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Title 19

Chapter 19.06 — OFFICIAL PLAN LINES

Sunnyvale Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-07 · Sunnyvale

§ 19.06.010. Purpose.

It is the purpose of the provisions of this chapter to protect and promote the public health, safety, peace, comfort, or general welfare; and specifically to provide for the systematic execution of the circulation element of the general plan for the city of Sunnyvale, by designating the precise location of planned rights-of-way and limiting the location of buildings and other improvements with respect to planned rights-of-way, and to provide an authentic source of information as to the development of the city of Sunnyvale. This chapter is adopted pursuant to Article 8, Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Title 7 of the California Government Code (§ 65450 et seq.) and shall be cited and referred to as the official plan lines ordinance of the city of Sunnyvale. (Ord. 2623-99 § 1)

§ 19.06.020. Construction or enlargement of improvements prohibited.

No building, structure, or other improvement, shall be erected, constructed, enlarged, or placed within the official plan lines established by this chapter, or amendments hereto, except that this section shall not apply to garden and agricultural crop planting or fences and agricultural irrigation systems in connection therewith; street, curb, gutter, and sidewalk improvements; public utility poles, and pipelines; or a temporary building or structure having a value of not more than one thousand dollars; provided, however, that prior to the construction of any temporary building or structure the owner of the property on which it is to be located shall execute an agreement with the city of Sunnyvale in accordance with the provisions of Section 19.06.040.

(Prior zoning code § 19.64.030; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)

§ 19.06.030. Conflicting permits or licenses void.

All departments, officials, and public employees of the city of Sunnyvale which are vested with the duty or authority to issue permits, licenses, or grant approval of the subdivision of land, shall conform to the provisions of this chapter and shall issue no such permit, license, or approval for uses, buildings, structures, or subdivisions where the same would be in conflict with the provisions of this chapter. Any such permit, license, or approval shall be null and void if issued in conflict with the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior zoning code § 19.64.040; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)

§ 19.06.040. Improvements permitted under certain conditions—Agreement for removal.

In the event there are special conditions or exceptional characteristics in the nature of a particular parcel of property, including size, shape, topography, location, or surroundings, such that a literal enforcement of this chapter in the particular case would result in practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships, the owner of the property may apply to the city council for permission to erect, construct, enlarge, or place a building, structure, or other improvements, other than those permitted in Section 19.06.020, within the official plan lines established by this chapter. The city council may grant such permission if (1) it is found necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of substantial property rights, (2) it would not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with the limitations imposed by this chapter on other properties in the vicinity of the affected property, and (3) it would not be contrary to the intent of this chapter or to the purposes and

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City of Sunnyvale, CA § 19.06.040

ZONING

§ 19.06.050

objectives of the general plan. Such permission shall be granted only upon the condition that the owner of the property shall execute an agreement with the city, wherein the owner agrees to remove such building, structure, or other improvements, at the owner's own expense upon the acquisition by the city of an easement in and across the property for street purposes. The agreement shall include such other conditions as the city council deems reasonable to carry out any of the provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to, a time limitation and the requirement that the property owner post a surety bond in such amount as may be fixed by the city council guaranteeing faithful performance of the terms and conditions of the agreement, including the covenant to remove at the owner's own expense the building, structure, or other improvements.

(Prior zoning code § 19.64.050; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)

§ 19.06.050. Maps—Adopted—Designation.[1 ]

Official plan lines shall be clearly delineated on maps which, together with all data and information indicated thereon, shall upon adoption by the planning commission and the city council, be made a part of this chapter. The maps are:

Arques Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Arques Avenue, Lawrence Station Road to Sunnyvale Avenue."

Arques Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Arques Avenue Between Point 603° West of Mathilda Avenue and Sunnyvale Avenue."

Ashcroft Way: "Official Plan Lines of Ashcroft Way between Barton Drive and Barton Drive."

Belfry Way: "Official Plan Lines for Belfry Way beginning at the east side of Sydney Drive 282 feet south of Fremont Avenue to east end of Belfry Way."

Bernardo Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for Bernardo Avenue between El Camino Real and Evelyn Avenue."

Borregas Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Borregas Avenue between Bayshore Highway and Mountain View-Alviso Road."

Britton Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Britton Avenue between Maude Avenue and Arques Avenue."

Central Expressway: "Official Plan Lines for Central Expressway, Mtn. View City Limits to Santa Clara City Limits."

