Chapter 19.02 — ADOPTION AND PURPOSE
Sunnyvale Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-07 · Sunnyvale
§ 19.02.010. Title. ¶
This title shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the "Uniform Planning and Zoning Code of the City of Sunnyvale."
(Prior zoning code § 19.02.010; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)
§ 19.02.020. Adoption—Charter authority. ¶
This title is adopted pursuant to the powers of the city of Sunnyvale as a charter city as provided in Article IV of the City Charter, and as authorized by Section 6 of Article XI of the Constitution of the State of California.
(Prior zoning code § 19.02.020; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)
§ 19.02.030. Purpose. ¶
It is the purpose of the provisions of this title:
(a) To protect and promote the public health, safety, peace, comfort and general welfare;
(b) To establish the procedure for adoption of the general plan for the physical development of the city of Sunnyvale and land outside its corporate limits which may be included within the city of Sunnyvale at a future time, and adoption of specific plans, precise plans, including precise zoning plans, and amendments thereof;
(c) To create zoning districts and regulations applicable thereto, and to:
(1) Classify, regulate, restrict and segregate the uses of land and buildings,
(2) Regulate and restrict the location, height and bulk of buildings,
(3) Regulate the dimensions and areas of yards and other open spaces, and the density of population, and of commercial and industrial activities,
(4) Conserve the values of property, and protect the character and stability of residential, commercial and industrial areas, and promote the orderly and beneficial development of such areas,
(5) Provide adequate light, air, privacy and convenience of access to property, and lessen or avoid congestion in the public streets and highways,
(6) Divide the entire city of Sunnyvale into zoning districts of such number, shape, area, and of such different classes, according to the use of land and building and the intensity of such use as may be deemed best suited to carry out the purpose of this code,
(7) Prohibit uses, buildings or structures incompatible with the character of such zoning districts,
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City of Sunnyvale, CA § 19.02.030
ZONING
§ 19.02.030
(8) Prevent additions to and alterations or remodeling of existing buildings or structures in such a manner as to avoid the restrictions and limitations lawfully imposed hereunder,
(9) Protect against fire, noxious fumes and other hazards in the interest of public health, safety, peace, comfort and general welfare,
(10) Provide for the elimination of incompatible and nonconforming uses of land, buildings and structures which are adversely affecting the character and value of desirable development in each zoning district, and
(11) Define the powers and duties of the administrative officers and bodies as provided herein.
(Prior zoning code § 19.02.030; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)
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City of Sunnyvale, CA
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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — Sunnyvale Zoning Code
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▸ Title 19
Overview- Article 2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 19.39 — GREEN BUILDING REGULATIONS
- Chapter 19.56 — ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 19.58 — FAMILY DAYCARE HOMES
- Chapter 19.88 — USE PERMITS
- Chapter 19.02 — ADOPTION AND PURPOSE
- Chapter 19.04 — GENERAL PLAN
- Chapter 19.06 — OFFICIAL PLAN LINES
- Chapter 19.12 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 19.16
- 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…
- 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
- Chapter 19.37
- 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 EXTENS…
- 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 19.64
- Chapter 19.65 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION PROCEDURES
- Chapter 19.66 — SAFE PARKING SITE
- Chapter 19.67 — INCLUSIONARY BELOW MARKET RATE OWNERSHIP HOUSI…
- Chapter 19.68 — MOBILE, ACCESSORY, AND SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY L…
- Chapter 19.69 — EXISTING BELOW MARKET RATE RENTAL HOUSING
- Chapter 19.70 — CONVERSION OF RENTAL HOUSING TO COMMUNITY HOUS…
- 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
- 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