Pop. 155,805 · Santa Clara County
Goats, pigs, sheep, cattle, and horses are not permitted in Sunnyvale residential zones. Only small animals like hens, rabbits, and pets are allowed, matching the urban character of Silicon Valley.
Intentionally feeding coyotes, raccoons, skunks, deer, feral cats, or non-songbird wildlife is prohibited in Sunnyvale as a public nuisance due to the risk of human-wildlife conflict in Baylands-adjacent neighborhoods.
Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet in all public Sunnyvale areas except designated off-leash dog parks like Las Palmas Dog Park and Fair Oaks Park off-leash area.
Aircraft noise from Moffett Federal Airfield, NASA Ames, and San Jose International is preempted by federal FAA rules. Sunnyvale cannot regulate overflight noise but offers a local complaint reporting channel.
Industrial facilities in Sunnyvale must not exceed 70 dBA at the property line during the day or 65 dBA at night under Chapter 19.48, with stricter limits when adjacent to residential zones.
Outdoor live or amplified music at Sunnyvale restaurants, bars, and event spaces requires a conditional use permit or special event permit, with cutoffs typically at 10 PM weeknights and 11 PM weekends.
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 and must comply with 65 dBA residential noise limits.
Sunnyvale Chapter 19.48 sets exterior noise limits of 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night for residential, 65 dBA for commercial, and 70 dBA for industrial, measured at the receiving property line.
Amplified music audible beyond a property line after 10 PM violates Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 19.48. Outdoor entertainment at commercial venues requires a special event permit from the city.
Sunnyvale enforces nighttime quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM (8 AM on weekends and holidays) under Municipal Code Chapter 19.48, with stricter decibel limits for residential zones during these times.
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 a special permit from the Building Division.
Sunnyvale classifies a dog that barks continuously for more than 20 minutes, or intermittently for over 40 minutes within a 4-hour span, as a public nuisance under the Municipal Code animal control provisions.
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.
Sunnyvale allows overnight street parking on most residential streets subject to the 72-hour rule. Permit Parking Districts require a valid permit overnight.
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.
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; long-term storage requires off-street parking.
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.
Commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds GVWR generally cannot park overnight on Sunnyvale residential streets under SMC Title 10, with exceptions for active loading.
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 prohibited.
California Vehicle Code §21458 standardizes curb-paint meanings statewide: red (no stopping), yellow (loading), white (passenger), green (timed), blue (disabled). Santa Clara County Roads paints unincorporated curbs accordingly.
California Vehicle Code §22500.1 and Santa Clara County Title B regulate loading-zone parking. Yellow curbs limit commercial loading to active loading only, with strict time caps and citation rules.
Sunnyvale enforces the California Building Code and State Health and Safety Code requiring working smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and level of a home. Detectors must be hardwired in new construction.
Sunnyvale requires property owners to maintain defensible space and remove dead vegetation as a fire hazard. The city conducts annual weed abatement inspections under Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 9.48.
Small recreational fires in approved fire pits or chimineas are allowed in Sunnyvale backyards using clean fuel. Open ground fires and debris burning are prohibited under the Fire Code and BAAQMD rules.
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.
Sunnyvale allows residential recreational fire pits fueled by clean natural gas or propane. Wood-burning outdoor fires are heavily restricted under BAAQMD Regulation 6 Rule 3 and Sunnyvale Fire Code.
Open burning of yard waste, trash, and construction debris is prohibited in Sunnyvale. BAAQMD Regulation 5 bans agricultural and residential burning across the Bay Area including Santa Clara County.
All fireworks, including Safe and Sane, are illegal to possess, sell, or discharge in Sunnyvale. Santa Clara County has a countywide ban and Sunnyvale enforces strict fines starting at 1000 dollars.
Santa Clara County Fire Code under Title B incorporates the California Fire Code and IFC §6101 governing propane storage. Residential cylinders aggregating 10 gallons or less are exempt; aggregate quantities above 25 gallons require an SCCFD or CalFire CZU operational permit and IFC §6104 setbacks.
Retaining walls over 4 feet measured from the bottom of the footing require a Sunnyvale building permit with engineered plans, including drainage, soil pressure, and seismic analysis.
Sunnyvale fences must be structurally sound, set back from sight-distance triangles at corners, and for commercial uses must meet screening and design review requirements in the zoning code.
California Health and Safety Code 115920 and Sunnyvale code require pool barriers at least 60 inches tall with self-closing gates and at least two of seven safety features for residential swimming pools.
Barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fences are prohibited on Sunnyvale residential properties. Wood, vinyl, wrought iron, masonry, and composite are all permitted residential fence materials.
Sunnyvale limits front yard fences to 3 feet, side and rear yard fences to 6 feet, and allows up to 8 feet with a minor fence permit for privacy and sound attenuation needs.
Fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards do not require a building permit in Sunnyvale, but fences over 7 feet, retaining walls over 4 feet, and pool barriers always need permits.
California Civil Code 841 (Good Neighbor Fence Act) requires adjoining property owners to share the cost of boundary fences equally absent written agreement, and 30-day written notice before construction.
Rainwater collection is legal in Sunnyvale under California AB 1750. Rain barrels under 50 gallons are exempt from permits. Larger cistern systems require plumbing permits for potable or irrigation use.
Artificial turf is allowed in Sunnyvale residential yards without a special permit. California AB 1572 will ban potable irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial sites starting 2027, accelerating turf conversions.
Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 9.48 declares overgrown weeds a public nuisance. Property owners must abate weeds that create fire hazards, harbor pests, or obstruct public ways within the stated deadline.
Sunnyvale encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping and complies with the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. No permit is required for native plantings in residential yards.
Sunnyvale follows Valley Water drought stage rules and enforces permanent outdoor watering limits. AB 1572 bans irrigating non-functional turf at commercial and HOA sites starting in 2027.
Sunnyvale requires property owners to maintain lawns and weeds under roughly six inches as a nuisance and fire prevention measure under Municipal Code Chapter 9.48 weed abatement provisions.
Sunnyvale has a strong Heritage Tree Ordinance under Municipal Code Chapter 19.94 requiring permits to trim large trees. Routine pruning is allowed but heavy cuts on protected trees need city approval.
Removing any heritage tree in Sunnyvale requires a permit from the city arborist under Municipal Code Chapter 19.94. Unauthorized removal triggers fines up to 10000 dollars plus mandatory replacement.
