with technical assistance, signage, and refrigeration grants offered to qualifying retailers.
FDA menu labeling under 21 CFR §101.11 requires chain restaurants of 20 or more locations to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards. Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health enforces compliance during routine food facility inspections.
California Civil Code §3482.5 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance suits after three years of consistent activity. SCC layers this with the Williamson Act and agricultural preserves in Coyote Valley and the Gilroy-Morgan Hill area.
Santa Clara County Code Title C Zoning establishes A (Exclusive Agriculture) and AR (Agricultural Ranchlands) districts for unincorporated areas. Williamson Act contracts further restrict prime farmland in Coyote Valley, San Martin, and the Gilroy growing belt to agricultural use.
Santa Clara County has no mandatory retrofit ordinance for non-ductile concrete buildings in unincorporated areas. The County Office of Emergency Services maintains a voluntary inventory and supports ASCE 41-17 evaluation, while no countywide mandate parallels San Francisco or Berkeley.
California SB-721 (apartments) and SB-326 (HOA condos) require periodic inspection of exterior elevated elements like balconies, decks, and walkways. Santa Clara County Planning and Development enforces in unincorporated areas; first inspections were due January 1, 2025.
California Vehicle Code Section 22658 governs private-property towing; tow operators serving Santa Clara County Sheriff calls must qualify for the Official Police Garage rotation, meeting equipment, response time, storage, and rate-posting standards.
Unincorporated Santa Clara County restricts adult businesses to specific commercial zones under Title C, requiring buffers from schools, churches, parks, residences, and other adult uses, plus county business licensing and operator permits.
California Business and Professions Code Section 4600 et seq. preempts most local massage licensing through the CAMTC; Santa Clara County still requires a business license, zoning compliance, and adds local sanitation and inspection rules for unincorporated establishments.
Tattoo, piercing, branding, and permanent cosmetics in Santa Clara County require Department of Environmental Health Body Art permits; California Penal Code Section 653 prohibits tattooing anyone under 18 statewide.
Santa Clara County's Tobacco Retail License ordinance NS-300.789, among California's strongest, requires every tobacco and vape retailer in unincorporated areas to hold an annual license, caps density, and bans new tobacco retail near schools.
Smoke shops in unincorporated Santa Clara County must hold a Tobacco Retail License and comply with Ordinance NS-300.913, which bans the sale of all flavored tobacco and vape products including menthol, predating California's statewide ban.
California Business and Professions Code Section 21626 requires secondhand dealers to register with local law enforcement, hold tangible items 30 days, and report acquisitions daily; the Santa Clara County Sheriff administers registration for unincorporated areas.
Pawnbrokers in California operate under Financial Code Section 21000 et seq., requiring state licensing through the Department of Justice plus local law enforcement registration; Santa Clara County Sheriff handles reporting for unincorporated areas.
Santa Clara County Title C zoning prohibits commercial auto repair as a home occupation in residential zones; mechanics may service their own vehicles inside an enclosed garage but cannot operate a paid auto repair business from a home.
Santa Clara County Code Title B and California Penal Code Section 647 prohibit aggressive solicitation in unincorporated areas, including blocking pedestrians, threatening conduct, touching, or soliciting near ATMs, bus stops, and outdoor dining. Passive panhandling remains protected speech, but aggressive conduct is enforced by the Sheriff.
Santa Clara County Code Title D public-health provisions and California Penal Code Section 647(c) prohibit urinating or defecating in any public place or on private property visible from a public way. Violations are infractions starting around $250, enforced by the Sheriff and the County Public Health Department.
Skateboarding in unincorporated Santa Clara County is restricted to designated park facilities under Title M, while California Vehicle Code Section 21212 requires riders under eighteen to wear a helmet on any street, bikeway, or trail. San Jose, Sunnyvale, and other cities add downtown and plaza-specific bans.
Santa Clara County Code Title B and California Penal Code Section 415 treat loud or unruly gatherings as a public nuisance. Several cities, including San Jose and Sunnyvale, layer second-response cost-recovery ordinances that bill hosts, owners, and adult residents for repeat law-enforcement responses after a written warning.
Santa Clara County does not prohibit loitering itself because vague loitering bans violate the First and Fourth Amendments. Only narrow loitering-with-intent conduct is reachable under California Penal Code Sections 647(b) and 647(h), consistent with Papachristou v. Jacksonville and City of Chicago v. Morales.
