(a) 
"Active recreational use"
shall mean activity that requires the use of organized play areas, including, but not limited to, softball, baseball, football and soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts, fitness stations and various forms of children's play equipment.
(b) 
"Approving authority"
shall mean the board, body or individual otherwise empowered by this Code or State law to approve the development application.
(c) 
"Average density"
shall mean the average number of persons per household, as established by City Council resolution, in accordance with the most recent available Federal Census data.
(d) 
"Complete application"
means an application for a residential development that has been determined to be complete by the Department of Planning and Inspection.
(e) 
"Dwelling unit categories"
shall mean the following types of dwellings, as they are defined by the Zoning Ordinance, for which a separate dedication and/or fee requirement is to be set by Council resolution:
(1) 
Duplex dwellings and multiple dwellings.
(2) 
Single-family dwellings.
(f) 
"Parkland dedication standard"
shall mean the acreage of park and recreational facilities to be provided per one thousand (1,000) City residents, which shall be initially set at three acres per one thousand (1,000) residents, and as may be periodically adjusted by City Council resolution.
(Ord. 1928 § 3, 7-15-2014; Ord. 1937 § 1, 2-24-2015)
Every person who constructs or causes to be constructed a dwelling unit or dwelling units or who subdivides residential property shall dedicate land, pay a fee in lieu thereof, or provide a combination of such dedication and fee, at the discretion of the City, for the purpose of developing new or rehabilitating existing park or recreational facilities, at the time and according to the standards and formula contained in this chapter.
(a) 
For subdivisions containing more than fifty (50) parcels, condominium developments of more than fifty (50) dwelling units, and residential developments not including a subdivision, the City may impose a parkland dedication requirement, a fee in lieu of such dedication, or a combination of the two.
(b) 
Except as otherwise provided in this section, for subdivisions of fifty (50) parcels or fewer, the City may impose a fee only. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a condominium project, stock cooperative, or community apartment project contains fifty (50) parcels or fewer, but will contain more than fifty (50) dwelling units, the City may impose a parkland dedication requirement, a fee in lieu of such dedication, or a combination of the two.
(Ord. 1928 § 3, 7-15-2014)
The formula for determining the required acreage to be dedicated shall be as follows:
(a) 
The average density for the specific dwelling unit category; multiplied by
(b) 
The parkland dedication standard; divided by
(c) 
One thousand (1,000) population.
By way of example, as of the adoption date of this chapter, the average density for a single-family detached dwelling unit is 2.9 persons, and the parkland dedication standard is three acres per one thousand (1,000) residents. For a single-family detached unit, the required acreage would therefore be 2.9 x 3.0 / 1,000 = 0.0087 acres per single-family detached unit.
(Ord. 1928 § 3, 7-15-2014)
(a) 
When a fee is required to be paid in lieu of parkland dedication, the maximum amount of such fee shall be determined by the fair market value of the amount of land that would otherwise be required to be dedicated pursuant to SCCC § 17.35.030, as set forth below. The date of valuation of the property for in-lieu fee purposes shall be the date that the City determines that the developer's application for a parcel map or tentative subdivision map, or application for projects not involving a subdivision, is complete.
(b) 
Fair Market Value.
(1) 
The City shall determine the fair market value of the property by using the average per acre land value for property in the City of Santa Clara, based upon a survey of land values and sale records in the City. The City Council shall set a minimum of three such average values, one for each of the three existing Zip Codes in the City (95050, 95051, 95054). The City Council may, at its discretion, set average values for additional subregions of the City. The City Council shall review the fair market values not less than annually and set the values in a Council resolution.
(2) 
If the developer objects to this determination of fair market value, the developer may elect to have the value established by appraisal. If the developer chooses this option, the developer shall deposit with the City an amount sufficient to cover the cost of an appraisal, which the City shall conduct. The appraisal shall be completed prior to approval of the tentative or parcel map or, for developments not involving a subdivision, prior to the issuance of a building permit.