Santa Clara County Code Title C and California SB-1383 require residents and businesses to separate organic waste from trash, either through curbside green-bin service or backyard composting. The county's Home Composting Education Program teaches techniques and offers discounted bins.
Sunnyvale follows California state law allowing small family daycare (up to 8 children) by right in any residential zone. Large family daycare (9-14) is permitted with a use permit under SMC Chapter 19.70.
Exterior signs for home-based businesses are prohibited in Sunnyvale residential zones. The home occupation must have no outward indication of non-residential use under Municipal Code Chapter 19.68.
Sunnyvale permits home occupations as accessory to residential use under SMC 19.70.040. No walk-in customers, no outside employees, and no more than 25 percent of dwelling may be used for the business.
California AB 1616 and AB 1240 allow home-based Cottage Food Operations in Sunnyvale. Class A permits direct sales up to 75000 dollars. Class B allows indirect sales through retail with additional inspections.
Sunnyvale allows home occupations in residential zones under Municipal Code Chapter 19.68 with a home occupation permit. The business must be secondary to residential use and cause no neighborhood impact.
Sunnyvale home occupations are limited to minimal customer visits. Frequent client traffic, deliveries beyond residential norms, or any activity that disturbs neighbors is prohibited under Municipal Code Chapter 19.68.
Tiny homes on foundations qualify as ADUs in Sunnyvale under state law. Tiny homes on wheels are regulated as RVs and cannot be used as permanent dwellings outside of RV parks or approved JADU setups.
Carports are permitted in Sunnyvale as accessory structures under Municipal Code Chapter 19.38. Residential carports must meet zoning setbacks, height limits, and building permit requirements when over 120 square feet.
Under SMC Title 19 and California Government Code 65852.2(a)(8), Sunnyvale does NOT require owner-occupancy for standard ADUs. Owner-occupancy is required only for Junior ADUs (JADUs) under California Government Code 65852.22, with a deed restriction recorded against the property.
Under California Government Code 65852.2(f)(3), Sunnyvale ADUs under 750 square feet are exempt from all city impact fees. ADUs 750 square feet or larger pay impact fees proportional to the primary dwelling. Sunnyvale's own permit and plan-check fees are moderate by Silicon Valley standards.
Sunnyvale prohibits short-term rentals of ADUs - stays must be 30 days or longer under California Government Code 65852.2(a)(6) and SMC Title 19. Long-term ADU rentals are not subject to local rent control (Sunnyvale has no rent stabilization ordinance) but are subject to statewide AB 1482 just-cause and rent-cap protections.
Sunnyvale processes ADU permits ministerially under Sunnyvale Municipal Code Title 19 (Zoning) and California Government Code 65852.2. Sunnyvale was one of the earliest California cities to adopt by-right ADU regulations (2017) and consistently rates as one of the most permissive Silicon Valley jurisdictions. State law requires action within 60 days of a complete application.
Sunnyvale allows backyard sheds up to 120 square feet without a building permit under Municipal Code Chapter 19.38. Sheds must meet setbacks and cannot be used as living space or connected to utilities.
Sunnyvale allows garage conversions to ADUs or JADUs under state law. Detached garage ADUs are ministerial. Replacement parking is no longer required under California AB 68 and updated ADU rules.
Sunnyvale allows ADUs and JADUs on single-family and multifamily lots under California Government Code 65852.2 plus AB 68, 881, and SB 13. AB 1033 now allows ADUs to be sold as separate condos.
Unhosted nights are effectively zero in Sunnyvale because only hosted STRs are allowed. Hosts must be on-site during the entire guest stay under SMC 19.76.
Sunnyvale STR registration requires proof of primary residency, HOA consent if applicable, TOT account, insurance, and a 24-hour local contact. Approval numbers must appear in all ads.
Sunnyvale STR operators must carry liability insurance of at least 500000 dollars covering the rental use, or operate exclusively on a platform that provides equivalent host protection coverage.
Sunnyvale STR occupancy is capped at 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional, not to exceed the building code maximum. Commercial events and parties are prohibited.
Sunnyvale requires city approval before any STR operates or advertises under SMC Chapter 19.76. Only hosted rentals where the owner lives on-site are allowed.
Sunnyvale STR hosts must enforce the city noise ordinance (SMC 19.42) with guests. Quiet hours run 10 PM to 7 AM with 50 dBA nighttime limit at property lines.
Sunnyvale imposes a 10.5 percent Transient Occupancy Tax on all STR stays under 30 days. Hosts must register, collect TOT from guests, and remit monthly or quarterly.
Sunnyvale STRs must provide at least one off-street parking space per rented bedroom and cannot use RV parking or overflow street parking for guests under SMC 19.76.
Santa Clara County zoning enforcement under Title A escalates penalties for repeated STR violations. Cities use formal strike systems suspending or revoking permits after multiple substantiated complaints.
Santa Clara County does not operate an extended home-share program for stays beyond standard short-term rental periods. State law treats stays of 30+ days as tenancies under California landlord-tenant rules.
California state law and city ordinances impose joint liability on STR hosts and platforms like Airbnb. Platforms must collect TOT, verify permits, and remove unpermitted listings on jurisdiction request.
Santa Clara County does not impose a uniform host-presence rule on short-term rentals. Some unincorporated zoning districts limit STRs to hosted home-share arrangements, while others permit unhosted whole-home rentals subject to permit, tax, and noise rules.
Santa Clara County has no countywide primary-residence rule for short-term rentals. San Jose, Mountain View, and Palo Alto require hosts to use the property as their primary home, while Saratoga and Los Gatos restrict STRs more broadly through zoning.
Sunnyvale requires a building permit for any in-ground pool or spa, and for above-ground pools deeper than 18 inches, under the California Building Code as adopted by SMC Title 16.
Hot tubs and spas in Sunnyvale require a building permit and must meet California Pool Safety Act rules, but a locking safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 satisfies barrier requirements.
Sunnyvale enforces the California Swimming Pool Safety Act (H and S Code 115920). Pools require enclosures at least 60 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Sunnyvale pools must have anti-entrapment drain covers per VGB Act, approved circulation and chemical systems, and comply with California Pool Safety Act.
Above-ground pools deeper than 18 inches require a Sunnyvale permit and must meet Pool Safety Act barriers. Pool walls at least 48 inches may serve as part of the barrier.
Sunnyvale requires erosion and sediment controls on grading and construction sites under SMC Chapter 18 and the Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit.
Sunnyvale maps flood hazards through FEMA and enforces floodplain rules under SMC Chapter 18. Properties in Zones A and AE must meet NFIP construction standards and carry flood insurance if federally financed.
