Sunnyvale · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in Sunnyvale
Sunnyvale sets its own limits on accessory structures and home businesses. Its fence rule covers the required reducible front yard, and accessory setbacks depend on height and floor area.
Key points
- Accessory structures: Sunnyvale limits accessory structures of 450 square feet or less to 15 feet in height.
- Home businesses: Sunnyvale limits a home business to 20% of the home or 400 square feet, whichever is less, and 3 vehicles a day.
- Front yard fences: In a required reducible front yard, Sunnyvale allows fences up to 8 feet, but fences over 6 feet need extra setback or a permit.
Each rule below is marked Sunnyvale code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Fences and walls
| Front yard height |
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Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
Sunnyvale code Sunnyvale limits accessory structures of 450 square feet or less to 15 feet in height.
All 8 Sunnyvale rules on sheds, garages and other accessory structures, with the code text →
Running a business from home
Sunnyvale code Sunnyvale limits a home business to 20% of the home or 400 square feet, whichever is less, and 3 vehicles a day.
All 5 Sunnyvale rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Lot splits under SB 9
Sunnyvale code At least 40% of the original parcel's lot area. At least 1,200 square feet.
All 8 Sunnyvale rules on lot splits under SB 9, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| Solar permit process |
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Tree removal
Sunnyvale code Yes, a protected tree removal permit, filed at least 10 working days before removal. Yes, plus a landmark alteration permit.
Swimming pools
| Pool barrier |
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|---|---|
| Setback from property lines |
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Pets, chickens and bees
Sunnyvale code Up to 5 hives per lot. Hives at least 25 feet from side and rear lot lines and 100 feet from other homes, whichever is stricter.
All 7 Sunnyvale rules on pets, chickens and bees, with the code text →
Building in a flood zone
| Building in a floodway |
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|---|
Park and impact fees for new homes
| Exemptions |
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|---|---|
| How the park fee is set |
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Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
Sunnyvale code The fee is 7 percent of the contract sales price of all units in the project. Projects of 7 or more ownership units must submit a BMR compliance plan with the first application.
All 5 Sunnyvale rules on affordable units in new housing (inclusionary), with the code text →
Group homes and residential care
Sunnyvale code A use permit is required. A use permit is required.
All 8 Sunnyvale rules on group homes and residential care, with the code text →
Parking spaces required for homes
Sunnyvale code Up to 50 percent of the front yard may be used for vehicle parking. Required assigned parking spaces must be covered.
All 15 Sunnyvale rules on parking spaces required for homes, with the code text →
Home alarm permits and false alarms
Sunnyvale code Fees are set by city council resolution and may be progressively higher for each false alarm. Fees may start with the third false alarm in any 365-day period. Police and fire alarms count separately.
All 3 Sunnyvale rules on home alarm permits and false alarms, with the code text →
Signs on homes
Sunnyvale code Up to 16 square feet total for all temporary signs on the premises. Up to 32 square feet total for all signs.
All 4 Sunnyvale rules on signs on homes, with the code text →
Trash and recycling carts
Sunnyvale code No later than six a.m. on the day after scheduled collection A container the collector did not empty may stay at the curb until collected, or up to 24 hours.
All 4 Sunnyvale rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other Sunnyvale rules on this
Sunnyvale's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Construction hours (§ 16.08.030)
- Noise limits near homes (§ 19.42.030)
- Outdoor loudspeakers at night (Ch. 9.48)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How tall can a fence be in Sunnyvale?
In a required reducible front yard, Sunnyvale allows fences up to 8 feet, but fences over 6 feet need extra setback or a permit.
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in Sunnyvale?
Sunnyvale's code: Lot coverage or floor area ratio may be exceeded by up to 1% with a miscellaneous plan permit. (Single-family homes whose solar gives at least 270 kWh a month, or solar hot water of at least 50 gallons.) (§ 19.56.150); Approved with all permits when complete and meeting the checklist; one inspection; apply in person or electronically. (Applies to small residential rooftop solar systems eligible for expedited review.) (§ 16.66.030).
What are the pool fence and setback rules in Sunnyvale?
Sunnyvale's code: Covers are required. (Applies to new pool or spa installations.) (§ 19.48.090); At least 3 feet from any property line or other structure. (Applies to pool and spa equipment.) (§ 19.48.090).
What are the rules for building in a Sunnyvale flood zone?
Sunnyvale's code: A licensed civil engineer's floodway analysis must show no increase in base flood elevations. (Development proposed in a floodway.) (§ 16.62.130).
What park or impact fees apply to a new home in Sunnyvale?
Sunnyvale's code: The fee is acres required per unit × (proposed units − existing units) × fair market value per acre. (§ 19.74.070).
Can I run a family child care home in Sunnyvale?
California law sets this for every city, including Sunnyvale: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
General information, not legal advice.
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