Santa Clara County Smoke-Free Air Ordinance NS-300.821, codified in Title D, is among California's strongest county-level smoke-free rules. It bans tobacco, vaping, and cannabis smoking in unincorporated multi-unit housing, outdoor dining, public events, parks, and within thirty feet of doorways and air intakes.
California Assembly Bill 2147, the Freedom to Walk Act, amended Vehicle Code Section 21955 effective January 2023. Crossing midblock outside a marked crosswalk is now an infraction only when an immediate hazard of collision exists. The Santa Clara County Sheriff applies the statewide standard in unincorporated areas.
California Health and Safety Code Section 11362.3 prohibits smoking, vaping, or consuming cannabis in any public place, anywhere tobacco smoking is banned, and within one thousand feet of a school, daycare, or youth center while children are present. The Sheriff enforces a $100 infraction in unincorporated areas.
California Business and Professions Code Section 25620 makes possessing an open container of alcohol in any public place an infraction. Santa Clara County Code Title B separately bans drinking in unincorporated parks, beaches at Vasona and Calero reservoirs, and public rights-of-way without a permit. The Sheriff and park rangers enforce.
Santa Clara County Planning operates under the Comprehensive General Plan with mandatory state elements plus area-specific plans for South County, Rural Unincorporated Areas, and the Stanford Community Plan. These overlay Title C base zoning across all unincorporated land.
Projects setting aside affordable units in unincorporated Santa Clara County qualify for state-mandated density bonuses, parking reductions, and concessions under California Government Code Section 65915, implemented locally through Title C zoning provisions, with bonuses now up to 80 percent.
Valley Water (Santa Clara Valley Water District) sets countywide conservation rules requiring outdoor irrigation only on assigned days, banning watering during daytime hours, and tightening cuts during declared droughts. Retailers like San Jose Water enforce locally with surcharges.
Valley Water and partner retailers operate recycled water programs distributing tertiary-treated water through purple-pipe systems for irrigation and industrial use. South Bay Water Recycling and the SVAWPC supply Santa Clara County under California Code Title 22 standards.
Santa Clara County imposes a business license tax on businesses operating in unincorporated areas. Each SCC city operates an independent business tax with varying rate structures; San Jose's Business Tax Ordinance is largest, generating millions annually.
Santa Clara County has not adopted a Measure ULA-style mansion tax on high-value real estate transfers. The California Documentary Transfer Tax under Revenue and Taxation Code §11911 sets the baseline rate for SCC property conveyances.
Santa Clara County has not adopted a vacant-property tax on long-empty residential or commercial units. No SCC city has enacted a vacancy tax, leaving owners unaffected by Oakland-style or San Francisco-style penalties on prolonged vacancy.
Santa Clara County imposes limited inclusionary housing requirements in unincorporated areas. Major SCC cities including San Jose, Mountain View, Cupertino, and Palo Alto adopted their own commercial linkage fees and inclusionary ordinances at varying rates.
Santa Clara County has no countywide parking tax in unincorporated areas. San Jose imposes a 10% parking-tax on commercial parking facilities. Other SCC cities have not enacted similar taxes, making San Jose the primary venue for parking taxation.
Planting any tree in a Santa Clara County parkway, the strip between sidewalk and curb on county-maintained roads, requires an encroachment permit and approved species selection from the County Roads and Airports approved street tree list.
Santa Clara County Ordinance NS-300.847 protects heritage oaks, native sycamores, redwoods, buckeyes, and other native species in unincorporated areas. Removal requires permits, mitigation planting, and arborist reports. Cities including Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Saratoga add comparable protected lists.
The OneSCC Sustainability Master Plan and county Climate Roadmap 2030 set urban forest equity goals tied to heat-vulnerable neighborhoods. Targets include doubling canopy cover in low-income areas through partnerships with cities, Valley Water, and Our City Forest.
California provides statewide protections for native oak woodlands and heritage trees through CEQA review, Public Resources Code, and Forest Practice Rules that apply uniformly.
Santa Clara County Title B noise standards measure complaints in dBA, which underweights low-frequency bass. Code enforcement may use dBC slow-response measurements when bass complaints persist, especially from car stereos, nightclub subwoofers, and residential parties.
