Title 19

Chapter 19.18 — RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS

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

§ 19.18.010. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to implement the goals and objectives of the general plan toward the provision of a wide range of residential opportunities and dwelling unit types to meet the needs of present and future residents of the city of all socio-economic groups. This chapter establishes permitted uses and identifies processes necessary to evaluate certain uses to determine suitability within residential zoning districts. (Ord. 2623-99 § 1)

§ 19.18.020. Residential zoning districts.

Residential zoning districts are reserved for the maximum allowable density specified in this section, expressed in number of dwelling units per acre, except as allowed under Section 19.18.025 (Density bonus). Other uses will be permitted which are compatible with the residential character of the zoning districts.

  • (a) The R-0 and R-1 low-density residential zoning districts are zoning districts reserved for the construction, use and occupancy of not more than seven dwelling units per acre.

  • (b) The R-1.5 low medium density residential zoning district is reserved for the construction, use and occupancy of not more than ten dwelling units per acre.

  • (c) The R-1.7/PD low medium density residential zoning district provides for construction use and occupancy of small-lot, residential development of not more than fourteen units per acre. R-1.7 shall always be combined with a planned development combining zoning district as provided for in Chapter 19.26.

  • (d) The R-2 low medium density residential zoning district is reserved for the construction, use and occupancy of not more than twelve dwelling units per acre.

  • (e) The R-3 medium density residential zoning district is reserved for the construction, use and occupancy of not more than twenty-four dwelling units per acre.

  • (f) The R-4 high density residential zoning district is reserved for the construction, use and occupancy of not more than thirty-six dwelling units per acre.

  • (g) The R-5 high density residential and office zoning district is reserved for the construction, use and occupancy of not more than forty-five dwelling units per acre alone or in combination with hotels or motels.

  • (h) The R-MH residential-mobile home zoning district is reserved for the construction, use and occupancy of mobile homes and other uses incidental to the operation of such parks. Such parks may not contain more than twelve dwelling units per acre of mobile home park area.

  • (Prior zoning code §§ 19.32.010(a), 19.32.015(a), 19.32.017(a), 19.32.020(a), 19.32.030(a), 19.32.040(a), 19.32.050(a), 19.32.060(a); Ord. 2623-99 § 1; Ord. 2976-12 § 10)

§ 19.18.025. Density bonus.

A density bonus above the maximum allowable density of a residential zoning district may be granted under California Government Code Sections65915 through 65918 and through other

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City of Sunnyvale, CA

SUNNYVALE CODE

§ 19.18.025

§ 19.18.030

development incentives adopted by the city council. An application for a density bonus and any associated incentives, concessions, waivers of development standards, or modified parking ratios shall be submitted with the application for a discretionary permit for the development. The director of community development may establish guidelines, forms, and submittal requirements for the filing, processing, and consideration of density bonus applications. (Ord. 2976-12 § 11; Ord. 3176-21 § 1)

§ 19.18.030. Permitted, conditionally permitted and prohibited uses in residential…

  • (a) Use Table. Table 19.18.030 sets forth those uses which are permitted, conditionally permitted, and prohibited in residential zoning districts, and the type of approval a use requires.

    • (1) Permitted (P). A use shown with "P" in the table is allowed subject to compliance with all applicable provisions of this title. If the proposed use includes new construction, changes to the exterior of a building or other site modification, design review is required in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 19.80, Design Review.

    • (2) Miscellaneous Plan Permit (MPP). A use shown with "MPP" in the table requires the approval of a miscellaneous plan permit, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 19.82, Miscellaneous Plan Permit. If there is an existing valid miscellaneous plan permit for the use, and no new construction or expansion is proposed, then such use may be conducted without requiring another miscellaneous plan permit.

    • (3) Use Permit and Special Development Permit (UP and SDP). A use shown with "UP" or "SDP" requires approval of a use permit or special development permit, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 19.88, Use Permit, or Chapter 19.90, Special Development Permit, whichever applies. If there is an existing valid use permit or special development permit for the use, and no new construction or expansion is proposed, then such use may be conducted without requiring another use permit or special development permit.

    • (4) Prohibited (N). A use shown with "N" in the table is prohibited.

