Santa Clara Zoning Decisions: May 2026

In May 2026, Santa Clara held 7 public meetings covering zoning matters. Of 6 zoning decisions with a clear outcome this month, 6 were approved (100% approval rate). 3 decisions were deferred. Activity was down 19% compared to April (394 activity items across 5 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Continuance of Historic District Removal at 1341 Homestead Rd/970 Monroe St

Deferred.

Continued public hearing on rezoning to remove historic combined district from 1341 Homestead Rd (970 Monroe St) and tentative subdivision map to subdivide property into two parcels, each containing one existing residence, to June 10th Planning Commission meeting.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

2nd Story Addition at 758 Frederick Ave

Approved.

104 square foot first story addition and 875 square foot second story addition to existing 1,305 square foot one-story single family home, resulting in 2,284 square foot two-story residence with 420 square foot detached garage on 6,669 square foot lot zoned R16L. Applicant is Bob Bryant of Bryant Design Group. 2nd floor is 62% of 1st floor area, compliant with 66% guideline.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Continuance of 3rd Zoning Code Cleanup Ordinance and TN to R6 Rezoning

Deferred.

Continued public hearing on the 3rd zoning code cleanup ordinance and rezoning of property currently designated TN (transit neighborhood) to R6 (transit neighborhood residential) to June 10th Planning Commission meeting.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Planning Commission Work Plan FY 2026-2027

Approved.

Approved work plan including study sessions on housing legislation, infrastructure planning, VTA transit planning, code enforcement, real estate market conditions, CEQA updates, capital improvement program, data centers, autonomous vehicles, and cell tower master planning. Land use priorities for council include data center development standards, entertainment district, supportive housing, sustainability policies, vacant and blighted building ordinance, and skilled labor policy.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

El Camino Real Specific Plan Adoption

Approved.

Council certified the Environmental Impact Report and adopted the El Camino Real Specific Plan covering the 3.2-mile corridor from western city limits to Lafayette St. The plan creates capacity for approximately 4,400 new residential units, establishes four land use designations with densities ranging from 12-100 dwelling units per acre, requires 15% affordable housing at 80% AMI average, and implements a 30-degree daylight plane for transitions to single-family neighborhoods.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

General Plan Amendment for El Camino Real Land Use Designations

Approved.

Council approved general plan text amendments creating five new land use designations: Regional Corridor Mixed Use (55-100 DU/acre, 0.2 commercial FAR), Corridor Mixed Use (45-65 DU/acre), Corridor Residential (26-45 DU/acre), Corridor Residential Low (12-25 DU/acre), and Ground Floor Commercial Overlay. The general plan land use diagrams for phases two and three were amended to reflect these designations.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Third Zoning Code Cleanup Ordinance Continuance

Deferred.

Council opened the public hearing and continued the third zoning code cleanup ordinance and rezoning of properties designated transit neighborhood to R6 transit neighborhood residential to July 14, 2026.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Santa Clara Tourism Improvement District Renewal Intent

Approved.

Council adopted resolution of intention to renew the SCTID for five years starting July 1, 2026. The district includes 11 hotels with 10+ rooms, funded by 2% assessment on overnight stays (with ladder up to 3% requiring board and hotel majority vote). Discover Santa Clara reported $3.2 million in assessment revenue versus $2.6 million forecast.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning Changes

• TN → R6 at Properties currently designated TN (transit neighborhood) (City of Santa Clara)
• Historic Combined District → Removal of Historic Combined District at 1341 Homestead Rd / 970 Monroe St (Not stated)
• El Camino Real Focus Area (General Plan) → Regional Corridor Mixed Use (55-100 DU/acre), Corridor Mixed Use (45-65 DU/acre), Corridor Residential (26-45 DU/acre), Corridor Residential Low (12-25 DU/acre), Ground Floor Commercial Overlay, 3.2-mile corridor acres at El Camino Real corridor from western city limits to Lafayette St. (City of Santa Clara)
• Higher density mixed-use designations → Corridor Residential Low (12-25 DU/acre) for townhomes at Approximately 60 parcels on northern side of El Camino Real adjacent to single-family homes (City of Santa Clara)
• Transit Neighborhood → R6 Transit Neighborhood Residential at Properties currently designated Transit Neighborhood (City of Santa Clara)

Top Keywords This Month

• residential: 45 instances
• commercial: 37 instances
• density: 22 instances
• zoning: 21 instances
• land use: 19 instances

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