Coolidge Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for Coolidge Avenue, Sunset Avenue to Pastoria Avenue."

Del Rey Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Del Rey Avenue between Pastoria Avenue and Macara Drive."

Duane Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for Duane Avenue, Fair Oaks Avenue to Lawrence Station Road."

Duane Avenue Connector: "Official Plan Lines for Duane Avenue Connector on the East Side

1. Editor's Note: The list of maps designated in this section was editorially added at the request of the city attorney.

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City of Sunnyvale, CA § 19.06.050

SUNNYVALE CODE

§ 19.06.050

of Lawrence Station Road."

Dunford Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Dunford Avenue between Quail Avenue and Marion Way."

El Camino Real: "Official Plan Lines of El Camino Real between a Point Approximately 1,300 Feet West of Bernar-do Avenue and a Point Approximately 160 Feet East of Helen Avenue."

Evelyn Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for Evelyn Avenue, Bernardo Avenue to Bayview Avenue."

Evelyn Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for Evelyn Avenue between Bayview Avenue and Reed Avenue except portion between Fair Oaks Avenue and Pacific Gas and Electric Right-of-Way."

Fair Oaks Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Fair Oaks Avenue between Bayshore Highway and Mountain View-Alviso Road."

Fair Oaks Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Fair Oaks Avenue between Bayshore Highway and Persian Drive."

Fair Oaks Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Fair Oaks Avenue between Duane Avenue and Ahwanee Avenue."

Fair Oaks Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for Fair Oaks Avenue, Kifer Road to Lincoln Avenue."

Fair Oaks Avenue-Wolfe Road Connection: "Official Plan Lines of Fair Oaks Avenue-Wolfe Road Connection between Duane Avenue and Britton Avenue."

Fair Oaks Avenue-Wolfe Road Connection: "Official Plan Lines of Fair Oaks Avenue-Wolfe Road Connection between Stewart Drive and Fair Oaks Avenues."

Fontana Drive: "Official Plan Lines of Fontana Drive between DeGuigne Drive and San Xavier Avenue."

Foxtail Drive: "Official Plan Lines of Foxtail Drive between Future Iris Avenue and Golden Oak Drive."

Fremont Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for Fremont Avenue, Stevens Creek to El Camino Real."

Gail Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Gail Avenue between Iris Avenue and Old San Francisco Road."

Hollenbeck Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for Hollenbeck Avenue, Homestead Road to El Camino Real."

Homestead Road: "Official Plan Lines for Homestead Road, Lawrence Station Road to Stevens Creek."

Homestead Road: "Official Plan Lines of Homestead Road between Mary Avenue and Calabazas Creek."

Iowa Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for Iowa Avenue, Mathilda Avenue to Carroll Street."

Iris Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Iris Avenue between Fair Oaks and Golden Oak Drive."

Kifer Road: "Official Plan Lines for Kifer Road between Lawrence Expressway and the Most

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City of Sunnyvale, CA § 19.06.050

ZONING

§ 19.06.050

Easterly City Limits."

Kifer Road: "Official Plan Lines for Kifer Road, Fair Oaks to Lawrence Station Road."

Lawrence Station Road: "Official Plan Lines for Lawrence Station Road, Mtn. View-Alviso Road to the Southerly Line of a Subdivision Located on the Southwest Corner of Jackson Avenue and Lawrence Station Road."

Lincoln Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for Lincoln Avenue, Bayview Avenue to Reed Lane, Except Portion between Fair Oaks Avenue and Pacific Gas and Electric Company Right-ofWay."

Lincoln Avenue Extension: "Official Plan Lines for Extension of Lincoln Avenue from Fair Oaks Avenue to Pacific Gas and Electric Company Right-of-Way."

Londonderry Drive: "Official Plan Lines of Londonderry Drive between Heron Avenue and a Point Approximately 1200 feet Westerly of Heron Avenue."

Londonderry Drive: "Official Plan Lines for Londonderry Drive, Martin Avenue to a Point Approximately 72 feet East of Center Line of Longspur Avenue."

Mary Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for Mary Avenue, Homestead Road to Washington Avenue."

Mary Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Mary Avenue between Washington Avenue and a Point 766 feet North of Evelyn Avenue."

