Environmental Rules in Sunnyvale, CA (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Sunnyvale, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Sunnyvale's Chapter 12.60 stormwater ordinance bans any discharge to the storm drain system that isn't composed entirely of stormwater, unless a specific exemption applies, under Municipal Code Section 12.60.070. Adopted under the city's NPDES municipal stormwater permit, the rule covers every developed and undeveloped parcel in the city and carries civil penalties up to $10,000 per gallon for the worst violations.
Sunnyvale Stormwater Discharge Prohibitions
Significant RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code § 12.60.070(a)-(b), Chapter 12.60 Stormwater Management
(a) General Prohibition. Any discharge to the storm drain system not composed entirely of stormwater is prohibited, except as set forth in this chapter. (b) It is unlawful to throw, deposit, leave, abandon, maintain or keep materials or wastes on public or private lands in a manner and place where they may result in an illicit discharge.
Erosion Control
Every construction site in Sunnyvale must run effective erosion, sediment and runoff controls through all phases of work under Municipal Code Section 12.60.310(c), part of the stormwater management chapter. The requirement stays in force from grading through final building and lot finishing until the site is permanently stabilized by landscaping or other erosion control measures.
Sunnyvale Construction Site Erosion Control Rules
Some RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code § 12.60.310(c), Chapter 12.60 Stormwater Management
(c) Construction Site Stormwater Pollution Controls. All construction sites will implement effective erosion control, runon and runoff control, sediment control, active treatment systems (as appropriate), good site management, and non-stormwater management through all phases of construction (including, but not limited to, site grading, building and finishing of lots) until the site is fully sta...
Flood Zones
Sunnyvale regulates every subdivision, fill, grading, utility installation, and building project inside a mapped flood hazard area under Municipal Code Chapter 16.62. The rules apply wherever the Santa Clara County Flood Insurance Study and FIRM maps, adopted by reference and dated December 19, 1997, show a special flood hazard area. The director of Community Development serves as floodplain administrator and reviews every affected permit before it issues.
Sunnyvale Floodplain Development Rules
Some RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code § 16.62.110(a) (Applicability), Chapter 16.62 Floodplain Management
These regulations, in conjunction with the building codes, provide minimum requirements for development located in flood hazard areas, including the subdivision of land; filling, grading and other site improvements; installation of utilities; installation, placement and replacement of manufactured homes; placement of recreational vehicles; installation of tanks; temporary structures and tempora...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Sunnyvale's floodplain code adds a one-foot freeboard margin above FEMA's base flood elevation for the structures it regulates directly. Detached garages and accessory storage buildings permitted below the base flood elevation must still have their mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems elevated to at least one foot above it, and manufactured homes citywide must have their lowest floor set at base flood elevation plus one foot under Chapter 16.62.
Sunnyvale Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code § 16.62.300(b) (Buildings and structures - Detached Garages and Accessory Storage Structures), Chapter 16.62 Floodplain Management
Detached Garages and Accessory Storage Structures. Detached garages and accessory storage structures used only for parking or storage are permitted below the base flood elevation provided the garages and accessory storage structures: (1) Are one story and not larger than 600 square feet in area when located in special flood hazard areas. (2) Are anchored to resist flotation, collapse or lateral...
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sunnyvale city rules.
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