Planning Code Enforcement

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Services–What We Do

The Planning Division Code Enforcement team commonly responds to your concerns about:

Private property maintenance (overgrown vegetation, etc.)
Indoor furniture outside (couch or sofa in the front yard)
Makeshift tarps (canopies) in back, front, & side yards
Carport/car canopy in the front yard
Garbage – buildup of discarded materials and/or debris
Improperly stored trash containers
Cars parked in landscape areas
Inoperable, wrecked, or disabled vehicles on private property, regardless of registration status
Home-based business complaints

Need to Report a Concern?

MySantaClara is the best way to report issues and concerns. Simply snap a photo, add the location, and send your request!

It lets you track your complaint, get email updates, email the assigned personnel, and see the completion date. Submit your request online or learn more about the MySantaClara app. We may also be reached at 408-615-2460.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following contains answers to questions that are commonly received by Planning Code Enforcement. Please refer to the City's Zoning Code (PDF) for fuller details and other answers you may be seeking.

Front Yard

My neighbor always parks his vehicle on the grass. Is this a violation?
Yes. Vehicles are strictly prohibited from parking in the required landscaped areas.
My neighbor has a garage sale every weekend. Is this a violation?
Yes. Garage sales are only allowed to occur once every 6 months.

The City does have a city-wide garage sale where all residents can participate. Check the City Calendar to find out when the next one is.
Is it lawful to post garage sale or other temporary signs on utility poles, street trees or street signposts?
No. Posting any signs on City property is prohibited.
My neighbor has placed a canopy in his driveway. Is this considered a violation?
Yes. Temporary structures, including canopies, are not permitted within the 20-foot yard setback area.
My next-door neighbor has a boat in his driveway. Is he allowed to keep his boat on his driveway?
Yes. Boats are permitted on driveways provided the boat fits in the driveway and does not encroach into the public right-of-way.

Backyard

My neighbor built a shed in his backyard, and it is two feet away from my fence. Does the shed require a permit? Is there a setback requirement?
Sheds that are 120 square feet or less do not require a building permit.

All structures must maintain a setback of 3 feet from the side property line and 5 feet from the rear property. Sheds greater than 120 square feet must get a building permit from the Building Division.
Is it a violation to have a rooster as a pet in a residential area?
Yes. Roosters are strictly prohibited.

Construction Related

My neighbor is constructing a new home, and the construction workers begin work at 6:30 in the morning. Is this a violation?

Yes. Construction hours are from:

7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
Saturday construction hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
No construction on Sundays or City observed holidays.

However, property owners working on their own homes are exempt from the above restrictions.

Home-Based Businesses

My next-door neighbor has a home business and is always dispatching employees from his house. Is this a code violation?
Yes. Dispatching employees from a residence is strictly prohibited.
My neighbor has an in-home day care and has placed a banner advertising his business in a residential neighborhood. Is this permitted?
In-home day cares are permitted in California, but banners advertising the business are regulated by the Santa Clara Municipal Code. Signs in residential areas are not permitted unless they are related to the sale, lease or rental of the property where the sign is located.