Land use classifications define the range for density and intensity of potential projects, but do not guarantee approval at the maximum density or intensity specified for each classification. Site conditions may reduce development potential to less than the stated maximum.

Residential

Very Low Density Residential

This classification is intended for residential densities of up to ten units per gross acre. Development is typically single‐family in scale and character, with a prevailing building type of single‐family detached dwelling units. Development in this classification maintains a feeling of suburban living with setbacks between structures, parking, large landscaped yards and tree lined streets.

Low Density Residential

This classification is intended for residential densities of 8 to 19 units per gross acre. Building types may include detached or attached dwelling units. Low Density Residential development comes in the form of single‐family dwelling units, townhomes, rowhouses and combinations of these development types.

Medium Density Residential

This classification is intended for residential development at densities ranging from 20 to 36 units per gross acre. This density range accommodates a variety of housing types. It is primarily intended for areas with access from collector or arterial streets or in close proximity to neighborhood centers and mixed uses. Building types can include a combination of low‐rise apartments, townhouses and rowhouses with garage or below‐grade parking.

High Density Residential

This classification is intended for residential development at densities ranging from 37 to 50 units per gross acre. This density range is typically located in areas adjacent to major transportation corridors, transit or mixed uses. High Density Residential development has an urban feel, with mid‐rise buildings, structured or below‐grade parking, and shared open space.

Commercial

Neighborhood Commercial

This classification is intended for local‐serving retail, personal service and office uses that meet neighborhood needs, excluding new gas stations. Permitted uses include supermarkets, stores, local serving offices, medical facilities, restaurants, cafes, hair salons/barber shops and banks. The maximum FAR is 0.40.

Community Commercial

This classification is intended for retail and commercial uses that meet local and neighborhood demands. Permitted uses include community shopping centers and supermarkets, local professional offices, medical facilities, banks, restaurants, and neighborhood‐type services as well as new gas stations. The maximum FAR is 0.50.

Regional Commercial

This classification is intended for retail and commercial uses that provide local and regional services. It is intended for commercial developments that serve both Santa Clara residents and the surrounding region. A broad range of retail uses is allowed, including regional shopping centers, local‐serving offices, medical facilities, home improvement/durable goods sales and services, warehouse membership clubs, new and used auto sales and services, and travel‐related services such as hotels, gas stations, restaurants, convention centers, amusement parks and sports venues. The maximum FAR is 0.60.

Mixed Use

Neighborhood Mixed Use

This classification combines the Neighborhood Commercial and Medium Density Residential designations and is intended for pedestrian‐oriented development, with a focus on ground‐level neighborhood‐serving retail along street frontages and residential development on upper floors. A minimum 0.10 FAR is required for neighborhood‐serving retail, service commercial and/or local office uses. Auto‐oriented uses are not appropriate in this designation. For sites less than one acre, a minimum density of ten units per acre is required, and for sites larger than one acre, a minimum residential density of 20 units per acre is required, in addition to the minimum commercial FAR. The maximum number of units per acre is 36.

Community Mixed Use

This classification is a combination of the Community Commercial and Medium Density Residential designations and is intended to encourage a mix of residential and commercial uses along major streets. Auto‐oriented uses are not appropriate in this designation, except under certain circumstances within the El Camino Real Focus Area. Parking should be behind buildings, below‐grade or in structures, to ensure that active uses face public streets. Retail, commercial and neighborhood office uses, at a minimum FAR of 0.10, are required in conjunction with residential development between 20 and 36 units per acre.

Regional Mixed Use

This classification is a combination of the Regional Commercial and High Density Residential designations and is intended for high‐intensity, mixed‐use development along major transportation corridors in the City. This designation permits all types of retail, local serving offices, hotel and service uses, except for autooriented uses, to meet local and regional needs. A minimum FAR of 0.15 for commercial uses is required. Residential development of 37 to 50 units per gross acre is required. Site frontage along major streets (arterials or collectors) is required to have active, commercial uses.

Downtown Core

This classification is exclusively for land so designated within the Downtown Focus Area. It covers the eight blocks of the University Redevelopment Project Area, approximately seven acres, planned for high density residential and retail uses that will draw local and regional patrons and increase pedestrian activity in the City’s center. Development under this classification will result in approximately 400 residential units and 130,000 square feet of non‐residential development, excluding any space devoted to civic or public uses.