(c) 
Based on the determination of fair market value set forth in subsection (b)(1) of this section, for each of the dwelling unit categories, the City Council shall set the amount of fees to be paid in lieu of parkland dedication in a Council resolution, which the Council shall review annually.
(Ord. 1928 § 3, 7-15-2014)
In subdivisions of over fifty (50) parcels of land, in condominium developments of more than fifty (50) dwelling units, and in residential developments not involving a subdivision, a combination of land dedication and fee payment may be required. In any such case, the sum of the in-lieu fees and the fair market value of the land to be dedicated shall equal the amount that would otherwise be required if the developer paid only an in-lieu fee pursuant to this chapter.
(a) 
When only a portion of the land to be developed is identified in the parks, open space, and recreation goals and policies of the General Plan as the site for a local park, the portion identified in the General Plan shall be dedicated for local park purposes and a fee computed pursuant to the provisions of SCCC § 17.35.040 shall be paid for any additional land that would have been required to be dedicated pursuant to SCCC § 17.35.030.
(b) 
When a major part of the local park or recreational site has already been dedicated and only a small portion of land is needed from the subdivision to complete the site, the remaining portion shall be dedicated and a fee computed pursuant to the provisions of SCCC § 17.35.040 shall be paid in an amount equal to the value of the land which would otherwise have been required to be dedicated pursuant to SCCC § 17.35.030, the fees to be used for the improvement of the existing park and recreational facility or for the improvement of other local parks and recreational facilities in the area serving the subdivision.
(c) 
If, as a result of a recent annexation or boundary change, the General Plan does not specify the specific amount of park and recreational land for a proposed subdivision containing more than fifty (50) parcels or a residential development not involving a subdivision of more than fifty (50) dwelling units, the City Council shall determine whether it accepts a land dedication, payment of a fee, or a combination of both a dedication and fee, based upon the following factors:
(1) 
The topography, geology, access and location of land in the development available for dedication;
(2) 
The size and shape of the development and land available for dedication;
(3) 
The feasibility of dedication; and
(4) 
The availability of previously dedicated park property.
(d) 
The determination of the City as to whether land shall be dedicated, or whether a fee shall be charged, or a combination thereof, shall be final and conclusive.
(Ord. 1928 § 3, 7-15-2014)
The fees collected pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited to the park impact fee fund, and shall be used for the purposes set forth below.
(a) 
Money within the park impact fee fund shall be segregated by fee source and used and expended primarily for the acquisition and/or expansion of parks and recreational facilities reasonably related to serving the public by way of purchase of necessary land.
(b) 
In the alternative, for residential projects involving subdivisions only, if the City Council finds that there is already sufficient land available for such uses, then as a second priority, this money shall be used for the improvement and rehabilitation of existing land and facilities for park and recreational purposes.
(c) 
Except as otherwise provided in this section, for developments involving a subdivision of land, the land, fees, or combination thereof shall be used to serve the subdivision. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for subdivisions for which the City requires the payment of fees or a combination of a land dedication and fees, the fees may be spent on facilities in a neighborhood other than the neighborhood of the subdivision, if all of the following requirements are met:
(1) 
The neighborhood in which the fees are to be expended has fewer than three acres of park area per one thousand (1,000) members of the neighborhood population;
(2) 
The neighborhood of the subdivision for which the fees are paid has a park area that meets or exceeds the parkland dedication standard;
(3) 
The City holds a public hearing before using the fees;
(4) 
It is reasonably foreseeable that residents of the subdivision will use the proposed park and recreational facilities in the neighborhood where the fees are used; and
(5) 
The neighborhood where the fees are used is within a ten-minute walking distance of the subdivision.