    • (5) By-right housing developments on sites identified in Chapter 19.73 require approval of a ministerial miscellaneous plan permit in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 19.82, even if a Use Permit or Special Development Permit is listed in Table 19.18.030.

  • (b) Compliance. It is a violation of this chapter to:

    • (1) Engage in a use that is conditional without complying with the imposed conditions;

    • (2) Engage in a prohibited use;

    • (3) Engage in a use requiring a miscellaneous plan permit, use permit or special development permit without obtaining the required permit.

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City of Sunnyvale, CA

ZONING

§ 19.18.030

§ 19.18.030

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Table 19.18.030
Permitted, Conditionally Permitted and Prohibited Uses in Residential Zoning Districts
In the table, the letters and symbols are defined as follows:
P = Permitted use
MPP = Miscellaneous Plan Permit required
UP = Use Permit required
SDP = Special Development Permit required
N = Not permitted, prohibited
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RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS R-0/R-1 R-1.5 R-1.7/PD R-2 R-3 R-4 R-5 R-MH
1. Residential
A. Single-family dwellings P P SDP P UP UP UP P1
B. Single room occupancy (SRO) facilities N N N N N UP UP N
C. Two-family dwelling (duplex) N UP SDP P P P UP P1
D. Dual Urban Opportunity Housing MPP MPP MPP MPP N N N N
E. Multiple-family dwellings (3 to 50 units) N N N P P P P P
F. Multiple-family dwellings (over 50 units) N N N UP UP UP UP UP
G. Boarding for less than 3 persons P P P P P P P P
H. Facilities caring for 6 or fewer persons, as declared P P SDP P UP UP UP P
by state to be residential use
I. Residential mobilehome park site N N N N N N N P
2. Agricultural Uses
A. Agricultural homes, buildings and uses UP UP SDP UP UP UP UP UP
3. Education, Recreation and Places of Assembly
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City of Sunnyvale, CA

§ 19.18.030

SUNNYVALE CODE

§ 19.18.030

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RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS R-0/R-1 R-1.5 R-1.7/PD R-2 R-3 R-4 R-5 R-MH
A. Education – Recreation and Enrichment N N N N N N N N
B. Education – Primary and High School UP UP SDP UP UP UP UP UP
C. Education – Institution of Higher Learning N N N N N N N N
D. Recreational and Athletic Facilities N N N N N N N N
E. Places of Assembly – Business Serving N N N N N N N N
F. Places of Assembly – Community Serving UP UP SDP UP UP UP UP UP
G. Private Parks, Playgrounds and Recreation (not UP UP SDP UP UP UP UP UP
open to general public)
H. Public Parks and Playgrounds P P P P P P P P
I. Safe Parking Site See Chapter 19.66
4. Commercial Uses
A. Child care/adult day care center/nursery schools UP UP SDP UP UP UP UP P2
B. Cardrooms N N N N N N N N
C. Hotels or motels N N N N N N UP N
D. Rest homes UP UP N UP UP UP UP N
5. Accessory Uses
A. Accessory dwelling units See Ch. See Ch. See Ch. See Ch. See Ch. See Ch. See Ch. N
19.79 19.79 19.79 3 19.79 19.79 19.79
19.79
B. Accessory structures See See See Chapter See MPP5 MPP5 MPP5 MPP5
Chapter Chapter 19.40 Chapter
19.40 19.40 19.40
C. Retail, if incidental to other permitted uses and N N N N UP UP UP UP
combined with residential use
D. Storage or parking of commercial, industrial or N N N N N N N N
public utility vehicles
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City of Sunnyvale, CA

