Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 19 — Zoning›Article 3 — ZONING DISTRICTS, USES AND RELATED DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
Sunnyvale Municipal Code Ch. 19.30 Lot Area and Lot Width
Sunnyvale Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Sunnyvale
Cite as: Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 19.30 · Text as of 2026-10-04
§ 19.30.010. Conformance required.¶
The minimum lot area and lot width of each lot in every zoning district shall conform with the areas and distances specified in the table of required lot area and lot width, unless increased, decreased or modified by special provisions. The minimum floor elevation of every building in any zoning district shall conform with the special provisions set forth herein. Lot areas are expressed in terms of square feet and lot widths in terms of lineal feet unless otherwise specified.
(Prior zoning code § 19.36.010; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)
§ 19.30.020. Required lot area and width.¶
Lot area and width shall be according to the provisions set forth in Table 19.30.020, except that all lots located within the DSP district shall conform to provisions set forth in Chapter 19.28.
Table 19.30.020 Required Net Lot Area and Width
| Zoning District | Lot Area Minimum (Square feet) | Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit (Square Feet) | Lot Width at Minimum Front Yard Setback Corner (Feet) | Lot Width at Minimum Front Yard Setback Interior (Feet) | Lot Width at Minimum Front Yard Setback Cul-de-sac 1 (Feet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R-0 | 6,000 | 6,000 | 62 | 57 | 45 |
| R-1 | 8,000 | 8,000 | 82 | 76 | 45 |
| R-1.5 | 4,200 | 4,200 | 45 | 42 | 40 |
| R-1.7/PD | 2 acres 2 | 2,600 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| R-2 7 | 8,000 | 3,600 | 82 | 76 | 60 |
| R-3 7, 8 | 8,000 | 1,800 | 82 | 120 | 60 |
| R-4 7, 8 | 8,000 | 1,200 | 82 | 120 | 60 |
| R-5 8 | 8,000 | 950 | 82 | 76 | 60 |
| R-MH | 9 Acres | 1,500 4 | None | None | None |
| R-MH | 9 Acres | 1,800 5 | None | None | None |
| O 6 | 8,000 | None | 82 | 76 | 60 |
| P-F | None | None | None | None | None |
| C-1 | None | None | None | None | None |
| C-2 | None | None | None | None | None |
| C-3 | None | None | None | None | None |
| C-4 | None | None | None | None | None |
| M-S | 22,500 | None | 100 | 100 | 80 |
| M-3 | 22,500 | None | 100 | 100 | 80 |
Notes:
| 1 | Also applicable to lots on the exterior side of a street with a centerline radius of four hundred feet or less. |
|---|---|
| 2 | Maximum lot area shall not exceed four thousand square feet. |
| 3 | As determined by planned development requirements. A minimum site area of 2.0 acres also required. |
| 4 | 1,500 square feet nonexpandable mobile home. |
| 5 | 1,800 square feet expandable mobile home. |
| 6 | Must be contiguous with similarly zoned land of at least 40,000 square feet (net). |
| 7 | Lot area and lot width less than the minimum required may be allowed through approval of a use permit or special development permit provided that overall density is consistent with the zoning district. |
| 8 | Number of dwelling units allowed for R-3, R-4 and R-5 is pursuant to Table 19.30.040. |
(Prior zoning code § 19.36.020; Ord. 2623-99 § 1; Ord. 2683-01 § 3; Ord. 2810-06 § 4; Ord. 2905-09 § 7)
§ 19.30.030. Average lot area—Reduction.¶
The minimum lot area in all residential zoning districts, except R-0, R-1.5 and R-1.7 zoning districts, may be reduced to seven thousand six hundred square feet providing the average lot area in each subdivision, subdivision unit or single development equals eight thousand eight hundred square feet. The area of any lot in excess of eight thousand four hun-dred square feet shall be disregarded in computing the average lot area within such subdivision, subdivision unit or single development.
(Prior zoning code § 19.36.030; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)
§ 19.30.040. Dwelling units allowed in multiple-family zoning districts.¶
Table 19.30.040 (Number of Dwelling Units Allowed R-3, R-4 and R-5 Zoning Districts) shows the number of dwell-ing units allowed per minimum lot area in multiple-family zoning districts. Additional dwelling units may be allowed under Section 19.18.025 (Density bonus).
Table 19.30.040 Number of Dwelling Units Allowed: R-3, R-4 and R-5 Zoning Districts
| Number of Units Allowed | Minimum Net Lot Area (square feet) Zoning District: | Minimum Net Lot Area (square feet) Zoning District: | Minimum Net Lot Area (square feet) Zoning District: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Units Allowed | R-3 | R-4 | R-5 |
| 1 | 6500 or less (legally created) | 6500 or less (legally created) | 6500 or less (legally created) |
| 2 | 6500 | 6500 | 6500 |
| 3 | 7200 | 7200 | 7200 |
| 4 | 8000 | 8000 | 8000 |
| 5 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 9000 | 9000 |
| 6 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 10000 | 10000 |
| 7 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 11000 | 11000 |
| 8 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 12000 | 12000 |
| 9 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 13000 | 13000 |
| 10 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 14000 | 14000 |
| 11 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 15000 | 15000 |
| 12 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 16000 | 16000 |
| 13 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 17000 | 17000 |
| 14 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 18000 | 18000 |
| 15 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 19000 | 19000 |
| 16 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 20000 | 20000 |
| 17 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 21000 | 21000 |
| 18 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 22000 | 22000 |
| 19 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 23000 | 23000 |
| 20 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 24000 | 24000 |
| 21 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 1200 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 950 sq. ft. |
| 22 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 1200 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 950 sq. ft. |
| 23 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 1200 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 950 sq. ft. |
| 24 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 1200 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 950 sq. ft. |
| 25 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 1200 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 950 sq. ft. |
| 26 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 1200 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 950 sq. ft. |
| 27 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 1200 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 950 sq. ft. |
| 28 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 1200 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 950 sq. ft. |
| 29 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 1200 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 950 sq. ft. |
| 30 | 1 unit for each 1800 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 1200 sq. ft. | 1 unit for each 950 sq. ft. |
(Prior zoning code § 19.36.035; Ord. 2976-12 § 1; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)
§ 19.30.050. Multiple buildings on lot—When permitted.¶
Any lot or parcel of land in one ownership having an area sufficient for more than one commercial, industrial, or mul-tiple family dwelling or building may be so used and building permits may be issued for multiple buildings in every zoning district, except single family zoning districts where only accessory structures are allowed.
(Prior zoning code § 19.36.050; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)
§ 19.30.060. Minimum floor elevations.¶
The minimum floor elevation for any building in any zoning district, computed on city datum, shall be four and one-half feet. Provided, however, that when the floor elevation of any building is less than nine feet, all waste from sanitary facilities installed at an elevation of less than nine feet shall flow by gravity to an approved sump and then be pumped to a minimum elevation of nine feet for discharge by gravity to the sanitary system.
(Prior zoning code § 19.36.070; Ord. 2623-99 § 1)
Explained in plain English
Sunnyvale guides that cite this page.
Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.
Ask AI about this code