258 local rules on file · Pop. 21,150 · Santa Clara County
Showing ordinances that apply to Stanford, CA
Stanford is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 21,150 in Santa Clara County, California. Because Stanford is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal government or city code. Instead, Santa Clara County ordinances apply directly to residential and commercial properties here. The rules below are the county-level regulations that govern your area. Nearby incorporated cities in Santa Clara County may have different rules.
Unincorporated Santa Clara County does not require a standalone home occupation permit for low-impact businesses, but operators must meet zoning performance standards. Cities have their own permits.
Santa Clara County home occupations must generate no more traffic, parking, or deliveries than normal residential use. Appointment-only visits and residential-scale deliveries only.
These unincorporated areas are also governed by Santa Clara County ordinances.
Santa Clara County allows home occupations in residential zones as an accessory use when clearly incidental to the dwelling, operated by a resident, and limited to 25 percent of floor area.
Santa Clara County STR operators must collect and remit TOT on stays 30 days or less. City rates vary (San Jose 10 percent, Sunnyvale 12.5 percent). Hosts remain liable even if platform collects.
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.
STR hosts in Santa Clara County must provide on-site parking matching residential zoning (typically 2 spaces) and cannot rely on street parking in residential permit districts.
Short-term rentals in Santa Clara County must follow the noise ordinance: 45 dBA nighttime (10pm-7am), 55 dBA daytime at property lines. Excessive guest noise is enforced as a nuisance.
Santa Clara County STRs follow a two-per-bedroom-plus-two overnight occupancy formula. San Jose caps non-hosted STRs at 10 overnight guests. Events and large gatherings are often prohibited.
Santa Clara County cities cap non-hosted STRs: San Jose at 180 days per year, Palo Alto at 90 nights. Hosted rentals where the owner is present are typically uncapped.
Santa Clara County STR hosts typically need at least 500,000 dollars liability insurance, either via a dedicated policy or equivalent platform coverage. Standard HO-3 policies usually exclude STRs.
Short-term rentals in unincorporated Santa Clara County require TOT registration with the County Department of Tax and Collections. No separate STR permit system like incorporated cities.
Santa Clara County regulates tree trimming through Heritage Tree and Hillside ordinances. Light maintenance pruning is allowed, but heritage trees like native oaks require permits for substantial canopy work.
Santa Clara County encourages California native plants with Valley Water rebates for turf conversions. MWELO requires 75 percent low-water plants in new landscapes, and heritage native oaks are protected countywide.
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.
Valley Water sets countywide water conservation rules and drought stages. Outdoor watering is typically limited to three days per week before 9 AM or after 6 PM, with state law banning non-functional turf.
Santa Clara County permits artificial turf in residential yards, and Civil Code 4735 protects drought-tolerant landscaping from HOA bans. Permeable backing, setbacks, and VHFHSZ fire separation apply.
Santa Clara County requires a tree removal permit for heritage trees such as native oaks over 12 inches DBH, trees in hillside zoning districts, and any tree associated with an active development application.
Santa Clara County weed abatement program requires unmaintained grass and weeds to be cut to 4 inches or less in fire hazard areas. The County Fire Marshal enforces annual abatement, typically with a May deadline.
Santa Clara County declares overgrown weeds, dead vegetation, and combustible debris a public nuisance under the weed abatement program. Non-compliant parcels are abated by contractors with costs liened to tax bills.
California AB 1750 Rainwater Capture Act allows rooftop rainwater harvesting without a water rights permit. Santa Clara County permits rain barrels freely, with building permits required for tanks over 5,000 gallons.
Santa Clara County complies with CA ADU mandates (Gov Code 65852.2, AB 68/881/SB 13, AB 1033). One ADU plus one JADU allowed on single-family lots up to 1,200 sq ft with ministerial approval in 60 days.
Santa Clara County permits garage-to-ADU conversions ministerially under state law with no replacement parking required. Building permits address egress, ceiling height, insulation, and electrical upgrades.
Santa Clara County permits carports as accessory structures, requiring a building permit when over 120 sq ft. Detached carports sit 5 ft from side/rear lines, and VHFHSZ zones require ignition-resistant materials.
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, sheds are regulated as accessory buildings under Zoning Ordinance Section 4.20.020. A shed whose combined length plus width plus height does not exceed 16 feet is exempt from zoning regulation, but a building permit may still apply under the California Building Code. Larger sheds in urban residential districts (R1, R1E, R2, R1S, RHS) are capped at 12 feet (16-foot ridge with hip/gable roof), one story, must sit in the rear half of the lot or 75 feet from the front line, and may not cover more than 30 percent of the rear yard.