Grading of 50 cubic yards or more requires a grading permit in Sunnyvale under SMC Title 16. Lot drainage must direct water away from structures and neighbors without causing nuisance.
Sunnyvale enforces stormwater controls under SMC Chapter 12.60 and the statewide Municipal Regional Permit. Only rain may enter storm drains; pollutants are prohibited.
Santa Clara County declared a climate emergency in 2020 and adopted the OneSCC 2030 Sustainability Master Plan setting county-operations carbon neutrality and aggressive countywide reduction targets. The Office of Sustainability coordinates implementation across departments serving 1.9 million residents.
Properties in CalFire State Responsibility Area and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California PRC §4291. Santa Clara County FireSafe Council and CalFire enforce in foothill unincorporated communities like Saratoga Hills, Los Altos Hills, and Mount Hamilton.
California Code of Regulations Title 13 §2485 caps heavy-duty diesel idling at five minutes statewide, enforced across Santa Clara County by CARB and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The county fleet idle-reduction policy mirrors the limit for county-owned trucks and buses.
California AB-1346 banned the sale of new gas-powered leaf blowers and other small off-road engines under 25 horsepower starting 2024, applying across Santa Clara County. Several cities including Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Gatos enforce stricter operating bans, while unincorporated areas follow the state floor.
Santa Clara County's Sustainable Procurement Policy directs all departments to prioritize recycled-content, energy-efficient, low-toxicity, and locally sourced products. Procurement leads the county's transition to a zero-emission light-duty fleet under the OneSCC Sustainability Plan.
Santa Clara County Roads and Airports runs limited cool pavement pilots in heat-vulnerable unincorporated communities like East San Jose foothill fringes. Reflective coatings reduce surface temperatures by roughly 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit on summer afternoons aligned with OneSCC heat equity goals.
Santa Clara County Title B Building Code adopts CALGreen Title 24 Part 11 baseline plus reach-code amendments requiring cool roofing on new construction and major reroofs in unincorporated areas. Reflective materials must meet minimum solar reflectance and thermal emittance ratings under Title 24 Part 6.
The OneSCC 2030 Sustainability Master Plan and county tree canopy goals guide heat island mitigation through cool roofs, cool pavement, urban forestry, and cooling-center activations when National Weather Service forecasts highs at or above 95 degrees Fahrenheit for two consecutive days in unincorporated areas.
The California Coastal Act, Public Resources Code sections 30000 through 30900, requires Coastal Development Permits for nearly all work in the coastal zone and gives the Coastal Commission appeal jurisdiction over local decisions.
Structure height in Sunnyvale depends on zone. R-1 homes are capped at about 30 feet or 2 stories; mixed-use and commercial zones permit taller buildings under Title 19.
Sunnyvale setbacks depend on zoning district under SMC Title 19. Typical R-1 single-family lots require 20-foot front, 5-foot side, and 20-foot rear setbacks.
Lot coverage in Sunnyvale is capped by zoning under SMC Title 19. R-1 lots typically allow about 40 percent building coverage, with separate floor area ratio (FAR) limits.
Food trucks in Sunnyvale need a Santa Clara County health permit, a business license, and must comply with SMC Title 5 and SB 946 vending rules on sidewalks.
Sunnyvale permits food truck and sidewalk vending in commercial and industrial zones and limits operations near schools, parks, and residences under SMC Title 19 and SB 946.
Sunnyvale has local Rent Stabilization plus statewide AB 1482 protections. Most multifamily rentals are capped at annual CPI-based increases with just-cause eviction requirements.
Sunnyvale does not currently require general rental property registration, but short-term rentals and specific multi-family programs may have notification requirements.
Sunnyvale tenants are protected by California AB 1482 just cause eviction requirements. Landlords must state an allowable reason for eviction after 12 months of occupancy.
Santa Clara County has no countywide relocation ordinance for unincorporated areas. State law controls: AB-1482 requires one month of rent for no-fault terminations and the Ellis Act adds extra pay for elderly or disabled tenants.
California Civil Code §1950.5, amended by AB-12 effective July 2024, caps residential security deposits at one month's rent statewide. Santa Clara County adds no local cap, so the state rule governs unincorporated and incorporated rentals alike.
Santa Clara County imposes no countywide buyout disclosure rule. Cash-for-keys agreements in unincorporated areas follow only baseline California contract and Civil Code rules, unlike San Jose and Mountain View, which require formal disclosures.
Unincorporated Santa Clara County applies California's AB-1482 no-fault grounds: owner move-in, substantial remodel, demolition, government order, and Ellis Act withdrawal. Each path requires written notice, statutory relocation, and good-faith intent.
Santa Clara County has no countywide rent stabilization, so pass-through charges in unincorporated areas follow state law. AB-1482 caps annual rent increases at 5% plus CPI, capped at 10%, including any operating cost passthroughs.
Santa Clara County has not adopted a countywide tenant anti-harassment ordinance for unincorporated areas. Tenants rely on California Civil Code §1940.2 against forcible exclusion plus tort remedies for retaliation or harassment.
California Government Code §12955, expanded by SB-329 in 2020, prohibits housing discrimination based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers. Santa Clara County enforces statewide rules through state CRD; no separate county code exists.
The Santa Clara County Housing Authority (SCCHA) administers federal Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers across the county. Landlords accepting vouchers must pass an HQS inspection and cannot refuse applicants based on voucher status.
Light trespass onto neighboring property in Sunnyvale is a nuisance under SMC Title 9 and Title 19. Offenders can be required to shield or redirect fixtures.
Sunnyvale limits outdoor lighting glare and spill through SMC Title 19 and Title 24 Part 6. Fixtures in residential zones must be shielded and not spill onto adjacent properties.
Outdoor advertising in Santa Clara County must follow Caltrans brightness rules adopted from the federal Highway Beautification Act. Digital displays cannot exceed 0.3 footcandles over ambient at the regulated measurement distance and must dim automatically at night.
Decorative holiday and seasonal lighting is broadly exempt from Santa Clara County outdoor-lighting standards from November through early January. Permanent year-round string lighting still must meet shielding, color-temperature, and light-trespass rules under Title C zoning.
Santa Clara County Title C outdoor-lighting standards require full-cutoff shielding on security and area lights to prevent glare and light trespass. The rules align with International Dark-Sky Association practice and limit upward and lateral light beyond property lines.
Sunnyvale residents receive two free on-call bulky item pickups per year through Specialty Solid Waste for furniture, appliances, and large items.
