Common violations in Santa Clara County include building or occupying structures without permits, unpermitted grading, illegal accessory dwelling units, cannabis cultivation violations, and improper land use in agricultural and hillside zones.
The Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development lists the following as common violations: constructing, altering, or occupying a building without required permits, grading or filling land without permits, operating a business in a residential zone without a home occupation permit, illegal accessory dwelling units (especially converted garages), cannabis cultivation outside permitted areas, keeping livestock in non-agricultural zones, operating unpermitted short-term rentals, excessive outdoor storage and junk accumulation, and violations of hillside development standards. The county's mix of urban, suburban, agricultural, and hillside areas creates diverse enforcement challenges.
Penalties vary by violation type. Administrative citations can escalate to $1,000 per day. Building without a permit may require retroactive permits at increased fees plus potential structural modifications.
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale permits construction noise Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 8 AM to 5 PM. No construction on Sundays or major holidays without ...
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale was one of the earliest California cities to ban gas-powered leaf blowers, ahead of statewide AB 1346. Only electric or battery blowers are allowed...
Sunnyvale, CA
Aircraft noise from Moffett Federal Airfield, NASA Ames, and San Jose International is preempted by federal FAA rules. Sunnyvale cannot regulate overflight n...
Sunnyvale, CA
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 restric...
Sunnyvale, CA
Sunnyvale driveway construction and use are governed by SMC Title 19 zoning and Title 16 encroachment rules. Blocking sidewalks or the public right-of-way is...
Sunnyvale, CA
RVs, trailers, and boats over 6 feet tall or 22 feet long are restricted on Sunnyvale streets under SMC Title 10. Short-term loading is allowed with limits; ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
See how Sunnyvale's common violations rules stack up against other locations.
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