Unincorporated Santa Clara County allows movable tiny homes as a substitute for one Accessory Dwelling Unit under Zoning Ordinance Section 4.10.015(E), adopted by Ordinance NS-1200.371 on March 10, 2020. The unit must comply with state ANSI 119.5 standards, be DMV-registered, sit on a permanent connection to water, sewer or septic, and electric, and have at least 100 square feet of enclosed space. Standard detached ADUs may go up to 1,200 square feet at 16 feet in height with 4-foot side and rear setbacks under Cal. Gov. Code 65852.2.
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 County allows backyard beekeeping in most zones with setback and hive-count limits. Registration with the County Agricultural Commissioner is required under state law, and flyway barriers are typical.
Santa Clara County prohibits feeding wildlife including deer, raccoons, coyotes, and turkeys. Attractant management is required in foothill neighborhoods where lions and bears are active.
Santa Clara County does not impose breed-specific bans. California Food and Agriculture Code 31683 preempts counties from restricting dog ownership by breed, but dangerous dogs of any breed may be declared and regulated.
Santa Clara County requires dogs to be leashed (maximum 6 feet) in all public areas, including county parks. Off-leash is permitted only in designated dog parks. Violations are infractions with fines.
Santa Clara County allows backyard chickens in most residential zones with setback requirements. Roosters are restricted in suburban areas, and larger livestock is limited to rural residential and agricultural zones.
Livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, and goats are allowed in Rural Residential, Hillside, and Agricultural zones of Santa Clara County. Minimum parcel sizes, stocking limits, and Right to Farm protections apply.
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.
Santa Clara County streamlines residential EV charger permits under AB 1236, and Civil Code 4745 protects the right to install chargers in HOAs and rentals.
Santa Clara County participates in the statewide Abandoned Vehicle Abatement program, allowing removal of derelict vehicles from public and private property after notice.
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, driveways must not block sidewalks or public rights-of-way, and curb cuts require an encroachment permit from Roads and Airports.
Unincorporated Santa Clara County has no blanket overnight parking ban on public streets, but CVC 22651(k) allows towing of vehicles parked over 72 hours in one spot.
RV parking in unincorporated Santa Clara County is governed by county zoning standards. The County has been updating RV park regulations to prevent misuse of properties.
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.
Outdoor burning in Santa Clara County is tightly restricted under BAAQMD Regulation 5 and County Fire rules. Most residential yard-waste burning is prohibited; permits needed for ag and hazard fires.
Wood-burning fire pits are restricted in Santa Clara County due to BAAQMD rules and fire-safety concerns. Gas and propane pits are allowed with setbacks. Spare the Air days ban all outdoor wood fires.
California Health and Safety Code 13113.7 requires working smoke alarms in all residences. Santa Clara County enforces this plus additional rules for battery-backup, interconnection, and carbon monoxide alarms.
CAL FIRE maps Santa Clara County foothills (Santa Cruz Mountains and Diablo Range) as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. VHFHSZ designation triggers WUI building standards and defensible space rules.
Public Resources Code 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in Santa Clara County foothill VHFHSZ areas. CAL FIRE and county fire departments inspect annually with fines for noncompliance.
ALL fireworks - including state-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks - are illegal in unincorporated Santa Clara County. The County has banned the sale, possession, storage, and use of fireworks in unincorporated areas since 1978 through Santa Clara County Ordinance Code Sections A33-61, A33-62, A33-64, and B7-15. State law (California Health & Safety Code 12500 et seq.) separately prohibits all 'dangerous fireworks' (aerials, firecrackers, M-80s, etc.) statewide. Administrative fines start at $350 for the first violation and can reach $1,000+, and a 'social host' provision holds property owners responsible for fireworks discharged on their property.
Fire pits in unincorporated Santa Clara County must comply with California Fire Code setback requirements and BAAQMD wood burning restrictions.
Industrial noise in unincorporated Santa Clara County must comply with the County Noise Ordinance and CEQA thresholds. Industrial-zone limits are 70 dBA day and 65 dBA night at property lines.
Santa Clara County regulates amplified music through its noise ordinance with decibel limits and quiet hours. Outdoor amplified sound generally requires a permit and must meet property-line limits.
Santa Clara County sets tiered decibel limits by zone: 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night in residential, 60/50 dBA in commercial, and 70/65 dBA in industrial areas, measured at the receiving property line.
Santa Clara County unincorporated areas follow California AB 1346, which prohibits sale of new gas-powered leaf blowers statewide as of 2024. County noise ordinance restricts operation during nighttime hours.
Outdoor music events in unincorporated Santa Clara County typically require a temporary event permit and comply with noise limits. Foothill wedding venues operate under CUPs ending by 10:00 PM.