Sunnyvale provides weekly curbside collection of garbage, recycling, and organics through Specialty Solid Waste and Recycling with strict set-out time requirements.
Sunnyvale residents and businesses must source-separate recyclables and organics from trash to comply with state laws AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383.
Sunnyvale requires trash, recycling, and organics carts to be stored out of public view between collections and placed with adequate spacing on collection day.
California SB-1383 requires every household and business in Santa Clara County to separate food scraps and yard waste from trash. Local haulers including Recology, GreenWaste, and Mission Trail Waste run weekly green-cart collection for compostable organics.
Sunnyvale residents may display temporary political signs on private property under First Amendment protections, with reasonable limits on size and placement.
Sunnyvale allows seasonal holiday lights and decorations on residential property with few restrictions, focusing on safety, right-of-way, and neighbor impact.
Sunnyvale allows temporary garage sale signs on private property but prohibits placing signs on public rights-of-way, utility poles, or traffic control devices.
Santa Clara County Title C zoning prohibits new off-premises digital billboards in unincorporated areas. The California Outdoor Advertising Act sets statewide controls along Interstate and primary highways and requires Caltrans permits for any roadside display.
Santa Clara County Title C zoning limits window signs in unincorporated commercial districts to roughly 25 percent of the window area. Larger temporary banners and obstructive signage trigger sign-permit review by the Planning Department.
Signs visible to motorists on US-101, I-280, I-680, I-880, SR-85, and SR-87 require both Caltrans Outdoor Advertising approval and County zoning sign permits. The Outdoor Advertising Act preempts inconsistent local rules along these routes.
Sunnyvale property maintenance rules require trash, recycling, and organics carts to be stored out of public view between collection days.
Sunnyvale prohibits property blight including overgrown vegetation, accumulated junk, graffiti, inoperable vehicles, and structures in disrepair visible from the public right-of-way.
Sunnyvale does not receive measurable snow, but property owners are responsible for keeping adjacent sidewalks clean, clear of obstructions, and in good repair.
Sunnyvale allows residential garage sales without a permit but limits frequency and duration to prevent properties from becoming ongoing commercial operations.
Sunnyvale requires owners of vacant lots to maintain properties free of weeds, debris, and fire hazards with seasonal weed abatement enforced by the fire marshal.
Sunnyvale enforces a juvenile curfew prohibiting minors under 18 from being in public places during overnight hours without a parent or valid exception.
Sunnyvale public parks close to the public from 10 p.m. to sunrise with violations treated as infractions unless a special use permit is issued.
Door-to-door commercial solicitors in Sunnyvale must obtain a peddler/solicitor permit and business license before conducting sales or service canvassing.
Sunnyvale solicitors must honor posted No Soliciting signs and leave property immediately when asked, with violations treated as trespass.
Commercial drone operations in Sunnyvale require FAA Part 107 certification, proper airspace authorization, and a Sunnyvale business license for local operators.
Recreational drone flights in Sunnyvale are governed by FAA regulations with additional local rules prohibiting takeoff and landing in city parks without a permit.
Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation prohibits drone takeoff, landing, and operation in nearly all county parks. Limited exceptions exist for designated model-aircraft areas and for permitted commercial filming with advance Parks Department approval.
Federal law preempts local airspace control. Drones near San Jose Mineta and Reid-Hillview airports must obtain LAANC authorization through the Federal Aviation Administration, follow controlled airspace altitude limits, and avoid temporary flight restrictions issued for emergencies.
Major events at Levi's Stadium, SAP Center, and PayPal Park trigger FAA temporary flight restrictions banning drones within three nautical miles up to 3,000 feet. Violations carry federal criminal penalties in addition to civil fines.
HOAs in Sunnyvale follow the California Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act (Civil Code 4000-6150), which governs meetings, voting, records, and director duties.
Before suing, Sunnyvale HOA members must use Internal Dispute Resolution or Alternative Dispute Resolution under Civil Code 5900-5965 of the Davis-Stirling Act.
Sunnyvale HOAs may enforce architectural guidelines under CCRs, but California Civil Code 4735 protects solar panels, EV charging, clotheslines, and low-water landscaping.
Davis-Stirling allows Sunnyvale HOAs to enforce CCRs through fines, suspension of privileges, and liens, but requires due process notice and a hearing under Civil Code 5855.
HOAs in Sunnyvale levy regular and special assessments under Civil Code 5600. Annual increases over 20 percent or special assessments over 5 percent require member approval.
Scaffolding in Sunnyvale must comply with the California Building Code as adopted in SMC Title 16 and Cal/OSHA Title 8 safety standards. Permits and encroachment approvals may be required.
Elevators in Sunnyvale are regulated by Cal/OSHA Division of Occupational Safety and Health Elevator Unit. Annual permits and inspections are required under Labor Code 7300-7324.
Sunnyvale addresses pest control through property maintenance standards in SMC Chapter 9.44 and County vector control. Rodent and insect harborage is a nuisance that must be abated by the owner.
Sunnyvale follows federal EPA RRP Rule and California Title 17 for lead-safe work practices on pre-1978 homes. Contractors must be lead-certified for disturbances over 6 square feet interior.
Santa Clara County has no countywide mansionization ordinance, but Title C zoning sets floor area ratio caps, lot coverage limits, and tiered setbacks in residential and rural districts of unincorporated areas, including hillside, scenic, and AP-Agricultural Preserve overlays.
Santa Clara County Code Title B adopts the California Residential Code R313, requiring NFPA 13D fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes in unincorporated areas, with County Fire reviewing plans.
Santa Clara County Title B classifies childcare centers as Group E or I-4 occupancies with specific egress, fire-protection, and lead clearance requirements. CCR Title 22 licensing through CDSS adds operational rules on staffing, square footage, and outdoor space.
Santa Clara County Title B and the California Fire Code adopt CFC Section 1010, restricting locks and latches on required egress doors. Single-action hardware, no double-cylinder deadbolts on exits, and panic hardware in assembly occupancies are mandatory.
Santa Clara County Title B adopts the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen, Title 24 Part 11) plus reach-code amendments requiring all-electric new construction, EV-ready parking, and heat-pump water heating in unincorporated areas effective 2023.
Sunnyvale residents 21 and over may cultivate up to six cannabis plants indoors at their primary residence under Proposition 64, but outdoor cultivation is banned.
Sunnyvale prohibits all commercial cannabis retail activity including dispensaries, delivery-only businesses, cultivation, manufacturing, and testing within city limits.
