Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Sunnyvale, CA (2026)
2 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Sunnyvale, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Obstruction Rules
Sunnyvale requires an encroachment permit from the city engineer before anyone obstructs, blocks or places anything in the public right-of-way, including sidewalks, under Municipal Code Chapter 13.08. Unpermitted obstructions are a public nuisance the city can abate, and the code broadly defines encroachment to cover physical improvements, landscaping and waste material left in the way.
Sunnyvale Sidewalk Obstruction and Encroachment Rules
Some RestrictionsSunnyvale Municipal Code § 13.08.020, § 13.08.030(a), (e)
§ 13.08.030. Encroachment permit required. (a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 13.08.040, it is unlawful for any person to encroach or to make or to cause to be made any encroachment without first having obtained an encroachment permit from the city engineer... (e) Any encroachment for which a permit is required and for which no permit has been issued pursuant to this chapter shall be d...
Encroachment Permits
Sunnyvale requires a city engineer-issued encroachment permit before anyone builds, plants or places anything in the public right-of-way, under Municipal Code Section 13.08.030. Unpermitted encroachments are a public nuisance the city can abate, and owners with unpermitted work in place before the chapter's effective date had to apply by April 1, 1995 or risk removal.
Sunnyvale Right-of-Way Encroachment Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code § 13.08.030(a)-(b), Chapter 13.08 Right-of-Way Encroachments
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 13.08.040, it is unlawful for any person to encroach or to make or to cause to be made any encroachment without first having obtained an encroachment permit from the city engineer. (b) Encroachment permits shall be issued by the city engineer upon such conditions the city engineer deems necessary to protect the public interest, safety and welfare.
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sunnyvale city rules.
Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Santa Clara County →