(Ord. 1928 § 3, 7-15-2014)
Where private open space is to be provided in a proposed residential development, the developer may submit a written request with the project application for a credit against the amount of parkland dedication or the amount of the in-lieu fee thereof. Except as otherwise provided below, as a prerequisite for receiving credit, housing developments of fifty (50) or more units must first dedicate a minimum of one acre of public open space to the City for public park purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, housing developments consisting solely of multifamily units will be exempt from the one acre public open space dedication prerequisite. A maximum credit of fifty percent (50%) of the value of the land devoted to private open space that is eligible for credit may be given against the requirement of land dedication or fees in lieu thereof required by this chapter, if the approving authority finds that it complies with this section and that it is in the public interest to do so. In order to receive such a credit, the approving authority must make findings that the private open space meets the following standards:
(a) 
The calculation of private open space shall not include features required to be included by zoning and building codes and other applicable laws, including but not limited to yards, court areas, setbacks, decorative landscape areas required with residential site design and other open areas.
(b) 
The private open space shall be devoted to active recreational uses, and for developments involving a subdivision shall be wholly or partially owned and maintained by the future residents of the development. The private ownership and maintenance of the open space shall be restricted for such use by a recorded written agreement, conveyance, covenant or restrictions. Such document shall be subject to the prior review and approval of the City Attorney, and any future proposed amendments must be first submitted to the City Attorney for approval prior to adoption.
(c) 
The space shall be reasonably adapted for use for recreational purposes, taking into consideration such factors as size, shape, topography, geology, access and location, and the developer must propose and agree to design and construct the necessary recreational and park facilities and improvements associated with each element of the private open space set forth below; said facilities and improvements shall be constructed prior to the issuance of a certificate of use and occupancy for the units that are receiving the credit.
(d) 
Facilities proposed for the open space shall be in substantial compliance with the provisions of the parks, open space, and recreation goals and policies of the General Plan.
(e) 
The developer shall supply a covenant to maintain the open space to the City Attorney prior to approval of the final subdivision map for review and approval. Once approved by the City Attorney, such document shall be recorded simultaneously with the final subdivision map.
(f) 
The private open space must contain at least four of the following eight elements:
(1) 
Turfed play field, comprised of a single unit of land which is generally level and free of physical barriers which would inhibit group play activities with a minimum contiguous area of one-half acre;
(2) 
Children's play apparatus area that conforms to the then current Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines;
(3) 
Landscaped and furnished, park-like quiet area;
(4) 
Recreational community gardens;
(5) 
Family picnic area;
(6) 
Game, fitness or sport court area;
(7) 
Accessible swimming pool (minimum size forty-two (42) feet by seventy-five (75) feet) with adjacent deck and lawn areas;
(8) 
Recreation center buildings and grounds.
(g) 
Shape and Size.
(1) 
The combined area of active recreational uses for a facility to qualify is a minimum of three-quarters acre.
(2) 
The shape and location of the open space shall provide the greatest utility possible to the greatest number of residents of the development for which credit is sought. If limited access recreation areas are proposed, their credit value can only be applied against the park fee obligation generated by those residents with access to the said recreation area.
(3) 
Irregularly shaped pieces of property of less than optimum utility or burdened by topographic considerations that render them unsuitable for active recreational uses shall not be eligible for credit.
(h) 
Housing developments for which one hundred percent (100%) of the units are affordable to low and/or moderate income households, and housing developments for senior citizens authorized by the California Civil Code or the Federal Fair Housing Amendments Act, will be eligible for up to an additional fifteen percent (15%) credit toward the parkland dedication requirement or fees in lieu thereof; provided, that the approving authority finds that (1) the development complies with all other provisions of this section and that (2) providing the additional credit would serve the public interest.
(Ord. 1928 § 3, 7-15-2014; Ord. 1937 § 2, 2-24-2015)
(a) 
Upon receiving a complete application for a residential development or subdivision, the Director of Parks and Recreation shall determine the conditions necessary to comply with the requirements for parkland dedication or fees in-lieu thereof as set forth in this chapter and said conditions shall be proposed to the approving authority as conditions of approval for the project. The establishment of such conditions for projects that do not involve a subdivision shall comply with the procedures set forth in Government Code Section 66001 et seq.
