| Sunnyvale has a streamlined process for ADUs within the interior space of an existing/proposed home and detached ADUs under 800 sf. Streamlined process requires building permits only. See https://www.sunnyvale.ca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/1766/637883105208670000 for more details.
- Interior space of existing/proposed home: Building permits only
- Home additions: Planning approval (Miscellaneous Plan Permit) and Building Permit
- Detached (<800 sq ft): Building permits only
- Detached (800+ sq ft): Planning approval (Miscellaneous Plan Permit) and Building Permit
Unique Requirements & Common Errors: If the primary dwelling unit is low occupancy (2 bedrooms or fewer), then ADU will require increased sewer/water connection fees for standard occupancy (3 or more bedrooms)
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- Interior space of existing/proposed home: any lot with an existing Single Family dwelling
- Home additions: R0, R1, R1.5, R1.7/PD, R2, residential Downtown Specific Plan
- Detached (< 800 sq ft): any lot with an existing Single Family dwelling
- Detached (800+ sq ft): any lot with an existing Single Family dwelling in a residential or mixed use zoning district
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- Interior space of existing/proposed home: Max: None for ADUs, 500 sqft for JADUs
- Home additions: Max: 850 sqft if 1 bedroom, or 1,000 sqft if 2 or more bedrooms
- Detached (converted structure): Max: None
- Detached (newly built): Max: 850 sqft for 1 bedroom or 1,000 sq ft if 2 or more bedrooms
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- Lots with Existing/Proposed Single Family Dwelling: No more than one detached ADU and one interior JADU per lot
- Lots with Existing/Proposed Multifamily Dwelling: No more than two detached ADUs per lot. Lots with an existing multifamily dwelling may convert interior non-livable space into at least one ADU and up to 25% of the number of existing units in the multifamily structure prior to the addition of any ADUs
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- Interior space of existing/proposed home: For existing home, the height of the existing home; for ADUs within newly built homes, the allowable height for single family homes
- Home additions: 25 ft or the height of primary dwelling, whichever is lower
- Detached (<800 sq ft, converted structure): existing height
- Detached (<800 sq ft, newly built): 18’ if on a lot within ½ mile of major transit stop or high quality transit corridor; otherwise 16 ft
- Detached (800+ sq ft): 18 ft if on a lot within ½ mile of major transit stop or high quality transit corridor; otherwise 16 ft
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- Interior space of existing/proposed home: Existing setbacks
- Home additions: 4 ft
- Detached (<800 sqft, converted structure): sufficient for fire safety
- Detached (<800 sqft, newly built): 4 ft, or if replacing an existing structure with setbacks less than 4 ft the same as that structure
- Detached (800+ sqft): 4 ft
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Lot or Location Restrictions |
- Interior space of existing/proposed home: None
- Home additions: Subject to floor area ratio, lot coverage, and design requirements if subject to underlying zoning
- Detached (<800 sqft): None
- Detached (800+ sqft): Subject to floor area ratio, lot coverage, and design requirements if subject to underlying zoning
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- Interior space of existing/proposed home: Not required
- Home additions: Not required
- Detached (<800 sqft): Not required
- Detached (800+ sqft): Replacement of uncovered parking spaces required
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| Fire sprinklers are not required unless required in the primary dwelling
JADU Rules:
- Not allowed in detached structures
- Must be under 500 sq ft
- May be approved along with newly built detached ADUs up to 800 sq ft
- Owner occupancy required
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| Owner occupancy required for JADUs only
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| Generally, ADUs and JADUs cannot be rented for fewer than 30 days at a time
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Departments and Agencies Involved in Permitting | Planning, Building, Public Works, Fire Safety, Environmental Services
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- Subject to utility fees, unless ADU is an interior space within the existing home, or a conversion of an existing structure
- Exempt from City impact fees if less than 750 sqft
- Subject to school impact fees per school district
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Sample Fees From Recently Built Projects | |
