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.
California Government Code Sections 65300 et seq. require Santa Clara County to maintain a Comprehensive General Plan with the seven mandatory state elements (Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Conservation, Open Space, Noise, Safety) plus optional elements. The County Department of Planning and Development administers area-specific plans including the South County Joint Area Plan (with Gilroy and Morgan Hill), the Rural Unincorporated Areas plan, and the Stanford Community Plan governing university-adjacent unincorporated land. Where a specific plan or community plan conflicts with base Title C zoning, the plan controls. The Housing Element is updated on the state-mandated eight-year RHNA cycle and reviewed by HCD.
Building inconsistently with the Comprehensive Plan or applicable specific plan triggers permit denial, stop-work orders, and required redesign or restoration. Inconsistency findings can also expose project approvals to CEQA litigation challenges.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale permits construction noise Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM. No construction on Sundays or major holidays without ...
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale was one of the earliest California cities to ban gas-powered leaf blowers, ahead of statewide AB 1346. Only electric or battery blowers are allowed...
Sunnyvale, CA
Aircraft noise from Moffett Federal Airfield, NASA Ames, and San Jose International is preempted by federal FAA rules. Sunnyvale cannot regulate overflight n...
Sunnyvale, CA
Street parking in Sunnyvale is governed by SMC Title 10 and California Vehicle Code. The 72-hour rule (CVC 22651(k)) applies, and posted permit zones restric...
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale driveway construction and use are governed by SMC Title 19 zoning and Title 16 encroachment rules. Blocking sidewalks or the public right-of-way is...
Sunnyvale, CA
RVs, trailers, and boats over 6 feet tall or 22 feet long are restricted on Sunnyvale streets under SMC Title 10. Short-term loading is allowed with limits; ...
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