Earlier editions: 2026-09
Municipal code
Sunnyvale Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of Sunnyvale, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Last updated
- 2026-10-04
- Contents
- 21 titles · 3,144 sections
- Jurisdiction
- Sunnyvale
Contents
▸Title CHA — Charter of the City of Sunnyvale
Overview- Article I — Name of City
- Article II — Boundaries
- Article III — Succession
- Article IV — Powers of the City
- Article V — Form of Government
- Article VI — The Council
- Article VII — Ordinances and Legal Notices
- Article VIII — City Manager
- Article IX — Officers and Employees
- Article X — Appointive Boards and Commissions
- Article XI — Civil Service
- Article XII — Retirement
- Article XIII — Fiscal Administration
- Article XIV — Elections
- Article XVI — Franchises
- Article XVIII — Miscellaneous
▸Title 2 — Administration and Personnel
Overview- Chapter 2.04 — DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY
- Chapter 2.07 — PURCHASE, SALE OR LEASE OF REAL PROPERTY
- Chapter 2.08 — PURCHASES OF GOODS AND SERVICES
- Chapter 2.09 — PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTING
- Chapter 2.10 — PUBLICATION OF LEGAL NOTICES
- Chapter 2.12 — OFFICIAL BONDS
- Chapter 2.16 — EMERGENCY ORGANIZATION AND FUNCTIONS
- Chapter 2.20 — HEALTH OFFICER
- Chapter 2.24 — EMPLOYER-EMPLOYEE RELATIONS CODE
- Chapter 2.28 — ELECTIONS
- Chapter 2.29 — ELECTRONIC FILING
- Chapter 2.30 — APPOINTMENT PROCESS TO FILL VACANCIES ON THE CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.31 — REDISTRICTING
▸Title 3 — Revenue and Finance
Overview- Chapter 3.04 — SALES AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.08 — REAL PROPERTY TRANSFER TAX
- Chapter 3.12 — UTILITY USERS TAX
- Chapter 3.16 — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
- Chapter 3.24 — SPECIAL GAS TAX STREET IMPROVEMENT FUND
- Chapter 3.36 — CONSTRUCTION TAX
- Chapter 3.50 — TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE
- Chapter 3.52 — LAWRENCE STATION AREA PLAN TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE
- Chapter 3.54 — EL CAMINO REAL SPECIFIC PLAN TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE
- Chapter 3.56 — MOFFETT PARK SPECIFIC PLAN TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE
- Chapter 3.60 — DOWNTOWN SUNNYVALE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
- Chapter 3.70 — SUNNYVALE MUNICIPAL UTILITIES REVENUE BOND LAW
- Chapter 3.80 — MINIMUM WAGE
▸Title 5 — Business Licenses and Regulations
Overview- Chapter 5.04 — BUSINESS LICENSE TAX
- Chapter 5.12 — AMBULANCES
- Chapter 5.16 — AUCTIONS
- Chapter 5.20 — ITINERANT MERCHANTS
- Chapter 5.24 — JUKE BOXES, CIGARETTE MACHINES AND OTHER AMUSEMENT DEVICES
- Chapter 5.26 — VENDING
- Chapter 5.28 — PEDDLERS
- Chapter 5.32 — PRIVATE PATROL SERVICE
- Chapter 5.36 — TAXICABS
- Chapter 5.38 — PLASTIC CARRYOUT BAGS
- Chapter 5.39 — ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE FOOD CONTAINERS AND SERVICE WARE
- Chapter 5.40 — CATV SYSTEMS—FRANCHISE PROCEDURE CODE
- Chapter 5.44 — CATV SYSTEMS—STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS
- Chapter 5.46 — CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE ORDINANCE
- Chapter 5.48 — STATE VIDEO FRANCHISES
▸Title 6 — Animals
Overview- Chapter 6.01 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 6.02 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
- Chapter 6.03 — SALE OF ANIMALS
- Chapter 6.04 — DOGS
- Chapter 6.05 — IMPOUNDMENT OF ANIMALS
- Chapter 6.06 — DANGEROUS OR DISEASED ANIMALS