§ 19.18.030

ZONING

§ 19.18.030

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RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS R-0/R-1 R-1.5 R-1.7/PD R-2 R-3 R-4 R-5 R-MH
6. Temporary Uses
A. Residential sales office for new on-site housing MPP MPP MPP MPP MPP MPP MPP MPP
development
B. Construction yard MPP MPP MPP MPP MPP MPP MPP MPP2
7. Other Uses
A. Administrative, professional and medical offices, UP UP UP UP UP UP UP N
and medical clinics
B. Adult business establishments N N N N N N N N
C. Electric distribution substations UP UP SDP UP UP UP UP UP
D. Electric transmission substations N N N N N N N N
E. Massage establishment office or clinic N N N N N N N N
F. Public service buildings and accessory uses UP UP SDP UP UP UP UP UP
G. Public utility buildings and service facilities UP UP SDP UP UP UP UP UP
H. Recycling centers N N N N N N UP N
I. Storage of materials, supplies or equipment used for N N N N N N N N
nonresidential purposes
J. Storage of materials or equipment between the face N N N N N N N N
of the main building and a street unless fully
screened from view4
K. Any use which is obnoxious, offensive or creates a N N N N N N N N
nuisance
L. Automobile/ vehicle repair6 N N N N N N N N
M. Manufacture of biodiesel fuel N N N N N N N N
N. Payday lending establishment N N N N N N N N
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City of Sunnyvale, CA
§ 19.18.030
SUNNYVALE CODE
§ 19.18.030		 City of Sunnyvale, CA
§ 19.18.030
SUNNYVALE CODE
§ 19.18.030
Notes:
1 For use by owner and/or operator only.
2 For use by mobile home park occupants only.
3 Only as allowed by Chapter 19.79 in conjunction with an existing or proposed single-family dwelling or an existing multi-family dwelling structure.
4 Does not apply to vehicles which are currently licensed and operable. Screening must meet requirements of Chapter 19.46.
5 Required to comply with setback, height, and lot coverage requirements of underlying zone.
6 Automobile/vehicle repair may only be allowed pursuant to Section 19.18.050.

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City of Sunnyvale, CA § 19.18.030

ZONING

§ 19.18.050

(Prior zoning code §§ 19.32.010(b)(1)—(6), 19.32.015(b)(1)—(d)(5), 19.32.017(b)(1)—(d)(5), 19.32.020(b)(1)—(6), (7)(c), (1)—(d)(4), 19.32.030 (b)(1)—(d)(4), 19.32.040(b)(1)—(d)(5), 19.32.050 (b)(1)—(c)(3), 19.32.060(b)(1)—(d)(4); Ord. 2623-99 § 1; Ord. 2649-00 § 1; Ord. 2802-06 § 5; Ord. 2726-03 § 2; Ord. 2831-07 § 2; Ord. 2887-08 § 3; Ord. 2904-09 § 2; Ord. 2907-09 § 3; Ord. 2947-10 § 3; Ord. 2966-11 § 6; Ord. 3002-13 § 3; Ord. 3004-13 § 4; Ord. 3064-15 § 3; Ord. 3065-15 § 3; Ord. 3077-16 § 2; Ord. 3105-16 § 3; Ord. 3125-17 § 2; Ord. 3154-20 § 2; Ord. 3156-20 § 1; Ord. 3189-22 § 6; Ord. 3223-24, 2/6/2024; Ord. 3233-24, 11/ 19/2024)

§ 19.18.040. Use permit required for multiple ownership.

In the R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-MH zoning districts, a use permit is required for any community housing project, condominium, or other common interest development, as defined in Section 1351 of the Civil Code, including the conversion of any existing building(s) to a common interest development. Conversion of any building(s) to multiple ownership shall be in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 19.70, Conversion of Rental Housing to Community Housing Projects. (Prior zoning code § 19.32.018; Ord. 2623-99 § 1; Ord. 2966-11 § 7)

§ 19.18.050. Automobile/vehicle service and repair in residential zoning districts.

  • (a) Automobile/vehicle service and repair in residential areas may be allowed only if the following conditions are met:

    • (1) The automobile/vehicle service and repair is being conducted during daytime hours (seven a.m. to ten p.m.);

    • (2) All automobiles/vehicles must be registered to a bona fide resident of the property or immediate family members (parents, children or siblings of someone living in the home);

    • (3) No more than two vehicles may be serviced or repaired at the same time; and

    • (4) All major service and repair must be conducted within an enclosed structure.

  • (b) Vehicle painting, except for minor touch-ups, is prohibited at all times.

  • (c) All performance standards in the Sunnyvale Municipal Code or applicable state laws related to the prevention of nuisances must be observed for any major or minor automobile/ vehicle service and repair. Performance standards include, but are not limited to, the regulation of noise, odor, smoke and the disposal of hazardous materials such as oil and gas.

  • (d) Automobile/vehicle repair as a commercial use is prohibited at all times.

  • (Ord. 2831-07 § 3; Ord. 2888-09 § 1)

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City of Sunnyvale, CA