California permits state-licensed retailer cannabis delivery into any jurisdiction under DCC regulations. Santa Clara County does not host retail storefronts in unincorporated areas but cannot ban delivery into homes.
California's MAUCRSA framework lets local jurisdictions adopt social equity programs. Santa Clara County has limited unincorporated cannabis licensing, with state Bureau of Cannabis Control administering equity outreach grants.
California Business and Professions Code §26054 prohibits cannabis licensees within 600 feet of schools, daycares, and youth centers. Santa Clara County Title C zoning may impose larger buffers in unincorporated areas.
California Proposition 64 and Health and Safety Code §11362.1 allow adults 21+ to grow up to six cannabis plants per residence for personal use. Santa Clara County follows the state baseline.
Santa Clara County Title C zoning sharply limits commercial cannabis in unincorporated areas. Most cultivation, manufacturing, and retail must locate in incorporated cities with permissive ordinances like San Jose.
Sunnyvale offers online solar permits under AB 1236 and SB 379. Residential rooftop PV typically earns same-day approval. Title 24 Solar Mandate requires solar on most new homes.
HOAs in Sunnyvale cannot prohibit rooftop solar under California Civil Code 714 (Solar Rights Act). Reasonable aesthetic rules are allowed only if they do not significantly reduce performance or raise cost.
California AB-2188 and SB-379 require expedited permitting for residential rooftop solar and battery storage. Santa Clara County uses the federal SolarAPP+ platform under Title B for instant online plan-check approval of code-compliant systems.
California SB-43 enables Pacific Gas and Electric customers to subscribe to community solar projects without rooftop panels. Santa Clara County renters and condo owners can join the Green Tariff Shared Renewables and Community Solar Green Tariff programs.
Sunnyvale has no municipal ordinance limiting holiday lights on private residential property. Restrictions come from HOA architectural rules under the California Davis-Stirling Act. Lights are exempt from SMC Title 19 sign rules. Lights creating a sustained nuisance can be cited under Sunnyvale's general nuisance provisions.
Sunnyvale has no municipal ordinance limiting inflatable holiday decorations on private property. HOA architectural rules under the Davis-Stirling Act apply in condo and townhome communities. Right-of-way placement violates SMC Title 12 (Streets and Sidewalks). Fan noise can trigger Sunnyvale's noise ordinance (10 PM to 7 AM quiet hours).
Sunnyvale has no municipal ordinance limiting lawn ornaments, statues, or yard art on private property. HOA architectural guidelines under the California Davis-Stirling Act apply in condo and townhome communities. Yard art that obstructs sight triangles at driveways and corners or encroaches on the public right-of-way violates SMC Title 19 / Title 12.
Sunnyvale enforces the California Fire Code (CFC) as adopted in SMC Title 16 (Building and Construction). CFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction at apartments and condos. CFC 6109 limits residential propane storage to 2 cylinders of 5 gallons each.
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Sunnyvale require building, plumbing, electrical, and/or gas permits under SMC Title 16 (Building and Construction) when they include utilities or covered structures. SMC Title 19 yard and setback rules in the Single Family Home (SFH) zones apply to accessory structures.
Sunnyvale treats outdoor smokers as open-flame cooking devices under California Fire Code 308.1.4 as adopted in SMC Title 16. Multifamily balcony setbacks (10 ft) apply. Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Regulation 6 governs wood-smoke nuisance and Spare the Air days affect wood-burning.
Santa Clara County has adopted strong sanctuary policies since 2011, refusing to honor ICE civil detainers without a judicial warrant. Board resolutions in 2011, 2017, and 2023 reaffirmed the policy. California SB-54 reinforces the limits statewide.
California AB-1236 (Labor Code §2814) prohibits Santa Clara County and any city from requiring private employers to use E-Verify. Federal mandates apply only to federal contractors. SCC and its 15 cities impose no E-Verify requirement.
California Penal Code section 53071 preempts almost all local firearm regulation, so Santa Clara County cannot register or restrict gun ownership beyond state law. Narrow zoning and ammunition vendor rules survive in unincorporated areas under SCC Ord. NS-509.99.
California Penal Code sections 25400 and 25610 require firearms transported by vehicle in Santa Clara County to be unloaded, with handguns inside a locked container or trunk. Long guns must be unloaded but may ride in the passenger compartment if encased.
California Penal Code section 25400 prohibits carrying a concealed firearm without a CCW. The Santa Clara County Sheriff issues permits to county residents under shall-issue rules following Bruen and SB-2, with sensitive-place limits applied countywide.
California Penal Code section 26350 bans open carry of unloaded handguns in incorporated areas, and section 26400 bans openly carried unloaded long guns. All fifteen Santa Clara County cities are incorporated; loaded open carry is barred everywhere countywide.
Santa Clara County requires every vape and tobacco retailer in unincorporated areas to hold a Tobacco Retail License under Ordinance NS-300.789 plus a state CDTFA license. Sales of flavored vape products are barred under earlier county Ordinance NS-300.913 and California SB-793.
Federal Tobacco 21 (Public Law 116-94) and California Business and Professions Code section 22963 bar Santa Clara County retailers from selling cigarettes, cigars, vapes, or any tobacco product to anyone under twenty-one. SCC Public Health enforces in unincorporated areas with photo-ID checks.
Santa Clara County Ordinance NS-300.913, adopted in 2010 and predating the LA County and statewide bans, prohibits sale of all flavored tobacco products including menthol cigarettes and flavored e-liquids in unincorporated areas. California SB-793 imposes the same ban statewide as of December 2022.
Santa Clara County has no county-specific minimum wage above the California state floor for unincorporated areas. Workers in unincorporated SCC follow the state rate set by SB-3, while San Jose and other cities maintain higher local minimums.
Santa Clara County has no county paid-leave ordinance. Workers in unincorporated areas follow California SB-616's five-day statewide floor. San Jose and a few other cities have not enacted higher local rules, so SB-616 governs across the county.
Santa Clara County has no predictive-scheduling ordinance. California AB-1228 governs fast-food workers via the statewide Fast Food Council. Outside fast food, no local or state predictable-schedule mandate applies in SCC unincorporated areas or its 15 cities.
California SB-525, signed October 2023, establishes tiered minimum wages for covered healthcare workers ranging from $18 to $25 per hour. Santa Clara County hospitals and clinics follow state schedules; the county adds no additional local healthcare wage floor.