- Chapter 6.07 — ANIMAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND FACILITIES
- Chapter 6.08 — BEEKEEPING STANDARDS
- Chapter 6.09 — SMALL ANIMALS AND LIVESTOCK
- Chapter 6.10 — ENFORCEMENT, VIOLATIONS, PENALTIES
▸Title 9 — Public Peace, Safety or Welfare
Overview- Chapter 9.24 — PUBLIC PEACE, SAFETY OR WELFARE
- Chapter 9.26 — ABATEMENT OF NUISANCES
- Chapter 9.28 — REGULATION OF SMOKING AND FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS
- Chapter 9.29 — NITROUS OXIDE
- Chapter 9.30 — SHOPPING CART CONTAINMENT
- Chapter 9.32 — GAMBLING MACHINES AND COIN OPERATED DEVICES
- Chapter 9.36 — POOL AND BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS—GAMBLING
- Chapter 9.37 — BINGO GAMES
- Chapter 9.38 — UNLAWFUL EXPOSURE OF PRIVATE PARTS OR FEMALE BREASTS
- Chapter 9.40 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS—LICENSES
- Chapter 9.41 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS AND PROFESSIONALS
- Chapter 9.42 — NEWS RACKS
- Chapter 9.43 — FIREARMS SALES
- Chapter 9.44 — FIREARMS
- Chapter 9.45 — SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS
- Chapter 9.46 — PUBLIC DANCES
- Chapter 9.47 — EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICE LIABILITY
- Chapter 9.48 — LOUDSPEAKERS
- Chapter 9.50 — JUVENILE ALCOHOL PARTIES
- Chapter 9.52 — UNAUTHORIZED PRESENCE IN PRIVATE PARKING LOTS
- Chapter 9.56 — SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYMENT, BUSINESS OR CONTRIBUTIONS OF MONEY OR OTHER PROPERTY
- Chapter 9.58 — SIGNS ON CITY PROPERTY
- Chapter 9.60 — ADVERTISING AND PRINTED MATTER
- Chapter 9.62 — PUBLIC PARKS
- Chapter 9.63 — CAMPING AND STORAGE OF PROPERTY IN PUBLIC AREAS
- Chapter 9.64 — MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES
- Chapter 9.66 — ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
- Chapter 9.72 — DISCRIMINATION AGAINST FAMILIES WITH MINOR CHILDREN IN HOUSING
- Chapter 9.76 — PROHIBITION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION BASED ON ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME…
- Chapter 9.84 — MINORS IN POOL AND BILLIARD HALLS
- Chapter 9.86 — MARIJUANA
- Chapter 9.88 — SALE AND DISPLAY OF NARCOTIC AND OTHER PARAPHERNALIA
- Chapter 9.90 — ALARM SYSTEMS
- Chapter 9.94 — PUBLIC ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
▸Title 10 — Vehicles and Traffic
Overview- Chapter 10.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 10.08 — TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
- Chapter 10.12 — DRIVING REGULATIONS
- Chapter 10.16 — PARKING REGULATIONS
- Chapter 10.20 — PARKING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 10.24 — PROHIBITED AND LIMITED PARKING
- Chapter 10.26 — PREFERENTIAL PARKING ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS
- Chapter 10.28 — SPEED LIMITS
- Chapter 10.30 — CRUISING
- Chapter 10.32 — THROUGH STREETS, STOP AND YIELD INTERSECTIONS
- Chapter 10.36 — LOADING AND SPECIAL ZONES
- Chapter 10.40 — TRUCK ROUTES
- Chapter 10.44 — FREEWAY ACCESS
- Chapter 10.48 — TRAINS AND RAILROAD CROSSINGS
- Chapter 10.52 — PEDESTRIANS AND CROSSWALKS
- Chapter 10.56 — BICYCLES
- Chapter 10.60 — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
- Chapter 10.62 — EXHIBITION OF SPEED AND CONTESTS
- Chapter 10.66 — PEDESTRIAN MALL ON SOUTH MURPHY AVENUE
▸Title 12 — Water and Sewers
Overview- Chapter 12.04 — SEWERAGE SYSTEM
- Chapter 12.08 — SEWER CONNECTIONS
- Chapter 12.12 — SEWER USE REGULATIONS
- Chapter 12.16 — WASTEWATER CHARGES AND FEES
- Chapter 12.18 — ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 12.20 — WATER DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 12.24 — WATER SYSTEM REGULATIONS