(b) 
At the time of project approval, the approving authority shall consider the recommendation of the Director of Parks and Recreation and make a final determination as to the land to be dedicated and/or fees to be paid by the developer.
(c) 
Any in-lieu fees imposed under this chapter shall be due and payable to the City prior to issuance of a building permit for each dwelling unit. The in-lieu fee due for each dwelling unit is determined based on the number of units within the dwelling unit and eligible credit for the dwelling unit as authorized in this chapter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) when required by applicable state law, or (2) upon request of a project developer for projects that receive building permits prior to December 31, 2027; and provided that the conditions set forth in subsection (d) of this section are satisfied, a developer’s obligation to pay in-lieu fees maybe deferred to the date which is the earlier to occur of: (i) approval of the first temporary certificate of occupancy, (ii) the final building inspection, or (iii) the issuance of a final certificate of occupancy for the project.
(d) 
To qualify for the fee deferral described in subsection (c) of this section, the City Manager must determine the deferral will not negatively affect the City’s park expansion efforts, and the owner, or lessee if the lessee’s interest appears of record, of the real property for which the fees are required must enter into a recordable agreement with the City that provides for the terms of deferral (“Fee Deferral Agreement”). The Fee Deferral Agreement shall be executed and recorded prior to issuance of the building permit for the development. The Fee Deferral Agreement shall constitute a lien on the property from the date of recordation and shall be enforceable against successors in interest to the property owner or lessee. Among other terms approved by the City Manager and the City Attorney, the Fee Deferral Agreement shall provide that approval of the first temporary certificate of occupancy for each separate dwelling (if there are multiple buildings) shall not be granted until the in-lieu fees are paid for that dwelling. The Fee Deferral Agreement shall also provide that, in any action to collect the in-lieu fee or any portion therefor, the City shall be entitled to all its costs of enforcement and collection, including reasonable attorney’s fees. The City Manager is authorized to execute the Fee Deferral Agreement and release of lien agreement on behalf of the City in a final form acceptable to the City Attorney. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right to defer payment shall automatically terminate if construction of the project has not commenced within five years of the date upon which the building permit is issued. In such event, the building permit may be revoked, or the full amount of the fee shall become immediately due and payable.
(e) 
Refunds. In the event a developer does not use a building permit for construction of a dwelling unit, the City will refund the fee collected for that dwelling unit at the time of expiration of the building permit. In addition, the City shall commit the funds to the uses authorized under this chapter within five years of the latter of the date the fee was paid, the issuance of buildings permits on one-half of the lots created by the subdivision, or the construction of one-half of the dwelling units for developments not involving subdivisions. If such fees are not committed within this time, they, without any deductions, shall be distributed and paid to the then record owners of the properties in the same proportion that the size of their lot bears to the total area of all lots within the development.
(Ord. 1928 § 3, 7-15-2014; Ord. 2082, 11/18/2025)
This chapter shall not apply to the following developments:
(a) 
Commercial or industrial subdivisions that involve no residential component. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City may, at its discretion, impose a condition on the approval of a parcel map or subdivision map requiring that if a building permit is requested for construction of a residential structure or structures on one or more of the parcels within four years, the City may require the owner of each parcel to pay the fee as a condition of the issuance of the permit.
(b) 
Convalescent hospitals and similar dependent care facilities.
(c) 
Residence halls on the campus of a college or university.
(d) 
In the event that a developer pays a fee or dedicates land pursuant to this chapter for a multifamily rental housing development without a subdivision, and the developer or his successors subsequently subdivides the development within fifteen (15) years, the developer or his successors shall not be required to pay the fee or dedicate land for the subsequent subdivision that would be required under this chapter.
(e) 
Accessory dwelling units, as defined by the Zoning Ordinance.
(Ord. 1928 § 3, 7-15-2014)