Santa Clara County Ordinance NS-1100, adopted in 2008 as the first county-level bag ban in the nation, prohibits single-use plastic carryout bags in unincorporated areas and requires a paper-bag charge. California SB-270 and AB-1162 (2024) now mirror the rule statewide.
Santa Clara County Ordinance NS-300.881 bars food vendors and county facilities in unincorporated areas from using expanded polystyrene foam containers, cups, plates, and trays. California AB-1276 (Public Resources Code section 42273) and SB-54 extend parallel statewide standards to all cities.
California AB-1884 (Public Resources Code section 42270) and AB-1276 make Santa Clara County a straws-on-request jurisdiction. Restaurants countywide cannot auto-distribute single-use plastic straws; disability requests must be accommodated without burden under state and federal law.
California AB-1276 (Health and Safety Code §42270 et seq.) prohibits full-service and takeout food facilities from providing single-use utensils, straws, or condiment packets unless requested by the customer. Santa Clara County DEH enforces locally.
California Civil Code §1954.603 requires every Santa Clara County landlord to give new tenants a written bed-bug information notice and disclose known infestations. SCC DEH and city code enforcement respond to habitability complaints; treatment cost normally falls on the landlord.
Under California Health and Safety Code §113948, every food handler in Santa Clara County must obtain an ANSI-accredited food handler card within 30 days of hire. Cards are valid for three years. SCC DEH inspectors verify compliance during routine retail food inspections countywide.
Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health inspects every restaurant, market, and mobile food facility countywide and posts a numerical inspection score and report online. Unlike LA, SCC uses risk-based scoring rather than letter grades; sub-standard facilities may face closure.
Santa Clara County Vector Control District handles outdoor rodent surveillance and resident complaints countywide, while SCC DEH addresses food-facility infestations. California AB-1788 bans second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides for non-licensed users to protect raptors and other wildlife.
California Health & Safety Code §118286 bans home-generated sharps in trash or recycling. Santa Clara County Public Health distributes free SHARP containers and operates syringe exchange and drop-off sites countywide. Mail-back kits are also available through the program.
Santa Clara County Public Health's Healthy Stores program partners with corner stores and small markets to stock fresh produce, low-sugar beverages, and whole-grain items. Participation is voluntary, with technical assistance, signage, and refrigeration grants offered to qualifying retailers.
FDA menu labeling under 21 CFR §101.11 requires chain restaurants of 20 or more locations to post calorie counts on menus and menu boards. Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health enforces compliance during routine food facility inspections.
California Civil Code §3482.5 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance suits after three years of consistent activity. SCC layers this with the Williamson Act and agricultural preserves in Coyote Valley and the Gilroy-Morgan Hill area.
Santa Clara County Code Title C Zoning establishes A (Exclusive Agriculture) and AR (Agricultural Ranchlands) districts for unincorporated areas. Williamson Act contracts further restrict prime farmland in Coyote Valley, San Martin, and the Gilroy growing belt to agricultural use.
Santa Clara County has no mandatory retrofit ordinance for non-ductile concrete buildings in unincorporated areas. The County Office of Emergency Services maintains a voluntary inventory and supports ASCE 41-17 evaluation, while no countywide mandate parallels San Francisco or Berkeley.
California SB-721 (apartments) and SB-326 (HOA condos) require periodic inspection of exterior elevated elements like balconies, decks, and walkways. Santa Clara County Planning and Development enforces in unincorporated areas; first inspections were due January 1, 2025.
California Vehicle Code Section 22658 governs private-property towing; tow operators serving Santa Clara County Sheriff calls must qualify for the Official Police Garage rotation, meeting equipment, response time, storage, and rate-posting standards.
Unincorporated Santa Clara County restricts adult businesses to specific commercial zones under Title C, requiring buffers from schools, churches, parks, residences, and other adult uses, plus county business licensing and operator permits.
California Business and Professions Code Section 4600 et seq. preempts most local massage licensing through the CAMTC; Santa Clara County still requires a business license, zoning compliance, and adds local sanitation and inspection rules for unincorporated establishments.
Tattoo, piercing, branding, and permanent cosmetics in Santa Clara County require Department of Environmental Health Body Art permits; California Penal Code Section 653 prohibits tattooing anyone under 18 statewide.
Santa Clara County's Tobacco Retail License ordinance NS-300.789, among California's strongest, requires every tobacco and vape retailer in unincorporated areas to hold an annual license, caps density, and bans new tobacco retail near schools.
Smoke shops in unincorporated Santa Clara County must hold a Tobacco Retail License and comply with Ordinance NS-300.913, which bans the sale of all flavored tobacco and vape products including menthol, predating California's statewide ban.
California Business and Professions Code Section 21626 requires secondhand dealers to register with local law enforcement, hold tangible items 30 days, and report acquisitions daily; the Santa Clara County Sheriff administers registration for unincorporated areas.
Pawnbrokers in California operate under Financial Code Section 21000 et seq., requiring state licensing through the Department of Justice plus local law enforcement registration; Santa Clara County Sheriff handles reporting for unincorporated areas.
Santa Clara County Title C zoning prohibits commercial auto repair as a home occupation in residential zones; mechanics may service their own vehicles inside an enclosed garage but cannot operate a paid auto repair business from a home.
Santa Clara County Code Title B and California Penal Code Section 647 prohibit aggressive solicitation in unincorporated areas, including blocking pedestrians, threatening conduct, touching, or soliciting near ATMs, bus stops, and outdoor dining. Passive panhandling remains protected speech, but aggressive conduct is enforced by the Sheriff.
Santa Clara County Code Title D public-health provisions and California Penal Code Section 647(c) prohibit urinating or defecating in any public place or on private property visible from a public way. Violations are infractions starting around $250, enforced by the Sheriff and the County Public Health Department.
Skateboarding in unincorporated Santa Clara County is restricted to designated park facilities under Title M, while California Vehicle Code Section 21212 requires riders under eighteen to wear a helmet on any street, bikeway, or trail. San Jose, Sunnyvale, and other cities add downtown and plaza-specific bans.
Santa Clara County Code Title B and California Penal Code Section 415 treat loud or unruly gatherings as a public nuisance. Several cities, including San Jose and Sunnyvale, layer second-response cost-recovery ordinances that bill hosts, owners, and adult residents for repeat law-enforcement responses after a written warning.
Santa Clara County does not prohibit loitering itself because vague loitering bans violate the First and Fourth Amendments. Only narrow loitering-with-intent conduct is reachable under California Penal Code Sections 647(b) and 647(h), consistent with Papachristou v. Jacksonville and City of Chicago v. Morales.