- Chapter 12.28 — CROSS-CONNECTIONS AND BACKFLOW PROTECTION
- Chapter 12.34 — WATER CONSERVATION RESTRICTIONS
- Chapter 12.36 — AGREEMENT FOR FURNISHING WATER
- Chapter 12.40 — WASTEWATER CAPACITY ALLOCATION
- Chapter 12.50 — PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING DELINQUENT UTILITIES ACCOUNTS
- Chapter 12.60 — STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
▸Title 13 — Streets and Sidewalks
▸Title 14 — Improvement Procedure Code
Overview- Chapter 14.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 14.08 — GENERAL PROCEDURE
- Chapter 14.12 — CURATION
- Chapter 14.16 — LIEN
- Chapter 14.20 — ACQUISITION AND IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE
- Chapter 14.24 — ASSESSMENT BOND PROCEDURE
- Chapter 14.25 — MAINTENANCE DISTRICTS
- Chapter 14.26 — ALTERNATE MAINTENANCE DISTRICTS
- Chapter 14.28 — MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT REVENUE BOND LAW
▸Title 16 — Buildings and Construction
Overview- Chapter 16.08 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
- Chapter 16.10 — SAFETY ASSESSMENT PLACARDS
- Chapter 16.16 — BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 16.17 — RESIDENTIAL CODE
- Chapter 16.18 — EXISTING BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 16.24 — PLUMBING CODE
- Chapter 16.28 — MECHANICAL CODE
- Chapter 16.32 — ELECTRICAL CODE
- Chapter 16.34 — HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 16.42 — ENERGY CODE
- Chapter 16.43 — GREEN BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 16.46 — SOLAR HEATING
- Chapter 16.50 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
- Chapter 16.52 — FIRE CODE
- Chapter 16.55 — WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE
▸Article 1 — Scope and Administration
- Article 2 — Definitions
- Article 3 — Flood Resistant Development
- Chapter 16.66 — EXPEDITED PERMIT PROCESS FOR SMALL ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEMS
- Chapter 16.70 — EXPEDITED PERMIT PROCESS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
- Chapter 16.72 — PERMIT PROCESS FOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
- Chapter 16.74 — CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DIVERSION
- Chapter 16.80 — RESPONSIBLE CONSTRUCTION
▸Title 18 — Subdivisions
Overview- Chapter 18.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 18.08 — REQUIRED IMPROVEMENTS
- Chapter 18.10 — PARKS AND OPEN SPACE DEDICATION
- Chapter 18.12 — DESIGN STANDARDS
- Chapter 18.16 — COST SHARING, CHARGES AND FEES
- Chapter 18.20 — MAPS
- Chapter 18.22 — VESTING TENTATIVE MAPS
- Chapter 18.24 — LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS
- Chapter 18.26 — URBAN LOT SPLITS
- Chapter 18.28 — REVERSION TO ACREAGE
- Chapter 18.30 — CORRECTION AND AMENDMENT OF MAPS
- Chapter 18.34 — MERGER OF PARCELS
- Chapter 18.38 — COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 18.40 — COVENANT OF EASEMENT
- Chapter 18.50 — SUMMARY VACATION OF PUBLIC SERVICE EASEMENTS
▸Title 19 — Zoning
Overview▸Article 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
▸Article 2 — DEFINITIONS
▸Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, USES AND RELATED DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
Overview- Chapter 19.16 — PRECISE ZONING PLANS—ZONING DISTRICTS—ZONING MAPS
