Business Licensing & Operations in Sunnyvale, CA (2026)
3 verified business licensing & operations rules for Sunnyvale, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Sunnyvale requires every adult business to hold a license from the Director of Public Safety under SMC Chapter 9.40, and confines these uses to the M-S and M-3 zoning districts. SMC Chapter 19.60 bars an adult business within 1,000 feet of residential zoning, a church, a school or a park, and within 200 feet of any other adult business.
Sunnyvale Adult Business License & Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code §§ 9.40.040(a) (Adult business license required); 19.60.030(b) (Prohibition of certain uses from residential zoned property, churches, schools and parks)
(a) It is unlawful for any person to engage in, conduct, or carry on or permit to be engaged in, conducted or carried on, in or upon any premises within the city the operation of an adult business unless the person first obtains and continues to maintain in full force and effect a license issued by the director of public safety as required by this chapter. ... no lot or parcel or property in an...
Massage Establishments
Operating a massage establishment in Sunnyvale requires a permit from the Department of Public Safety, on top of the standard business license. Every massage therapist must hold current CAMTC certification, and owners face a background check, fingerprinting and a felony history review before a permit issues.
Massage Establishment Permits in Sunnyvale
Significant RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 9.41.080(a); Sec. 9.41.140(a)(1), Chapter 9.41 Massage Establishments and Professionals
It is unlawful for any person to operate a massage establishment within the city without first obtaining a massage establishment permit from the Department of Public Safety. ... No massage establishment shall be kept open for business between the hours of ten p.m. of one day and eight a.m. of the following day. A massage begun any time before ten p.m. must nevertheless terminate at ten p.m.
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Sunnyvale allows residents to service or repair their own vehicles at home only under tight limits set by Municipal Code Section 19.18.050: daytime hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., no more than two vehicles at once, all vehicles registered to a resident or immediate family, and major work done inside an enclosed structure. Commercial auto repair is banned outright in residential zones.
Sunnyvale Home Auto Repair Rules
Significant RestrictionsSunnyvale Municipal Code § 19.18.050(a)-(b), (d)
(a) Automobile/vehicle service and repair in residential areas may be allowed only if the following conditions are met: (1) The automobile/vehicle service and repair is being conducted during daytime hours (seven a.m. to ten p.m.); (2) All automobiles/vehicles must be registered to a bona fide resident of the property or immediate family members (parents, children or siblings of someone living ...
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sunnyvale city rules.
Business Licensing & Operations in Santa Clara County →