Santa Clara Zoning Decisions: September 2026

In September 2026, Santa Clara held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. 6 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 4 approved (100% approval rate), 2 deferred. Activity was down 49% compared to August (442 activity items across 4 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Architectural review to demolish two office buildings at 2801 and 2821 Scott Boulevard

Approved.

Architectural review approval to demolish two existing single-story office buildings and convert the former building footprints into a landscape amenity (pickleball court, flexible use area, walking loop, meadow) for the remaining office campus occupied by Roche on a 13.6-acre L-shaped site. Current zone LORD; general plan designation low-intensity office R&D. Approved by the hearing officer, exempt from CEQA per section 15301.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Continuance of architectural review for office building at 2300 and 2350 Walsh Avenue

Deferred.

Continuance of the architectural review for the demolition of existing structures and construction of a three-story 692,000 square foot office building with three levels of below-grade parking totaling 2,050 stalls, surface parking covered by full-take photovoltaic trellis, and a pedestrian bridge spanning Walsh Avenue, located at 2300 and 2350 Walsh Avenue. Continued to the October 14, 2026 meeting.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Architectural review for ADU at 150 Elmhurst Court

Approved.

Architectural review for the addition of an 882 square foot attached accessory dwelling unit (two bedrooms, two bathrooms) to an existing 2,215 square foot one-story single family residence on an approximately 6,275 square foot lot at 150 Elmhurst Court. Zoning R-1-6L single family residential; general plan very low density residential. Setbacks meet code (proposing five feet to sides and rear). Approved by hearing officer, exempt from CEQA class one.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Major significant property alteration at 580 Lincoln Street

Approved.

Architectural review, major significant property alteration permit for the proposed addition of a right side dormer on the second story, two new double hung windows, and an extension of the rear roof to the existing ridge line of an existing two-story residence listed on the historic resource inventory at 580 Lincoln Street. Purpose is to legalize an approximately 80-year-old second-floor apartment. HLC recommended approval. Approved by hearing officer.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

University Station Residential - annexation, pre-designation, pre-zone, and vesting tentative map at 451-475 El Camino Real

Approved.

Council approved five legislative/quasi-judicial actions for the University Station Residential project at 451-475 El Camino Real: (1) certify EIR and adopt CEQA findings and MMRP; (2) resolution of application for annexation of a 0.94-acre landlocked San Jose parcel (detachment from San Jose, concurrent annexation to Santa Clara); (3) general plan pre-designation of the San Jose parcel to Santa Clara Station Regional Mixed Use; (4) pre-zone of the San Jose portion to Mixed-Use Regional Commercial (MURC); (5) vesting tentative subdivision map combining two parcels into one to allow 27 lots, 111 townhomes, and one 297-unit apartment building (408 total units, 64 affordable). Applicant Bixby Land Company, developer Morley Brothers. Density 37.2 du/acre. Planning Commission recommended approval. Passed with Council Member Park dissenting; Council Member Cox recused due to Santa Clara University employment. Staff recommendation included a revised resolution distributed with minor revisions.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Deferral of ordinance amending Title 18 to establish Chapter 18.68 Replacement Housing Unit Regulations

Deferred.

Council voted to defer consideration of the introduction of an ordinance amending Title 18 (Zoning) of the Santa Clara City Code to establish Chapter 18.68, replacement housing unit regulations implementing state law. Staff had taken the item to the Planning Commission, which had additional questions; staff will do more work and bring it back, potentially before the end of 2026 or early 2027. Passed unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning Changes

• Zoning change, 0.94 acres (annexation portion); 10.96 acres total site at 451 to 475 El Camino Real (San Jose parcel portion) (Bixby Land Company)

Top Keywords This Month

• density: 38 instances
• residential: 24 instances
• annexation: 21 instances
• commercial: 20 instances
• zoning: 13 instances

What to Watch

• Annexation is new this month with 21 mentions, not present in August.

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