Parking Rules in Sunnyvale, CA (2026)
10 verified parking rules for Sunnyvale, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
RV & Boat Parking
Since January 1, 2005, Sunnyvale has required RVs, trailers and boats parked in a front yard to sit perpendicular to the street, unless the driveway's legal configuration makes that impossible. They must also clear the vision triangle at driveway and intersection corners.
RV and Boat Parking Rules in Sunnyvale
Some RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 19.46.040(a)(2), Chapter 19.46 (Parking)
(2) RVs, Trailers and Boats. Effective January 1, 2005, all recreational vehicles (RVs), trailers and boats parked in a front yard shall be parked perpendicular to the street, unless the legal driveway configuration dictates otherwise. RVs, trailers and boats are subject to the vision triangle requirements in Section 19.34.060 (Vision triangles).
Driveway Rules
Sunnyvale allows parking in required yards, but caps front-yard vehicle parking at half the yard area, and restricts what can sit there. Only currently-registered, operable vehicles, trailers and boats may park in front or side yards under Municipal Code Sec. 19.46.040(a)(1).
Front Yard Parking Rules in Sunnyvale
Some RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 19.46.040(a), (a)(1), Chapter 19.46 (Parking)
(a) Location. Required parking shall be located off-street. Parking is allowed in all required yards. Up to fifty percent of the front yard may be used for vehicle parking. The following special restrictions apply: (1) Operable Vehicles. Vehicles parked in the front or side yards are limited to currently-registered operable vehicles, trailers and boats. An operable vehicle is a vehicle that can...
Commercial & Oversized Vehicles
A commercial vehicle weighing ten thousand pounds or more cannot park in a Sunnyvale residential district for more than five hours under Municipal Code Section 10.16.160. Pickups and station wagons sized like ordinary passenger vehicles are excluded, and the limit lifts while a vehicle is actively loading, unloading, or aiding a service job in the same block.
Commercial Truck Parking Limits in Sunnyvale
Some RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code § 10.16.160 (Parking commercial vehicles in residential district), Chapter 10.16 Parking Regulations
It is unlawful for any person to park any commercial vehicle ten thousand pounds or more (other than a pick-up truck, station wagon or similar vehicle of a size similar to an ordinary passenger vehicle) more than five hours in any residential district except: (a) While loading or unloading property and time in addition to such five-hour period is necessary to complete such work; or (b) When suc...
Street Parking Limits
Street parking in Sunnyvale is governed by SMC Title 10 and California Vehicle Code. The 72-hour rule (CVC 22651(k)) applies, and posted permit zones restrict certain neighborhoods.
Street Parking Rules in Sunnyvale
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Vehicle Code § 22651(a)-(b)
A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, or a regularly employed and salaried employee who is engaged in directing traffic or enforcing parking laws and regulations of a city, county, or jurisdiction of a state agency in which a vehicle is located may remove a vehicle located within the territorial limits in which the offic...
Overnight Parking
Sunnyvale allows overnight street parking on most residential streets subject to the 72-hour rule. Permit Parking Districts require a valid permit overnight.
Overnight Parking Rules in Sunnyvale
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Vehicle Code § 22651(k)-(l)
(k) If a vehicle is parked or left standing upon a highway for 72 or more consecutive hours in violation of a local ordinance authorizing removal. (l) If a vehicle is illegally parked on a highway in violation of a local ordinance forbidding standing or parking and the use of a highway, or a portion thereof, is necessary for the cleaning, repair, or construction of the highway, or for the insta...
EV Charging
Sunnyvale supports residential EV charging through streamlined permitting under AB 1236 and new construction EV-ready requirements in CALGreen. Commercial EV stalls must meet ADA and signage rules.
EV Charging Rules in Sunnyvale
Some RestrictionsCalifornia AB 1236 (2015) — Gov. Code § 65850.7 (EV Charging Station Permit Streamlining)
AB 1236, Chiu. Local ordinances: electric vehicle charging stations. ... The bill would require a city, county, or city and county to approve an application for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, as defined, through the issuance of specified permits unless the city or county makes specified written findings based upon substantial evidence in the record that the proposed ins...
Abandoned Vehicles
Sunnyvale enforces abandoned vehicle removal through SMC Title 10 and CVC 22651(k) and 22669. Vehicles left over 72 hours on public streets or inoperable on private property may be towed.
Abandoned Vehicle Rules in Sunnyvale
Significant RestrictionsCalifornia Vehicle Code § 22660
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a city, county, or city and county may adopt an ordinance establishing procedures for the abatement and removal, as public nuisances, of abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, or inoperative vehicles or parts thereof from private or public property, and for the recovery, pursuant to Section 25845 or 38773.5 of the Government Code, or assumption by the local ...
Curb Color Rules
Sunnyvale's city traffic engineer can restrict stopping, standing or parking either by posting signs or by painting the curb, under Municipal Code Section 10.16.020. Once a sign or curb marking is in place, parking against it is unlawful, and the section also authorizes twenty-foot red-curb zones at intersections controlled by stop, yield or traffic signals.
Sunnyvale Curb Painting for Parking Restrictions
Some RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code § 10.16.020 (Signs or markings indicating restricted stopping, standing or parking), Chapter 10.16 Parking Regulations
(a) The city traffic engineer is authorized to designate, install and maintain, by appropriate signs or by paint upon the curb surface, all parking space markings and restricted stopping, standing or parking areas. All such designations in excess of fifty continuous feet shall be incorporated in the traffic control regulations document. Appeals of the city traffic engineer's decision to install...
Loading Zones
Sunnyvale marks commercial loading zones with a yellow curb line reading "LOADING ONLY." Vehicles may stop only to load or unload commercial deliveries, capped at twenty minutes for materials and three minutes for passengers, and the restriction runs 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Sundays and holidays unless posted signs say otherwise.
Sunnyvale Loading Zone Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code §§ 10.36.040(a)(2), 10.36.050
Loading Zone. "Yellow" means no stopping, standing or parking for any purpose other than the loading or unloading of passengers or materials to and from commercial vehicles making commercial deliveries, provided that the loading or unloading of passengers shall not consume more than three minutes nor the loading or unloading of materials more than twenty minutes, and unless the city traffic eng...
Preferential Parking Districts
Sunnyvale's city council can designate residential preferential parking zones under Municipal Code Chapter 10.26 after finding that non-residential vehicles regularly crowd out resident parking. The department of public works issues resident and guest permits, and reselling a permit is unlawful and voids every permit tied to that household.
Sunnyvale Residential Preferential Parking Permits
Significant RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code § 10.26.020 (Establishment of residential preferential parking zones), Chapter 10.26 Preferential Parking on Residential Streets
The city council may designate by ordinance or resolution certain residential streets or alleys or any portions thereof not less than 150 feet in length, or either or both sides thereof, as a residential preferential parking zone for the benefit of residents living within the preferential parking zone, in which zone vehicles displaying a permit or other authorized indicia may be exempt from par...
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sunnyvale city rules.
Parking Rules in Santa Clara County →