Sunnyvale is not located in any Cal Fire Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The city sits on the flat Santa Clara Valley floor without wildland-urban interface areas requiring special fire hardening.
Cal Fire maps Sunnyvale entirely outside of State Responsibility Area and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone designations. The city occupies the flat valley floor of Santa Clara County surrounded by urban development, not hillsides or wildland. This means California Government Code Section 51182 defensible space requirements and Chapter 7A ignition-resistant construction mandates do not apply to Sunnyvale properties. However, Sunnyvale remains in a seasonally dry Mediterranean climate with Red Flag Warning days, so general fire prevention, weed abatement, and BAAQMD burn bans still apply. Insurance companies may still adjust rates based on regional wildfire trends even though the local zone classification is non-VHFHSZ.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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.
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