Santa Clara Station Focus Area

This classification exclusively applies to the Santa Clara Station Focus Area. Allowed residential densities and non‐residential floor area ratios are defined in Chapter 5 of the General Plan, Figure 5.4‐4, resulting in approximately 1,650 residential units and 2,000,000 square feet of non‐residential building space, including hotels.

Office/Industrial

Low-Intensity Office/Research and Development (R&D)

This classification is intended for campus‐like office development that includes office and R&D, as well as medical facilities and free standing data centers, with manufacturing uses limited to a maximum of 20 percent of the building area. It is typically located in areas that provide a transition between light industrial and higher‐intensity office and R&D uses. It includes landscaped areas for employee activities and parking that may be surface, structured or below‐grade. Accessory, or secondary, small scale supporting retail uses that serve local employees and visitors are also permitted. The maximum FAR is 1.00.

High-Intensity Office/Research and Development (R&D)

This classification is intended for high‐rise or campus‐like developments for corporate headquarters, R&D and supporting uses, with landscaped areas for employee activities. Permitted uses include offices and prototype R&D uses. Data centers under this designation are limited to those that serve the use on‐site. Medical facilities, except pharmacies, are not allowed. In addition, manufacturing uses are limited to less than ten percent of the building area. Accessory, or secondary, small‐scale supporting retail uses that serve local employees and visitors are also permitted. Parking is typically structured or below‐grade. The maximum FAR is 2.00, excluding any FAR devoted to supporting retail uses.

Light Industrial

This classification is intended to accommodate a range of light industrial uses, including general service, warehousing, storage, distribution and manufacturing. It includes flexible space, such as buildings that allow combinations of single and multiple users, warehouses, mini‐storage, wholesale, bulk retail, gas stations, data centers, indoor auto‐related uses and other uses that require large, warehouse‐style buildings. Ancillary office uses, excluding medical facilities, are also permitted to a maximum of 20 percent of the building area. Retail associated with the primary use may be up to a maximum of ten percent of the building area. Because uses in this designation may be noxious or include hazardous materials, places of assembly, such as religious institutions and schools, and uses catering to sensitive receptors, such as children and the elderly, as well as entertainment uses such as clubs, theaters and sports venues south of U.S. Highway 101, are prohibited. Parking is typically surface level. The maximum FAR is 0.60.

Heavy Industrial

This classification allows primary manufacturing, refining and similar activities. It also accommodates warehousing and distribution, as well as data centers. Support ancillary office space, excluding medical facilities, or retail associated with the primary use, may be up to a maximum of ten percent of the building area. No stand alone retail uses are allowed. Because uses in the designation may be noxious or include hazardous materials, places of assembly, such as religious institutions and schools, and uses catering predominately to sensitive receptors, such as children and the elderly, as well as entertainment uses such as clubs, theaters and sports venues south of U.S. Highway 101, are also prohibited. The maximum FAR is 0.45.

Public Facilities

Parks/Open Space

This classification is intended for improved and unimproved park and open space facilities, managed natural resource areas, and outdoor recreation areas. It includes neighborhood, community, and regional parks, public golf courses, recreational facilities, and nature preserves (such as Ulistac Natural Area that provide active or visual open space and serve the outdoor recreational needs of the community. New parks and open space uses are under section 5.5.1: Discretionary Use Goals and Policies of the General Plan. Restrictions are found under 5.3.1, General Land Use Goals and Policies, and 5.9.1 Parks, Open Space, and Recreation Goals and Policies.

Public/Quasi Public

This classification is intended for a variety of public and quasi public uses, including government offices, fire and police facilities, transit stations, commercial adult care and child care centers, religious institutions, schools, cemeteries, hospitals and convalescent care facilities, places of assembly and other facilities that have a unique public character as their primary use. Existing Public/Quasi‐Public uses are illustrated on the Land Use Diagrams, while new uses are subject to the policies in Section 5.3.1: General Land Use Goals and Policies, Section 5.3.5: Office and Industrial Land Use Goals and Policies, Section 5.5.1: Discretionary Use Goals and Policies, and 5.9.2: Schools and Community Facilities Goals and Policies. Find these sections in the General Plan.

New public and quasi‐public uses, including places of assembly, such as places of worship, schools, emergency shelters and convalescent homes, may be allowed in all General Plan designations, provided that access is from a Collector or larger roadway, and that they are compatible with planned uses on neighboring properties and other applicable General Plan policies. Such uses not associated with government operations are prohibited in areas designated Light Industrial or Heavy Industrial, and in areas designated High or Low Intensity Office/Research and Development outside the Exception Areas.

View the 2010-2035 General Plan for more information.