Santa Clara County Smoke-Free Air Ordinance NS-300.821, codified in Title D, is among California's strongest county-level smoke-free rules. It bans tobacco, vaping, and cannabis smoking in unincorporated multi-unit housing, outdoor dining, public events, parks, and within thirty feet of doorways and air intakes.
California Assembly Bill 2147, the Freedom to Walk Act, amended Vehicle Code Section 21955 effective January 2023. Crossing midblock outside a marked crosswalk is now an infraction only when an immediate hazard of collision exists. The Santa Clara County Sheriff applies the statewide standard in unincorporated areas.
California Health and Safety Code Section 11362.3 prohibits smoking, vaping, or consuming cannabis in any public place, anywhere tobacco smoking is banned, and within one thousand feet of a school, daycare, or youth center while children are present. The Sheriff enforces a $100 infraction in unincorporated areas.
California Business and Professions Code Section 25620 makes possessing an open container of alcohol in any public place an infraction. Santa Clara County Code Title B separately bans drinking in unincorporated parks, beaches at Vasona and Calero reservoirs, and public rights-of-way without a permit. The Sheriff and park rangers enforce.
Santa Clara County Planning operates under the Comprehensive General Plan with mandatory state elements plus area-specific plans for South County, Rural Unincorporated Areas, and the Stanford Community Plan. These overlay Title C base zoning across all unincorporated land.
Projects setting aside affordable units in unincorporated Santa Clara County qualify for state-mandated density bonuses, parking reductions, and concessions under California Government Code Section 65915, implemented locally through Title C zoning provisions, with bonuses now up to 80 percent.
Valley Water (Santa Clara Valley Water District) sets countywide conservation rules requiring outdoor irrigation only on assigned days, banning watering during daytime hours, and tightening cuts during declared droughts. Retailers like San Jose Water enforce locally with surcharges.
Valley Water and partner retailers operate recycled water programs distributing tertiary-treated water through purple-pipe systems for irrigation and industrial use. South Bay Water Recycling and the SVAWPC supply Santa Clara County under California Code Title 22 standards.
Santa Clara County imposes a business license tax on businesses operating in unincorporated areas. Each SCC city operates an independent business tax with varying rate structures; San Jose's Business Tax Ordinance is largest, generating millions annually.
Santa Clara County has not adopted a Measure ULA-style mansion tax on high-value real estate transfers. The California Documentary Transfer Tax under Revenue and Taxation Code §11911 sets the baseline rate for SCC property conveyances.
Santa Clara County has not adopted a vacant-property tax on long-empty residential or commercial units. No SCC city has enacted a vacancy tax, leaving owners unaffected by Oakland-style or San Francisco-style penalties on prolonged vacancy.
Santa Clara County imposes limited inclusionary housing requirements in unincorporated areas. Major SCC cities including San Jose, Mountain View, Cupertino, and Palo Alto adopted their own commercial linkage fees and inclusionary ordinances at varying rates.
Santa Clara County has no countywide parking tax in unincorporated areas. San Jose imposes a 10% parking-tax on commercial parking facilities. Other SCC cities have not enacted similar taxes, making San Jose the primary venue for parking taxation.
Planting any tree in a Santa Clara County parkway, the strip between sidewalk and curb on county-maintained roads, requires an encroachment permit and approved species selection from the County Roads and Airports approved street tree list.
Santa Clara County Ordinance NS-300.847 protects heritage oaks, native sycamores, redwoods, buckeyes, and other native species in unincorporated areas. Removal requires permits, mitigation planting, and arborist reports. Cities including Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Saratoga add comparable protected lists.
The OneSCC Sustainability Master Plan and county Climate Roadmap 2030 set urban forest equity goals tied to heat-vulnerable neighborhoods. Targets include doubling canopy cover in low-income areas through partnerships with cities, Valley Water, and Our City Forest.
California provides statewide protections for native oak woodlands and heritage trees through CEQA review, Public Resources Code, and Forest Practice Rules that apply uniformly.
Santa Clara County Title B noise standards measure complaints in dBA, which underweights low-frequency bass. Code enforcement may use dBC slow-response measurements when bass complaints persist, especially from car stereos, nightclub subwoofers, and residential parties.
Helicopter noise over Santa Clara County is regulated by the FAA, not by county ordinance. SCC Title B noise rules cannot bind aircraft in flight; complaints route to the FAA Western-Pacific Region or the operator's voluntary noise hotline.
Santa Clara County Title B limits construction equipment noise in unincorporated areas to weekday daytime hours and caps levels at the property line. Cities like San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Cupertino adopt their own stricter or comparable construction noise ordinances.
Truck noise on Santa Clara County roads is governed by California Vehicle Code sections 23130 and 27007, capping engine and stereo noise. SCC unincorporated commercial zones add early-morning loading restrictions enforced by Title B.
Helicopter routes across Santa Clara County are set by FAA NorCal TRACON, not by county or city ordinance. San Jose Mineta International publishes voluntary noise abatement procedures, and Reid-Hillview maintains preferred corridors over commercial zones.
San Jose Mineta International and Reid-Hillview Airport restrict aircraft engine run-ups during nighttime hours under voluntary noise abatement procedures. Pilots must use designated run-up pads, and ground operations are governed by airport rules under FAA Part 150 noise compatibility plans.
Hospital helipads in Santa Clara County operate under California Department of Public Health licensing and FAA flight rules. SCC Title B governs ground noise but cannot restrict emergency arrivals. Stanford, Valley Medical, and Good Samaritan operate active helipads.
Bars and nightclubs in unincorporated Santa Clara County must operate under a Conditional Use Permit with noise conditions. ABC licensing and 45 dBA night limits at residential apply.
HVAC noise in Santa Clara County must comply with 55/45 dBA residential limits at neighbor property lines. New installations often need acoustic screening and setback compliance.
Generators in Santa Clara County are allowed for emergency use during PSPS and outages, but routine testing must meet 55/45 dBA limits. Permanent standby units need building permits.
Santa Clara County imposes a Transient Occupancy Tax under Title B on hotel stays in unincorporated areas. Cities collect their own TOT at higher rates: San Jose 10%, Sunnyvale 12.5%, Mountain View 10%, with funds supporting general operations and tourism.
Santa Clara County and its cities have not enacted hotel worker retention ordinances similar to Los Angeles or Long Beach. Hotel workers in SCC rely on California Labor Code protections and union contracts rather than mandatory retention rules during ownership transitions.
