Accessory Structures in Sunnyvale, CA (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Sunnyvale, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Sunnyvale allows accessory dwelling units on residential lots subject to detailed numeric standards in Section 19.79.040: a 150 square foot minimum, height caps of 16 to 18 feet detached or 25 feet attached, a two-story maximum, and zero required off-street parking.
Sunnyvale Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code § 19.79.040
(b) Minimum Area. The area of each accessory dwelling unit shall be at least 150 square feet. ... (k) Height. ... (1) Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit. The height of the unit as measured from the average finished grade within five feet of the structure shall not be more than the following: (A) 16 feet on a lot with an existing or proposed single-family dwelling or single-story multifamily dwell...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Sunnyvale requires the property owner to live on site whenever a junior accessory dwelling unit is created. Section 19.79.050(d)(7) makes owner-occupancy of either the JADU or the main house a recorded deed covenant before the building permit issues; standard ADUs carry no such requirement.
Sunnyvale Junior ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Significant RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code § 19.79.050(d)(7)
Owner-occupancy and Deed Restriction. Owner-occupancy is required in the single-family residence in which the junior accessory dwelling unit is located. Either the newly created junior accessory dwelling unit or the remaining portion of the single-family dwelling structure must be the bona fide principal residence of at least one legal owner of the lot, as evidenced at the time of building perm...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Sunnyvale bars any accessory dwelling unit approved on or after January 1, 2020 from ever being used as a short-term rental. Section 19.79.040(r) makes the ban a permanent condition of the ADU itself, cross-referenced against the short-term rental chapter regardless of who lives on the property.
Sunnyvale ADU Short-Term Rental Ban
Heavy RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code § 19.79.040(r)
Short-Term Rentals. An accessory dwelling unit approved on or after January 1, 2020, shall not be used as a short-term rental as regulated by Chapter 19.76 of this code.
Shed & Carport Rules
Accessory structures in Sunnyvale's single-family and duplex zoning districts cap out at 450 square feet each, with a hard citywide ceiling of 800 square feet total per lot, under Municipal Code Section 19.40.020. Structures over 450 square feet need a use permit, while smaller sheds and detached spaces follow a sliding scale of no-permit, minor-permit or use-permit review keyed to height and yard location.
Sunnyvale Accessory Structure Size and Setbacks
Some RestrictionsSunnyvale Municipal Code § 19.40.020(e)-(f); § 19.40.030
(e) Maximum Height. No accessory structure may exceed fifteen feet in height unless otherwise approved with a use permit. (f) Maximum Allowable Square Footage. Any single accessory structure or the total area of all accessory structures on a property shall not exceed four hundred fifty square feet unless otherwise approved by a use permit. In no event shall the total area of all accessory struc...
Garage Conversions
Converting a garage or carport in Sunnyvale to a non-parking use needs a miscellaneous plan permit and, outside the ADU exception, requires replacing every lost space with a new covered space that meets current standards under Section 19.46.050(e).
Garage Conversion Rules in Sunnyvale
Significant RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 19.46.050(e), Chapter 19.46 (Parking)
(e) Garage or Carport Conversion. As provided in Chapter 19.79 (Accessory Dwelling Units), replacement parking is not required when a garage or carport is converted to an accessory dwelling unit, or demolished for the purpose of constructing an accessory dwelling unit. Otherwise, conversion of a garage or carport to a non-parking use requires review through a miscellaneous plan permit, which sh...
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sunnyvale city rules.
Accessory Structures in Santa Clara County →