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unincorporated

Sunnyvale

Santa Clara County

D
Grade
very friendly
very friendly
friendly
friendly
restrictive
very restrictive
We've given Sunnyvale a D for its very restrictive approach to the implementation of SB 9, which includes excessive regulations.
Last Updated: 
May 15, 2023
If you feel this grade was given incorrectly, please contact us.
What's SB 9?
SB 9 is a state bill that was created to address California's housing crisis. It allows Californians more flexibility with their urban property than they've ever had before.

What can I build?

You have three options for an SB 9 project

Option 1: Lot Split

Divide your lot into two parcels; building on the new lot is allowed
Your lot must be at least 2,400 sqft and can be divided 50/50 or 60/40
sb 9 standard

Option 2: Two-Units

Keep your parcel as is, and add 
up to 2 units total + ADUs & JADUs allowed by zoning standards
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive

Option 3: Lot Split & Two-Units

A mix of the above: divide your parcel, and add
up to 4 units total
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive
Building max size
In
Sunnyvale
, new units can be up to
 sq ft. This is half the size of the median single family home in California.
very restrictive
California median home size
1,700 sq ft
Sunnyvale
SB 9 Limit
sq ft
sq ft

Where can I build?

You can build in single-family residential zones
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive

Places where you can't build

Prime farmland
sb 9 standard
Hazardous waste sites
sb 9 standard
High & very high fire severity zones
sb 9 standard
Lands identified for conservation of protected species' habitat
sb 9 standard
Vacant Lots*
very restrictive
Historical Zones
sb 9 standard

May require additional permits

Earthquake fault lines
sb 9 standard
Areas of high landslide and liquefaction risk
sb 9 standard
FEMA 1% annual chance flood (100-year flood) zones and floodways
sb 9 standard
Coastal areas
sb 9 standard
very restrictive

Building that can't be demolished

Officially recognized low-income housing
sb 9 standard
Rent-controlled housing
sb 9 standard
Housing that has been occupied by a tenant in the last 3 years
sb 9 standard

Renting & Selling

For all development options, resulting units must be residential use only
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive

Renting Requirements

Minimum rental period is 
30
 days
sb 9 standard
There is no income requirement for tenants
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive
For Lot Splits, one unit must be owner occupied for three years
sb 9 standard
For Two-Unit Projects, 
all units can be rented
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive

Selling Requirements

For Lot Splits, one unit must be owner occupied for three years
sb 9 standard
For Two-Unit Projects, 
units can be sold separately
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive

Additional Requirements

Here are a few more restrictions and requirements that you should keep in mind when pursuing an SB 9 project in 
Sunnyvale
Parking req.
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive
Objective Design Review Standards
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive
Landscaping
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive
Fire Safety
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive
Utility req.
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive
Easements req.
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive
Height limits
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive
Bureaucracy
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive
Fees
very friendly
friendly
sb 9 standard
restrictive
very restrictive
Want to learn more about Homestead’s grading system? Read our methodology.
More about 
Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale is a great place for families and young professionals. People who call this San José suburb their home love the area for its exceptional public schools, vibrant downtown nightlife, beautiful hiking trails, and friendly small-town feel. Visitors enjoy shopping and listening to music at the weekend farmer’s market, exploring the Bay Trail, and admiring the 100+ public art installations throughout the city. Mike most of Santa Clara County, Sunnyvale is a very expensive place to live. SB 9 urban lot splits and duplexes can help by offering more affordable alternatives to large homes on sprawling lots.

You're a step ahead of us!

We have not prepared a City Guide for
Sunnyvale
 yet.
If you would like to request a City Guide for
Sunnyvale
or have information to share about their SB 9 implementation, please do so here.

See if your property qualifies for SB 9.

Check SB 9 Eligibility

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Properties searched
map pin of possible sb 9 location

1423 Stanford Dr

  • Zoned for residential
  • In a flood zone
  • Not in a fault zone
  • Not in a high fire zone
  • Zoned for SB 9