- Chapter 19.18 — RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 19.20 — COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 19.22 — INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 19.24 — OFFICE AND PUBLIC FACILITIES ZONING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 19.26 — COMBINING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 19.27 — SITE AND PROJECT-BASED SPECIFIC PLAN DISTRICTS
- Chapter 19.28 — DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN DISTRICT
- Chapter 19.29 — MOFFETT PARK SPECIFIC PLAN DISTRICT
- Chapter 19.30 — LOT AREA AND LOT WIDTH
- Chapter 19.32 — BUILDING HEIGHTS, LOT COVERAGES AND FLOOR AREA RATIOS
- Chapter 19.34 — FRONT, SIDE AND REAR YARDS
- Chapter 19.35 — LAWRENCE STATION AREA PLAN DISTRICT
- Chapter 19.36 — EL CAMINO REAL SPECIFIC PLAN DISTRICT
▸Article 4 — GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Overview- Chapter 19.37 — LANDSCAPING, IRRIGATION AND USEABLE OPEN SPACE
- Chapter 19.38 — REQUIRED FACILITIES
- Chapter 19.39 — GREEN BUILDING REGULATIONS
- Chapter 19.40 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
- Chapter 19.42 — OPERATING STANDARDS
- Chapter 19.44 — SIGN CODE
- Chapter 19.45 — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
- Chapter 19.46 — PARKING
- Chapter 19.47 — OFF-SITE STADIUM EVENT PARKING
- Chapter 19.48 — FENCES, DISTANCES BETWEEN BUILDINGS AND EXTENSIONS INTO YARDS
- Chapter 19.50 — NONCONFORMING BUILDINGS AND USES
- Chapter 19.52 — ART IN PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT
- Chapter 19.54 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES
- Chapter 19.56 — ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 19.58 — FAMILY DAYCARE HOMES
- Chapter 19.60 — ADULT BUSINESSES AND MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 19.61 — TEMPORARY UNENCLOSED USES
- Chapter 19.62 — MARIJUANA
▸Article 5 — SPECIAL HOUSING ISSUES
Overview- Chapter 19.64 — RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES AND CONGREGATE RESIDENCES
- Chapter 19.65 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION PROCEDURES
- Chapter 19.66 — SAFE PARKING SITE
- Chapter 19.67 — INCLUSIONARY BELOW MARKET RATE OWNERSHIP HOUSING PROGRAM
- Chapter 19.68 — MOBILE, ACCESSORY, AND SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY LIVING UNITS
- Chapter 19.69 — EXISTING BELOW MARKET RATE RENTAL HOUSING
- Chapter 19.70 — CONVERSION OF RENTAL HOUSING TO COMMUNITY HOUSING PROJECTS
- Chapter 19.71 — RESIDENTIAL TENANT PROTECTIONS PROGRAMS
- Chapter 19.72 — MOBILE HOME PARK CONVERSIONS
- Chapter 19.73 — BY-RIGHT APPROVAL
- Chapter 19.74 — PARK DEDICATION FEES FOR RENTAL HOUSING PROJECTS
- Chapter 19.75 — HOUSING IMPACT FEES
- Chapter 19.76 — SHORT-TERM RENTAL OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
- Chapter 19.77 — INCLUSIONARY BELOW MARKET RATE RENTAL HOUSING
- Chapter 19.78 — DUAL URBAN OPPORTUNITY HOUSING
- Chapter 19.79 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
▸Article 6 — DISCRETIONARY PERMITS AND PROCEDURES
Overview- Chapter 19.80 — DESIGN REVIEW
- Chapter 19.81 — STREAMSIDE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
- Chapter 19.82 — MISCELLANEOUS PLAN PERMIT
- Chapter 19.84 — VARIANCES
- Chapter 19.88 — USE PERMITS
- Chapter 19.90 — SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
- Chapter 19.92 — GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING AMENDMENTS
- Chapter 19.94 — TREE PRESERVATION
- Chapter 19.96 — HERITAGE PRESERVATION
- Chapter 19.98 — GENERAL PROCEDURES
▸Title 20 — Hazardous Materials
- Title SR — Statutory References for California Cities
- Title CR — Cross-Reference Table
- Title CCR — Zoning Code Cross-Reference Table
- Title OL — Ordinance List and Disposition Table