Chapter 18.02
ADOPTION, TITLE, INTENT, INTERPRETATION AND PURPOSE

Sections:

18.02.010  Adoption and title.

18.02.020  Intent and purpose.

18.02.030  Application of district regulations.

18.02.040  Interpretation.

18.02.010 Adoption and title.

This Title 18 (entitled "Zoning") shall be known and cited variously as the "Zoning Ordinance of the City of Santa Clara," the "City's Zoning Ordinance," the "Zoning Ordinance," or other similar designation. Title 18 may also be referred to as "this title." (Zoning Ord. § 1-1).

18.02.020 Intent and purpose.

(a) The intent of this title is to encourage development of various kinds of living, working and commercial activities in specific areas as defined in general in the general plan of the City and to segregate and protect the activities of these areas one from another and to accomplish the following purposes:

(1) To promote the public health, safety, morals, comfort, and general welfare.

(2) To conserve the values of property throughout the City and to protect the character and stability of residential, commercial, professional and manufacturing areas, and to promote the orderly and beneficial development of such areas.

(3) To provide adequate light, air, privacy, and convenience of access to property.

(4) To minimize congestion on the public streets and highways.

(5) To provide for the elimination of incompatible and nonconforming uses of land, buildings, and structures which are adversely affecting the character and value of desirable development in each district.

(6) To establish official plan lines and building setback lines.

(7) To define the powers and duties of the administrative officers and bodies as provided herein.

(8) To promote efficient urban design arrangement and to secure economy in governmental expenditures.

(9) To preserve landmarks which reflect the City's historical, architectural, cultural and aesthetic traditions and promote a sense of community identity and historic perspective. (Zoning Ord. § 1-2).

18.02.030 Application of district regulations.

The regulations established by this title within each zoning district shall be the minimum regulations and shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure or land.

(a) No building, structure, or land shall hereafter be used, maintained, or occupied, and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, maintained, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered except in conformity with all the regulations herein specified.

(b) No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of the ordinance codified in this title shall be reduced in dimensions or area below the minimum requirements set forth herein. Yards or lots created after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title shall meet at least the minimum requirements established by this title. (Zoning Ord. § 1-3).

18.02.040 Interpretation.

When interpreting and applying the provisions of this title, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare. Except as specifically herein provided, it is not intended by the adoption of this title to repeal, abrogate, annul, or in any way to impair or interfere with any existing provisions of law or ordinance, or any rules, regulations or permits previously adopted or issued, or which shall be adopted or issued pursuant to law relating to the erection, construction, maintenance, establishment, moving, alteration, or enlargement of any building or improvement; nor is it intended by this title to interfere with or abrogate or annul any easement, covenant or other agreement between parties; provided, however, that in cases in which this title imposes a greater restriction upon the erection, construction, maintenance, establishment, moving, alteration or enlargement of buildings, or the use of any such buildings or premises in said several districts, or any of them, than is imposed or required by such existing provisions of law or ordinance or by such rules, regulations, or permits or by such easements, covenants or agreements, then in such case the provisions of this title shall control. (Zoning Ord. § 1-4).