New Home Construction in Santa Clara, CA
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Before You Design: Check the HRI Map
Santa Clara asks owners to look up zoning on MapSantaClara and check the Historic Resource Inventory map, including whether the property is within 200 feet of an HRI property. That one check shapes how a new home is reviewed.
Architectural Review by Planning is required for new homes and for remodels and additions, using Zoning Code Chapter 18.10 and the City’s Single-Family and Duplex Residential Design Guidelines. The Director decides most projects without a hearing, but a Development Review Hearing is required when a project creates a new or expanded second story, five or more bedrooms, five or more bathrooms, two or more bedrooms with direct exterior access, or removes more than half the exterior walls. Planning approval comes before the building permit application.
Construction in Progress
Ask us about recent new-home and rebuild projects during your consultation.
New-Home Requirements in Santa Clara
- All-electric construction and one Level 2 EV-ready space (Ordinance 2056).
- Solar PV plans included in the submittal; they cannot be deferred.
- A geotechnical report where hillside, expansive soil or liquefaction conditions apply.
- Fire sprinklers in all new homes.
- City water and sewer approvals, with a separate application for each new service and a City sewer cleanout.
- Silicon Valley Power service to SVP standards.
- Santa Clara Unified school fees.
Permit Path
City Hall, 1500 Warburton Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Permit Center (408) 615-2420 · Building (408) 615-2440 · Planning (408) 615-2450
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Planning unavailable Thursdays 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.); walk-ins and appointments. Applications go through the Permitting Online Portal (POP).
Inspections are booked in POP up to 10 business days ahead. After 8 a.m. on inspection day, POP shows a two-hour arrival window, and someone must be on site. Cancel by 2 p.m. the business day before.
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Other Santa Clara services: Bathrooms · Kitchens · Additions · Santa Clara ADU builder · Santa Clara overview
Same service nearby: Sunnyvale · Milpitas · San Jose
See our custom home builder page.
Santa Clara New Home Construction FAQ
Must new homes in Santa Clara be all-electric?
Yes, under Ordinance 2056 since January 2023.
When does a new home need a hearing?
When it has a second story, five or more bedrooms or bathrooms, or two or more bedrooms with direct exterior access.
Can solar be a deferred submittal?
No. Santa Clara requires solar PV plans with the new-home submittal.
Who provides electricity?
Silicon Valley Power, the City’s utility.