Santa Clara County's Living Wage Policy requires county service contractors to pay minimum living wages and provide health benefits. The policy covers contractors providing services to the county, not hotels broadly, which fall under city wage rules.
Santa Clara County has no equivalent to Los Angeles Municipal Code 41.18 anti-camping ordinance. SCC cities vary: San Jose enforces narrow obstruction rules, Sunnyvale prohibits public camping, while unincorporated SCC relies on Sheriff's discretion under state public-nuisance law.
Santa Clara County unincorporated has no sit-lie ordinance. SCC cities maintain limited rules subject to Martin v. Boise and Grants Pass v. Johnson constitutional limits, blocking enforcement when shelter capacity is unavailable.
Santa Clara County operates the CA-501 Continuum of Care coordinating encampment response across cities. Major operations including Vallco and Coyote Creek follow phased outreach, sanitation, and rehousing protocols rather than immediate sweeps.
Santa Clara County's Continuum of Care operates bridge housing through Project Homekey hotel conversions, navigation centers, and tiny-home villages. SB-9 and AB-2011 streamlining accelerate affordable conversions in commercial corridors with reduced CEQA review.
Filming on Santa Clara County roads or property requires a county film permit through the Office of the County Executive. Cities including San Jose, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale operate independent film offices with separate fees and insurance requirements.
Santa Clara County and most cities offer reduced or waived filming fees for verified student productions from accredited institutions. San Jose, Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Stanford-area filming follows streamlined student permit processes with faster turnaround.
Parades on Santa Clara County roads require permits from Roads and Airports plus Sheriff coordination for traffic control. Cities including San Jose, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale issue parade permits independently under their own municipal codes.
Santa Clara County's permanent outdoor dining programs vary by city. San Jose Al Fresco transitioned pandemic parklets to a permanent program in 2024, while Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale operate parallel programs with separate design and permit standards.
Santa Clara County does not classify any palm species as heritage or protected by default. Palms only gain protection when individually designated as a heritage tree, located in a public right-of-way, or sited in a riparian protection zone managed by Valley Water.
Ailanthus altissima, the host plant of the spotted lanternfly, is a Cal-IPC high-rated invasive that Santa Clara County's Agricultural Commissioner monitors. Property owners are urged to remove seedlings promptly to slow spread along creeks and roadsides.
Santa Clara County does not have specific bamboo restriction ordinances. California does not regulate bamboo statewide. Bamboo that encroaches on neighboring properties may be addressed as a nuisance under California Civil Code.
Santa Clara County follows CDFA and Cal-IPC invasive plant lists. Notable invasive species in the area include yellow starthistle, French broom, pampas grass, and English ivy. The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority actively manages invasive species on public lands.
California AB 2561 (2022) protects front-yard vegetable gardens. Santa Clara County residents can grow food in front yards. The county and many cities encourage drought-tolerant landscaping, including edible gardens, through the MWELO and water district rebate programs.
California Penal Code §632 requires two-party consent for confidential audio recording. Santa Clara County doorbell-camera owners may legally record video of visitors but must avoid recording private audio conversations without disclosure or consent.
California Civil Code §1798.90 (SB-34) sets minimum privacy rules for automated license plate reader systems. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office posts an ALPR usage and retention policy and limits sharing of plate data with outside agencies.
Residential security cameras are legal in Santa Clara County without a permit. California's all-party consent law applies to audio recording. Video recording in public and on your own property is legal, but cameras must not target private areas.
California is an all-party consent state. All parties to a confidential conversation must consent to audio recording under Penal Code §632. Video recording in public is legal. Violations are misdemeanors with civil damages of $5,000 per violation.
Santa Clara County allows fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards. Front-yard fences are limited to 3 feet (solid) or 4 feet (open). Fences under 7 feet do not require a building permit. Retaining walls over 4 feet require permits and engineering.
Santa Clara County has no countywide HPOZ. A handful of cities run their own heritage districts, including Mountain View's Whisman and Old Mountain View, plus Palo Alto's Professorville, where overlay design review applies to exterior changes.
Santa Clara County maintains a Heritage Resource Inventory under SCC Ordinance NS-1200.27. Landmarked properties receive county Historical Heritage Commission review before alteration, demolition, or relocation, and qualify for state Mills Act tax relief.
California Government Code §50280 lets local governments grant property tax reductions to owners of designated historic properties who sign ten-year preservation contracts. Santa Clara County and several cities offer Mills Act programs, with savings averaging 40 to 60 percent.
Demolition of a designated Santa Clara County heritage resource triggers full CEQA review and a Heritage Commission stay of up to 180 days. Loss of historic fabric is treated as a significant environmental impact requiring mitigation or mandatory findings of override.
Santa Clara County operates no countywide systematic rental inspection program. San Jose runs the Multiple Housing Program inspecting buildings of three or more units. Other cities and unincorporated areas rely on complaint-driven enforcement.
California Code of Regulations Title 17 §17920.10 defines lead hazards as substandard housing. Santa Clara County Public Health's Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program coordinates blood-lead screening, source identification, and abatement orders for lead-impacted homes.
California Streets and Highways Code 5610 makes abutting property owners responsible for sidewalk repair in unincorporated Santa Clara County, with county-issued repair notices.
Santa Clara County prohibits blocking public sidewalks with vehicles, overgrown vegetation, merchandise, or debris under county ordinances and CVC 22500(f).
In Santa Clara County, one-story detached accessory structures (sheds) not exceeding 120 square feet do not require a building permit if they have no utilities. Larger sheds require permits. All sheds must comply with zoning setbacks.
Decks under 200 square feet, under 30 inches above grade, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving a required exit door do not require a permit. Larger or elevated decks require building permits in Santa Clara County.
Fences under 7 feet do not require a building permit in Santa Clara County. Retaining walls over 4 feet require permits. Front-yard fences are limited to 3-4 feet depending on whether solid or open.
Renovation work involving structural changes, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical modifications requires a building permit in Santa Clara County. Cosmetic work does not. ADU conversions follow streamlined state permitting requirements.
Santa Clara County Code Enforcement handles violations in unincorporated areas through the Department of Planning and Development. Reports can be filed online or by calling (408) 299-5770. Within cities, each municipality has its own enforcement division.
Santa Clara County prioritizes code enforcement complaints by severity. Health and safety hazards receive expedited response within 1-3 days. Standard violations are investigated within 5-15 business days with compliance periods of 30-90 days.
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.