Aircraft noise is regulated federally by the FAA, not by Santa Clara County. San Jose International (SJC) operates under an FAA Part 150 noise compatibility program with a voluntary curfew from 11:30 PM to 6:30 AM.
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, the County Noise Ordinance (Title B, Division B11, Chapter VIII of the County Ordinance Code) sets exterior noise limits by receiving land use rather than fixed clock-time quiet hours. Residential properties cannot generate noise that exceeds the daytime/nighttime limits in Table B11-152 measured at any other property line, with stricter limits between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Tonal sounds, music, and speech with informational content reduce the allowable limit by 5 dB. The Department of Environmental Health Consumer Protection Division (CPD) investigates noise complaints in unincorporated areas at (408) 918-3400. Cities within the county (San Jose, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, etc.) enforce their own municipal noise codes.
Santa Clara County zoning limits front yard fences to 3 ft solid or 4 ft open, and side/rear yard fences to 6 ft. Corner lots must maintain vision clearance triangles at intersections.
California Civil Code 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) presumes equal cost-sharing for boundary fences between Santa Clara County neighbors. Written 30-day notice is required before shared fence work.
California Health and Safety Code 115920 requires swimming pool barriers at least 60 inches tall with self-closing self-latching gates, plus a second drowning prevention feature in Santa Clara County.
Santa Clara County prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fences in residential zones. Foothill VHFHSZ areas recommend non-combustible fencing within 5 feet of structures for ember resistance.
Santa Clara County requires building permits for retaining walls over 3 feet tall measured from bottom of footing to top. Hillside and foothill properties often need geotechnical reports and engineered plans.
Santa Clara County unincorporated areas require building permits for fences over 6 feet tall. Side and rear yard fences up to 6 ft are exempt, and front yard fences are limited to 3 ft solid.
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, fence height is regulated by the County Zoning Ordinance administered by the Department of Planning and Development. Fences, hedges, and screen plantings cannot exceed 3 feet in height in required front yards or in the street side or corner-lot side yards adjacent to key lots. Fences up to 6 feet are allowed elsewhere on a residential lot, with up to 8 feet permitted around required swimming pool enclosures and along rear yards abutting major thoroughfares of four or more lanes. Where non-residential districts adjoin residential districts, common-line fences cannot exceed 6 feet (3 feet beyond the residential setback). Contact Planning at (408) 299-5700. The 15 cities in the county apply their own zoning codes within their limits.
Santa Clara County hot tubs over 18 inches deep need a building permit and must use VGB Act anti-entrapment drains. A locking ASTM F1346 safety cover satisfies most barrier requirements.
Santa Clara County requires a building permit for pools and spas over 18 inches deep, with mandatory compliance to the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (H and S 115920) drowning prevention rules.
Pool fencing in unincorporated Santa Clara County is governed primarily by California state law - the Swimming Pool Safety Act (Cal. Health & Safety Code 115920-115929) and California Building Code 3109. New or remodeled pools (and most newly purchased homes with a pool) must have a barrier at least 60 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates that open away from the pool, OR provide at least two of seven approved drowning prevention safety features. Santa Clara County Code Division B11 covers public/permitted pools; private pool barriers are enforced through the County's adopted California Building Code via the Department of Planning and Development.
Residential pools and spas in unincorporated Santa Clara County are governed by California Health and Safety Code Sections 115920 through 115929 (the Pool Safety Act), enforced through the California Building Standards Code as adopted in County Title B. Section 115922 requires at least two of seven drowning prevention features whenever a pool or spa is built or remodeled. Zoning Ordinance Section 4.20.020(J) adds a five-foot setback for pools and pool equipment from any property line.
Santa Clara County grading follows Division C12 and CBC Appendix J. Sites must slope runoff away from foundations at 5 percent for 10 feet. Redirecting drainage onto neighbors is barred.
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.
Santa Clara County Division C12 requires a grading permit over 50 cubic yards or 5000 sq ft disturbance. Hillside grading is barred Oct 15 to Apr 15 without winterization. Sites over 1 acre need state CGP.
Santa Clara County stormwater follows SCVURPPP and Municipal Regional Permit MRP 3.0. Projects over 10000 sq ft impervious need Low Impact Development treatment. Non-rain discharges are prohibited.
Santa Clara County enforces FEMA NFIP rules via Division B17. Zone A and AE areas along Coyote Creek and Guadalupe River require construction 1 foot above Base Flood Elevation. Federal loans need insurance.
Santa Clara County Division C12 sets R1 setbacks at 20 foot front, 5 foot side, and 20 foot rear, with larger 30 foot hillside requirements in HS combining districts. ADUs follow state 4 foot rule.
