Pop. 127,647 · Santa Clara County
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.
Santa Clara allows garage-to-ADU conversions ministerially under state ADU law. Replacement parking is not required when a garage is converted to an ADU.
Carports are allowed as accessory structures in Santa Clara subject to setback, lot coverage, and design review. Front-yard carports generally may not replace required garages.
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.
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…
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.
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…
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 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…
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.
Propane (LP-gas) storage in unincorporated Santa Clara County follows the adopted California Fire Code Chapter 61 and NFPA 58. Permits from the fire code official are required above…
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…
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…
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 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 feeding of wildlife including coyotes, raccoons, deer, feral cats, and pigeons under City Code Chapter 6.10, with penalties intended to reduce urban wildlife…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 County Title 4 zoning permits veterinary clinics in commercial zones with conditions on overnight boarding, outdoor runs, noise, and odor. Larger animal hospitals, kennels…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
On unincorporated parcels under five acres, the County Code allows up to two dogs (plus one litter per year) and five cats over four months old without a kennel permit. Parcels of five…
Cats over four months old in unincorporated Santa Clara County must be licensed and rabies-vaccinated, with up to five cats allowed per parcel under five acres. Unaltered cats may not…
Unincorporated Santa Clara County addresses animal hoarding through its pet and kennel limits and public-nuisance authority under County Code Division B31, backed by California's…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Unincorporated Santa Clara County imposes no general primary-residence requirement on short-term rentals. The only primary-residence condition in the County code applies to 'Bed and…
Unincorporated Santa Clara County has no host-presence or on-site-host requirement for short-term rentals. Because there is no dedicated STR ordinance, neither hosted-only operation…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 County does not mandate specific fence materials for unincorporated residential properties. Wood, vinyl, metal, masonry, and chain link are all generally allowed if height…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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.
Unincorporated Santa Clara County's Noise Ordinance includes a motor-vehicle noise provision (Section B11-155). On public roads, vehicle exhaust and muffler noise are primarily…
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.
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.
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 encourages California native landscaping through MWELO compliance and Valley Water rebates. Native plants are allowed as lawn replacements citywide.
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.
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.
Composting is encouraged in unincorporated Santa Clara County, and the County's Sustainable Landscape Ordinance explicitly promotes compost use. California's SB 1383 also requires all…
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 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 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 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.
Oversized and heavy vehicles face restrictions in unincorporated Santa Clara County. Commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross weight rating are barred from residential areas…
Santa Clara County designates passenger and commercial loading zones on unincorporated roads under its Stopping, Standing and Parking ordinance (Division B12, Chapter III). Passenger…
Curb colors on unincorporated Santa Clara County roads follow California Vehicle Code Section 21458 and the County's Stopping, Standing and Parking ordinance: red (no stopping), yellow…
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…
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…
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…
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 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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Santa Clara County's Sustainable Procurement Policy directs all departments to prioritize recycled-content, energy-efficient, low-toxicity, and locally sourced products. Procurement…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
Under California SB 1383 and the County garbage code, residents and businesses in unincorporated Santa Clara County must separate organic waste (food scraps, food-soiled paper, yard…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Santa Clara prohibits commercial cannabis businesses including retail dispensaries, cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and delivery storefronts within city limits. Only personal…
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…
California permits state-licensed retailer cannabis delivery into any jurisdiction under DCC regulations. Santa Clara County does not host retail storefronts in unincorporated areas…
California's MAUCRSA framework lets local jurisdictions adopt social equity programs. Santa Clara County has limited unincorporated cannabis licensing, with state Bureau of Cannabis…
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…
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…
Santa Clara County Title C zoning sharply limits commercial cannabis in unincorporated areas. Most cultivation, manufacturing, and retail must locate in incorporated cities with…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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)…
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…
Santa Clara HOAs follow Davis-Stirling assessment rules (Civil Code 5600+), including annual budget disclosures, limits on assessment increases without member approval, and lien…
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…
California HOAs may fine members for rule violations, but only under a published schedule of fines and after strict due-process steps. Civil Code section 5855 requires written notice…
California overrides HOA governing documents on several owner protections. The Davis-Stirling Act and related Civil Code sections bar HOAs from prohibiting solar systems, U.S. flag…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
Santa Clara prohibits property blight including accumulated junk, overgrown vegetation, graffiti, broken windows, and inoperable vehicles. Code enforcement can issue citations and…
Unincorporated Santa Clara County requires flammable grass and weeds to be kept at or below 6 inches after the compliance deadline under the Weed Abatement Program. The unincorporated…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
California evictions run through the unlawful detainer process. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 1161, nonpayment requires a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit (excluding weekends and…
California landlords must keep rentals fit to live in. Civil Code §§ 1941 and 1941.1, reinforced by Green v. Superior Court, imply a warranty of habitability covering plumbing, heat…
California Civil Code § 1954 limits when a landlord may enter a rented home. Except in emergencies, abandonment, or with tenant consent, the landlord must give reasonable written…
California sets no fixed dollar or percentage cap on rent late fees, but a late fee in a residential lease is treated as liquidated damages. Under Civil Code § 1671, such a fee is…
To end a California month-to-month tenancy, a tenant gives 30 days' written notice. A landlord gives 30 days if the tenant has lived there under a year, or 60 days if a year or more…
California requires written notice before raising a month-to-month tenant's rent. Under Civ. Code § 827, increases of 10% or less in 12 months need 30 days' notice; increases above 10%…
California adverse possession requires five years of continuous, open, hostile possession AND payment of all property taxes during that period under Code of Civil Procedure § 325. A…
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…
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…
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 law preempts local airspace control. Drones near San Jose Mineta and Reid-Hillview airports must obtain LAANC authorization through the Federal Aviation Administration, follow…
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 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.