Helicopter noise over Santa Clara County is regulated by the FAA, not by county ordinance. SCC Title B noise rules cannot bind aircraft in flight; complaints route to the FAA Western-Pacific Region or the operator's voluntary noise hotline.
Santa Clara County Title B limits construction equipment noise in unincorporated areas to weekday daytime hours and caps levels at the property line. Cities like San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Cupertino adopt their own stricter or comparable construction noise ordinances.
Truck noise on Santa Clara County roads is governed by California Vehicle Code sections 23130 and 27007, capping engine and stereo noise. SCC unincorporated commercial zones add early-morning loading restrictions enforced by Title B.
Helicopter routes across Santa Clara County are set by FAA NorCal TRACON, not by county or city ordinance. San Jose Mineta International publishes voluntary noise abatement procedures, and Reid-Hillview maintains preferred corridors over commercial zones.
San Jose Mineta International and Reid-Hillview Airport restrict aircraft engine run-ups during nighttime hours under voluntary noise abatement procedures. Pilots must use designated run-up pads, and ground operations are governed by airport rules under FAA Part 150 noise compatibility plans.
Hospital helipads in Santa Clara County operate under California Department of Public Health licensing and FAA flight rules. SCC Title B governs ground noise but cannot restrict emergency arrivals. Stanford, Valley Medical, and Good Samaritan operate active helipads.
Bars and nightclubs in unincorporated Santa Clara County must operate under a Conditional Use Permit with noise conditions. ABC licensing and 45 dBA night limits at residential apply.
HVAC noise in Santa Clara County must comply with 55/45 dBA residential limits at neighbor property lines. New installations often need acoustic screening and setback compliance.
Generators in Santa Clara County are allowed for emergency use during PSPS and outages, but routine testing must meet 55/45 dBA limits. Permanent standby units need building permits.
Santa Clara County imposes a Transient Occupancy Tax under Title B on hotel stays in unincorporated areas. Cities collect their own TOT at higher rates: San Jose 10%, Sunnyvale 12.5%, Mountain View 10%, with funds supporting general operations and tourism.
Santa Clara County and its cities have not enacted hotel worker retention ordinances similar to Los Angeles or Long Beach. Hotel workers in SCC rely on California Labor Code protections and union contracts rather than mandatory retention rules during ownership transitions.
Santa Clara County's Living Wage Policy requires county service contractors to pay minimum living wages and provide health benefits. The policy covers contractors providing services to the county, not hotels broadly, which fall under city wage rules.
Santa Clara County has no equivalent to Los Angeles Municipal Code 41.18 anti-camping ordinance. SCC cities vary: San Jose enforces narrow obstruction rules, Sunnyvale prohibits public camping, while unincorporated SCC relies on Sheriff's discretion under state public-nuisance law.
Santa Clara County unincorporated has no sit-lie ordinance. SCC cities maintain limited rules subject to Martin v. Boise and Grants Pass v. Johnson constitutional limits, blocking enforcement when shelter capacity is unavailable.
Santa Clara County operates the CA-501 Continuum of Care coordinating encampment response across cities. Major operations including Vallco and Coyote Creek follow phased outreach, sanitation, and rehousing protocols rather than immediate sweeps.
Santa Clara County's Continuum of Care operates bridge housing through Project Homekey hotel conversions, navigation centers, and tiny-home villages. SB-9 and AB-2011 streamlining accelerate affordable conversions in commercial corridors with reduced CEQA review.
Filming on Santa Clara County roads or property requires a county film permit through the Office of the County Executive. Cities including San Jose, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale operate independent film offices with separate fees and insurance requirements.
Santa Clara County and most cities offer reduced or waived filming fees for verified student productions from accredited institutions. San Jose, Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Stanford-area filming follows streamlined student permit processes with faster turnaround.
Parades on Santa Clara County roads require permits from Roads and Airports plus Sheriff coordination for traffic control. Cities including San Jose, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale issue parade permits independently under their own municipal codes.
Santa Clara County's permanent outdoor dining programs vary by city. San Jose Al Fresco transitioned pandemic parklets to a permanent program in 2024, while Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale operate parallel programs with separate design and permit standards.
Santa Clara County does not classify any palm species as heritage or protected by default. Palms only gain protection when individually designated as a heritage tree, located in a public right-of-way, or sited in a riparian protection zone managed by Valley Water.