Santa Clara County Division C12 caps lot coverage at 40 percent in R1, 35 percent in RR, and 15 to 25 percent in HS Hillside zones. FAR caps of 0.35 to 0.45 apply in hillside areas. Detached 800 sq ft ADUs are exempt.
Santa Clara County caps residential height at 35 feet in R1 and 25 to 28 feet in hillside and ridgeline overlays under Division C12. Height is measured from natural grade to the highest point of the roof.
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 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.
Unincorporated Santa Clara County follows California AB 1482 statewide rent cap (5 percent plus CPI, max 10 percent) with no local rent control ordinance.
Unincorporated Santa Clara County does not require rental property registration, though business licenses may apply to multi-unit and short-term rental operators.
Santa Clara County landlords must follow California AB 1482 just cause eviction rules, requiring specified reasons and relocation assistance for no-fault terminations.
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.
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 County pre-1978 home renovation follows EPA RRP rules and CA Health and Safety Code 17920.10. Contractors disturbing more than 6 sq ft interior or 20 sq ft exterior painted surfaces must be lead-certified.
Santa Clara County elevators are regulated by Cal/OSHA under Labor Code 7300 to 7324. Every conveyance needs annual inspection and a current permit. HOA and condo elevators follow commercial rules.
Santa Clara County pest control follows CA DPR and County Ag Commissioner rules under Food and Ag Code 11701. Licensees register yearly and notify neighbors before fumigation. Tenants get 24 hour notice.
Santa Clara County scaffolding follows CA Labor Code 7150 through 7157 and Title 8 CCR 1635 to 1662. Scaffolds over 36 feet need engineered plans. All must have guardrails, toeboards, and pre-shift inspection.
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.
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 County protects Lick Observatory dark skies under Division C12. Fixtures within 10 miles of Mt Hamilton must be shielded at 2700 K or below. Other areas need full cutoff to prevent glare.
Santa Clara County Division C12 caps light trespass at 0.5 footcandles at the property line and requires full-cutoff fixtures. Spillover onto neighbors is also actionable as private nuisance under Civil Code 3479.
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.
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 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 County permits political signs on private property with content-neutral size and placement rules protected under the First Amendment.
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.
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.
Recreational drones in Santa Clara County are governed by FAA 14 CFR Part 107 and recreational rules, with restrictions near airports, parks, and the Lick Observatory.
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.
Santa Clara County HOAs cannot ban solar under Civil Code 714 and 4753. Aesthetic rules adding over 1000 dollars or losing 10 percent efficiency are void. Complete applications deem approved after 45 days.
Santa Clara County issues expedited residential solar permits within 3 business days under AB 2188 and AB 1414. Title 24 mandates solar on new homes. PG and E interconnection runs under Rule 21 and NEM 3.0 net billing.
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 County residents get 2-3 free bulky item pickups per year through their hauler for mattresses, furniture, appliances, and large items.
Santa Clara County requires trash, recycling, and organics carts to be placed curbside only on collection day and stored out of public view between pickups.
Santa Clara County mandates recycling and organics separation under AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383 with potential fines for non-compliant residents and businesses.
Unincorporated Santa Clara County contracts with Recology, GreenWaste, and other haulers for weekly trash, recycling, and organics pickup in compliance with SB 1383.
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.
Santa Clara County requires vacant lot owners to clear weeds, debris, and fire hazards annually, with mandatory weed abatement before fire season.
Snow is extremely rare in Santa Clara County's valley floor and Santa Clara County has no snow clearing ordinance; mountain properties should clear for safety.
Santa Clara County requires residents to store trash, recycling, and organics carts out of public view between collection days to maintain neighborhood aesthetics.
Santa Clara County's nuisance abatement code targets blighted properties with dead vegetation, junk accumulation, inoperative vehicles, and structural deterioration.
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).
Santa Clara County HOAs must offer free Internal Dispute Resolution under Civil Code 5900 and Alternative Dispute Resolution under 5925 before filing enforcement lawsuits. ADR typically involves mediation before court.
Santa Clara County HOA architectural review runs under Civil Code 4765. Owners submit written applications and receive written decisions, and associations must apply fair and consistent standards.
Santa Clara County HOA dues follow Civil Code 5600 to 5740. Regular dues cannot rise over 20 percent yearly, special assessments over 5 percent need a member vote, and delinquencies accrue 12 percent.
Santa Clara County HOAs enforce CC and Rs under Civil Code 5850 to 5895. Fines require 10 day written notice and a board hearing, and cannot become a lien unless tied to assessments. Selective enforcement is a defense.
Santa Clara County HOAs follow Davis-Stirling at Civil Code 4000 to 6150. Boards must hold open meetings with 4 day notice, post agendas, and allow member comment. Executive sessions are narrow.
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.