Sunnyvale ADU Guide (Updated)

City ADU Guides
Written By George Dy

A Comprehensive Guide to ADU Regulation and Zoning Policy in Sunnyvale, CA

Next Stop, Sunnyvale!

Over the last 20+ years, Sunnyvale has become the home to a wide spectrum of industries, famously including a some of Silicon Valley’s top tech corporations like Apple, Google, LinkedIn, and Walmart Labs. It’s no surprise that it has become Santa Clara County’s second most populous city, after San Jose, and home to workers that span a variety of industry.

With a growing share of renter households and the ever-increasing growth of big tech in the city, Sunnyvale has continued to look for innovative opportunities to expand the housing stock in its city while reducing the growing issue of housing cost burden on residents. As a response to the growing disparity in rental housing affordability and household incomes, ADUs have continued to grow in popularity by providing additional infill housing in already dense neighborhoods.

We are excited to bring our equally innovative Solo ADU Series to Sunnyvale to address the growing need for housing. Not only will our development practices reduce the neighborhood construction impact compared to conventional construction practices, but it will help cut production time on an average unit by 50%.

If you’re building or planning to build in Sunnyvale and can’t find the information you’re looking for in our permitting guide, you can visit Sunnyvale’s ADU support pages here:

General Notes on Sunnyvale ADU Regulation

  • Sunnyvale has currently updated it’s local planning requirements to reflect adjustments with compliance with the State ADU Mandate on January 2020

  • Recent 2019 updates to the California Building Code and California Residential Code are in effect

  • Bay Modular’s pre-approved Solo ADU Series is designed to meet the State ADU Mandate and is 100% compliant with the 2019 CBC/CRC

  • All Solo ADUs are pre-approved by the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD #1560585) and do not require any additional local plan check, inspection, or approval

  • All site preparation, foundation work, and utility upgrade & connection related to the installation of all Solo ADUs will still require local plan check, and inspection

  • Due to statewide updates to ADU regulations, it has never been easier or more affordable to build a permitted ADU

City of Sunnyvale: Planning & Building Contact Information

City of Sunnyvale, Planning & Building
456 W. Olive Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA, 94086
Phone: (408) 730-7444
Email: Contact Form

 

Detailed Sunnyvale City ADU Regulations & Guidelines

ADU Size Restrictions (Updated January 2020)

  • ADUs: Residential lots will be approved to build up to 800 square ft. for a one bedroom ADU or up to 1,000 square ft. for a two bedroom ADU, regardless of the underlying zoning standards of the property.

  • Junior ADUs: No more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within a single-family residence.

Lot Size Restrictions (Updated January 2020)

  • There is no minimum lot size for an ADU so long as a legal Single Family or Multi-Family Residence exists on the property.

Type of ADUs Allowed

  • Detached ADU, attached ADU, and junior ADUs are all approved (Solo ADU Series are detached ADUs)

  • ADUs may be new construction or conversion of existing space (e.g. garage)

  • Junior ADUs must be conversion of existing space (e.g. garage)

  • California Building Code (CBC) & California Residential Code (CRC) 2019 is in effect

Number of ADUs Allowed (Updated January 2020)

  • Except as otherwise permitted by this subdivision, one ADU is permitted per residential lot. Single family residential lots may be permitted up to one ADU and one junior ADU.

  • Multi-family buildings may add ADUs up to 25% of the existing unit space (example: 4-unit building would be allowed one ADU), or at least one (1) ADU.

Zoning Requirements (Updated January 2020)

According to state law, all residential zoning districts, including single-family and multi-family, are allowed to build ADUs.

  • Allowed Zones: R-0, R-1, R-2, and Residential DSP blocks.

Setback Requirements (Updated January 2020)

  • Setbacks for a detached new construction Accessory Dwelling Unit shall be no more than 4 ft from the rear and side lot lines.

Parking Requirements (Updated January 2020)

  • No new parking is required for a new ADU.

  • Replacement parking not required when existing garage is converted.

  • When ADU parking is provided, it must meet standards for development.

Fire Safety Requirements

  • Accessory dwelling units shall not be required to provide fire sprinklers unless required for the primary dwelling.

Architectural Requirements

  • Exterior materials, colors and appearance of accessory dwelling units shall match the primary structures on the same lot.

  • Interior conversions of existing space are not subject to this requirement.

Height Requirements

16 feet

Ownership (Updated January 2020)

Through 2025, owner occupancy requirements will not apply to new ADUs, per SB13. Owner may rent out both the ADU and primary residence.

Rental Restrictions

  • Rentals for fewer than 30 days are prohibited.

Utility Connections

  • The applicant may be required to install a new or separate utility connection directly between the accessory dwelling unit and the utility and may be subject to a connection fee or a capacity charge established by the city council that shall be proportionate to the burden of the proposed accessory dwelling unit, based upon either its size or the number of its plumbing fixtures, upon the water or sewer system. This fee or charge shall not exceed the reasonable cost of providing this service.

Fees

George Dy
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