Ailanthus altissima, the host plant of the spotted lanternfly, is a Cal-IPC high-rated invasive that Santa Clara County's Agricultural Commissioner monitors. Property owners are urged to remove seedlings promptly to slow spread along creeks and roadsides.
Santa Clara County does not have specific bamboo restriction ordinances. California does not regulate bamboo statewide. Bamboo that encroaches on neighboring properties may be addressed as a nuisance under California Civil Code.
Santa Clara County follows CDFA and Cal-IPC invasive plant lists. Notable invasive species in the area include yellow starthistle, French broom, pampas grass, and English ivy. The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority actively manages invasive species on public lands.
California AB 2561 (2022) protects front-yard vegetable gardens. Santa Clara County residents can grow food in front yards. The county and many cities encourage drought-tolerant landscaping, including edible gardens, through the MWELO and water district rebate programs.
California Penal Code §632 requires two-party consent for confidential audio recording. Santa Clara County doorbell-camera owners may legally record video of visitors but must avoid recording private audio conversations without disclosure or consent.
California Civil Code §1798.90 (SB-34) sets minimum privacy rules for automated license plate reader systems. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office posts an ALPR usage and retention policy and limits sharing of plate data with outside agencies.
Residential security cameras are legal in Santa Clara County without a permit. California's all-party consent law applies to audio recording. Video recording in public and on your own property is legal, but cameras must not target private areas.
California is an all-party consent state. All parties to a confidential conversation must consent to audio recording under Penal Code §632. Video recording in public is legal. Violations are misdemeanors with civil damages of $5,000 per violation.
Santa Clara County allows fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards. Front-yard fences are limited to 3 feet (solid) or 4 feet (open). Fences under 7 feet do not require a building permit. Retaining walls over 4 feet require permits and engineering.
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.
Santa Clara County maintains a Heritage Resource Inventory under SCC Ordinance NS-1200.27. Landmarked properties receive county Historical Heritage Commission review before alteration, demolition, or relocation, and qualify for state Mills Act tax relief.
California Government Code §50280 lets local governments grant property tax reductions to owners of designated historic properties who sign ten-year preservation contracts. Santa Clara County and several cities offer Mills Act programs, with savings averaging 40 to 60 percent.
Demolition of a designated Santa Clara County heritage resource triggers full CEQA review and a Heritage Commission stay of up to 180 days. Loss of historic fabric is treated as a significant environmental impact requiring mitigation or mandatory findings of override.
Santa Clara County operates no countywide systematic rental inspection program. San Jose runs the Multiple Housing Program inspecting buildings of three or more units. Other cities and unincorporated areas rely on complaint-driven enforcement.
California Code of Regulations Title 17 §17920.10 defines lead hazards as substandard housing. Santa Clara County Public Health's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program coordinates blood-lead screening, source identification, and abatement orders for lead-impacted homes.
California Streets and Highways Code 5610 makes abutting property owners responsible for sidewalk repair in unincorporated Santa Clara County, with county-issued repair notices.
Santa Clara County prohibits blocking public sidewalks with vehicles, overgrown vegetation, merchandise, or debris under county ordinances and CVC 22500(f).
In Santa Clara County, one-story detached accessory structures (sheds) not exceeding 120 square feet do not require a building permit if they have no utilities. Larger sheds require permits. All sheds must comply with zoning setbacks.
Decks under 200 square feet, under 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving a required exit door do not require a permit. Larger or elevated decks require building permits in Santa Clara County.
Fences under 7 feet do not require a building permit in Santa Clara County. Retaining walls over 4 feet require permits. Front-yard fences are limited to 3-4 feet depending on whether solid or open.
Renovation work involving structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical modifications requires a building permit in Santa Clara County. Cosmetic work does not. ADU conversions follow streamlined state permitting requirements.
Santa Clara County Code Enforcement handles violations in unincorporated areas through the Department of Planning and Development. Reports can be filed online or by calling (408) 299-5770. Within cities, each municipality has its own enforcement division.
Santa Clara County prioritizes code enforcement complaints by severity. Health and safety hazards receive expedited response within 1-3 days. Standard violations are investigated within 5-15 business days with compliance periods of 30-90 days.
Common violations in Santa Clara County include building or occupying structures without permits, unpermitted grading, illegal accessory dwelling units, cannabis cultivation violations, and improper land use in agricultural and hillside zones.