Santa Clara names "Data Centers" as a defined land use in its Zoning Code. They are allowed in the office and industrial zones - by right or Minor Use Permit in Light Industrial, and…
Santa Clara has no cryptocurrency-mining ordinance. A commercial mining operation is treated as a data center - sited in the office and industrial zones under Section 18.60.090 and…
Santa Clara's own noise ordinance, City Code Section 9.10.040, caps exterior noise at the receiving property by zone: 55 dBA day and 50 dBA night at single-family homes, 70 dBA in…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 (Health and Safety Code §42270 et seq.) prohibits full-service and takeout food facilities from providing single-use utensils, straws, or condiment packets unless…
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…
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…
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…
Santa Clara County Vector Control District handles outdoor rodent surveillance and resident complaints countywide, while SCC DEH addresses food-facility infestations. California…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Santa Clara County Code Title C Zoning establishes A (Exclusive Agriculture) and AR (Agricultural Ranchlands) districts for unincorporated areas. Williamson Act contracts further…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Unincorporated Santa Clara County restricts adult businesses to specific commercial zones under Title C, requiring buffers from schools, churches, parks, residences, and other adult…
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…
Tattoo, piercing, branding, and permanent cosmetics in Santa Clara County require Department of Environmental Health Body Art permits; California Penal Code Section 653 prohibits…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Santa Clara County Code Title B and California Penal Code Section 647 prohibit aggressive solicitation in unincorporated areas, including blocking pedestrians, threatening conduct…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Projects setting aside affordable units in unincorporated Santa Clara County qualify for state-mandated density bonuses, parking reductions, and concessions under California Government…
Valley Water (Santa Clara Valley Water District) sets countywide conservation rules requiring outdoor irrigation only on assigned days, banning watering during daytime hours, and…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Santa Clara County Ordinance NS-300.847 protects heritage oaks, native sycamores, redwoods, buckeyes, and other native species in unincorporated areas. Removal requires permits…
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…
Division C16 of the County Ordinance Code requires an Administrative Tree Removal Permit and mitigation to remove protected trees in designated unincorporated areas - Hillsides, Design…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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%…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Santa Clara County does not have specific bamboo restriction ordinances. California does not regulate bamboo statewide. Bamboo that encroaches on neighboring properties may be…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Santa Clara County maintains a Heritage Resource Inventory under SCC Ordinance NS-1200.27. Landmarked properties receive county Historical Heritage Commission review before alteration…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Santa Clara County prohibits blocking public sidewalks with vehicles, overgrown vegetation, merchandise, or debris under county ordinances and CVC 22500(f).
California Streets and Highways Code 5610 makes abutting property owners responsible for sidewalk repair in unincorporated Santa Clara County, with county-issued repair notices.
Propane and gas BBQ grills are allowed in unincorporated Santa Clara County, including during summer burn bans when open wood and charcoal fires are prohibited. The county fire…
Wood- and charcoal-fired smokers in unincorporated Santa Clara County are limited by fire and air rules: charcoal and open wood fires are banned during CAL FIRE/county burn bans, and…
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…
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…
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…
Renovation work involving structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical modifications requires a building permit in Santa Clara County. Cosmetic work does not. ADU…
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)…
Santa Clara County prioritizes code enforcement complaints by severity. Health and safety hazards receive expedited response within 1-3 days. Standard violations are investigated…
Common violations in Santa Clara County include building or occupying structures without permits, unpermitted grading, illegal accessory dwelling units, cannabis cultivation…