Mathilda Avenue: The Official Plan Lines for Mathilda Avenue are divided into two segments:

  • (a) Mathilda Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for that portion of Mathilda Avenue between El Camino Real and Washington Avenue" superseding the former Official Plan Line for that portion adopted by Ordinance 856 in 1960; and

  • (b) Mathilda Avenue: Official Plan Lines for that portion of Mathilda Avenue between Washington Avenue and the Most Northerly City Limits, as established in "Official Plan Lines for that portion of State Route No. 114 Within the City Limits of Sunnyvale (known as Mathilda Avenue), El Camino Real (U.S. 101) to the Most Northerly City Limits."

Maude Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for Maude Avenue, Mathilda Avenue (State Route 114) to the Most Westerly City Limits."

Morse Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Morse Avenue between Morse Court and Ahwanee Avenue."

New Brunswick Drive: "Official Plan Lines of New Brunswick Drive between Homestead Road and a Point 1449 feet North of Homestead Road."

Old San Francisco Road: "Official Plan Lines of Old San Francisco Road between Sunnyvale Avenue and Wolfe Road."

Olive Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Olive Avenue between Pastoria Avenue and Mary Avenue."

Ontario Court: "Official Plan Lines for the Southwest Segment of the Ontario Court Cul-de-Sac."

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City of Sunnyvale, CA

SUNNYVALE CODE

§ 19.06.050

§ 19.06.060

Reed Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Reed Avenue between Wolfe Road and Lawrence Expressway."

Remington Drive - Fair Oaks Avenue: "Official Plan Lines of Remington Drive-Fair Oaks Avenue between Stevens Creek and Bayshore Highway."

Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road: "Official Plan Lines of Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road between El Camino Real and the Most Southerly Sunnyvale City Limits."

San Xavier Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for San Xavier Avenue, Duane Avenue Plan Lines to a Point Approximately 1136 Feet North of the Centerline of Arques Avenue."

Tasman Drive: "Official Plan Lines of Tasman Drive between Morse Avenue and the Calabazas Drainage Channel."

Taylor Avenue: "Official Plan Lines for Taylor Avenue between Fair Oaks Avenue and Britton Avenue."

Wolfe Road: "Official Plan Lines for Wolfe Road, Homestead Road to Old San Francisco Road."

Wolfe Road: "Official Plan Lines for Wolfe Road, Reed Lane to Arques Avenue."

Wolfe Road: "Official Plan Lines of Wolfe Road between Kifer Road and Britton Avenue, and between Reed Avenue and the Northerly Boundary of Tract Number 3192."

Wolfe Road: "Official Plan Lines of Wolfe Road between Kifer Road and Reed Avenue."

Wolfe Road Extension: "Official Plan Lines for Wolfe Road Extension, Arques Avenue to De Guigne Drive."

(Prior zoning code § 19.64.060; Ord. 2623-99 § 1; Ord. 3063-15 § 1)

§ 19.06.060. Maps—Identification and certification.

Each map adopted pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be designated:

OFFICIAL PLAN LINES OF (here shall be inserted the name of the street or highway) BETWEEN (here shall be inserted the names of the streets or other appropriate places which identify the points of commencement and ending of the particular official plan lines).

Each map shall have the following certificates which may either be placed directly on the map or attached to it:

I hereby certify that this map (or, the map attached), consisting of __ sheets, constitutes a precise plan based on the Land Use and Transportation Element of the General Plan for the City of Sunnyvale, which precise plan was recommended for adoption by Resolution No. _____ of the Planning Commission of the City of Sunnyvale on _____.


Secretary of the Planning Commission

I hereby certify that this map (or, the map attached), consisting of _____ sheets, is an addition to Section 19.06.040 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code, adopted as Ordinance No. _____by the City Council of the City of Sunnyvale on _____.

___________________________________ City Clerk of the City of Sunnyvale

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City of Sunnyvale, CA § 19.06.060

ZONING

§ 19.06.070

(Prior zoning code § 19.64.070; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)

§ 19.06.070. Maps—Filing.

The city clerk shall cause all maps adopted pursuant to this chapter, together with all data and information indicated thereon, to be filed in the office of the county recorder of the county of Santa Clara.

(Prior zoning code § 19.64.080; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)

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City of Sunnyvale, CA

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Contents — Sunnyvale Zoning Code
Sunnyvale Zoning Code
  1. Title 19
    Overview
    1. Article 2 — DEFINITIONS
    2. Chapter 19.39 — GREEN BUILDING REGULATIONS
    3. Chapter 19.56 — ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS
    4. Chapter 19.58 — FAMILY DAYCARE HOMES
    5. Chapter 19.88 — USE PERMITS
    6. Chapter 19.02 — ADOPTION AND PURPOSE
    7. Chapter 19.04 — GENERAL PLAN
    8. Chapter 19.06 — OFFICIAL PLAN LINES
    9. Chapter 19.12 — DEFINITIONS
    10. Chapter 19.16
    11. Chapter 19.18 — RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
    12. Chapter 19.20 — COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
    13. Chapter 19.22 — INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
    14. Chapter 19.24 — OFFICE AND PUBLIC FACILITIES ZONING DISTRICTS
    15. Chapter 19.26 — COMBINING DISTRICTS
    16. Chapter 19.27 — SITE AND PROJECT-BASED SPECIFIC PLAN DISTRICTS
    17. Chapter 19.28 — DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN DISTRICT
    18. Chapter 19.29 — MOFFETT PARK SPECIFIC PLAN DISTRICT
    19. Chapter 19.30 — LOT AREA AND LOT WIDTH
    20. Chapter 19.32 — BUILDING HEIGHTS, LOT COVERAGES AND FLOOR AREA…
    21. Chapter 19.34 — FRONT, SIDE AND REAR YARDS
    22. Chapter 19.35 — LAWRENCE STATION AREA PLAN DISTRICT
    23. Chapter 19.36 — EL CAMINO REAL SPECIFIC PLAN DISTRICT
    24. Chapter 19.37
    25. Chapter 19.38 — REQUIRED FACILITIES
    26. Chapter 19.39 — GREEN BUILDING REGULATIONS
    27. Chapter 19.40 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
    28. Chapter 19.42 — OPERATING STANDARDS
    29. Chapter 19.44 — SIGN CODE
    30. Chapter 19.45 — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
    31. Chapter 19.46 — PARKING
    32. Chapter 19.47 — OFF-SITE STADIUM EVENT PARKING
    33. Chapter 19.48 — FENCES, DISTANCES BETWEEN BUILDINGS AND EXTENS…
    34. Chapter 19.50 — NONCONFORMING BUILDINGS AND USES
    35. Chapter 19.52 — ART IN PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT
    36. Chapter 19.54 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES
    37. Chapter 19.56 — ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS
    38. Chapter 19.58 — FAMILY DAYCARE HOMES
    39. Chapter 19.60 — ADULT BUSINESSES AND MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
    40. Chapter 19.61 — TEMPORARY UNENCLOSED USES
    41. Chapter 19.64
    42. Chapter 19.65 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION PROCEDURES
    43. Chapter 19.66 — SAFE PARKING SITE
    44. Chapter 19.67 — INCLUSIONARY BELOW MARKET RATE OWNERSHIP HOUSI…
    45. Chapter 19.68 — MOBILE, ACCESSORY, AND SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY L…
    46. Chapter 19.69 — EXISTING BELOW MARKET RATE RENTAL HOUSING
    47. Chapter 19.70 — CONVERSION OF RENTAL HOUSING TO COMMUNITY HOUS…
    48. Chapter 19.71 — RESIDENTIAL TENANT PROTECTIONS PROGRAMS
    49. Chapter 19.72 — MOBILE HOME PARK CONVERSIONS
    50. Chapter 19.73 — BY-RIGHT APPROVAL
    51. Chapter 19.74 — PARK DEDICATION FEES FOR RENTAL HOUSING PROJECTS
    52. Chapter 19.75 — HOUSING IMPACT FEES
    53. Chapter 19.76 — SHORT-TERM RENTAL OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
    54. Chapter 19.77 — INCLUSIONARY BELOW MARKET RATE RENTAL HOUSING
    55. Chapter 19.78 — DUAL URBAN OPPORTUNITY HOUSING
    56. Chapter 19.79 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
    57. Chapter 19.80 — DESIGN REVIEW
    58. Chapter 19.81 — STREAMSIDE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
    59. Chapter 19.82 — MISCELLANEOUS PLAN PERMIT
    60. Chapter 19.84 — VARIANCES
    61. Chapter 19.88 — USE PERMITS
    62. Chapter 19.90 — SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
    63. Chapter 19.92 — GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING AMENDMENTS
    64. Chapter 19.94 — TREE PRESERVATION
    65. Chapter 19.96 — HERITAGE PRESERVATION
    66. Chapter 19.98 — GENERAL PROCEDURES

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