City of Sunnyvale

Welcome to the City of Sunnyvale’s Building Division web site. The Building Division provides plan checking, permitting, and inspection services for new construction, additions, and remodels within the City of Sunnyvale. The Building Division is located at City Hall, 456 W. Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale.

Our goal in presenting this web site is to provide an effective and efficient way to answer frequently asked questions and provide general information about the One-Stop Permit Center, the process for obtaining building permits and standard requirements. However, if you do not find what you are looking for or have further questions, please feel free to contact us at (408) 730-7444 or e-mail us at building@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us.

Sincerely,

Ali Fatapour,

Chief Building Official

On-Line Services

The City of Sunnyvale is proud to be the first City to offer a full range of building permit services on-line at the E-OneStop. E-OneStop offers on-line building permit services include E-Permits, building inspection scheduling, building plan check status, building permit history, and zoning information. All of these services are provided entirely on-line without having to visit or contact the One-Stop Permit Center.

Current Codes

The City of Sunnyvale has adopted the following building codes:

· 2007 California Building Code (with local amendments)

· 2007 California Mechanical Code

· 2007 California Plumbing Code

· 2007 California Electrical Code

· 2007 California Fire Code (with local amendments)

· 2006 International Property Maintenance Code

· 2005 State of California Title 24 Energy Regulations

· Sunnyvale Municipal Code (including local amendments to the above adopted codes)

General Design Criteria

Sunnyvale is located mostly in Seismic Design Category D.
Basic wind speed is 85 mph, this can be verified with ASCE 05, Table 16-1. Most areas of Sunnyvale can be classified as wind exposure category B. However, some areas may meet the criteria for exposure C. The design professional is responsible for justifying the exposure selected for the specific area of construction.
For additions and remodels, the soil bearing pressure is based on 1,500 pounds per square foot, unless a higher value is justified by a soils report. All new construction and basement additions require a soils report regardless of the soil bearing pressure used.
The climate zone is Zone 4.
Rainfall design is based on two inches of rainfall per hour.
All new projects include the Blueprint for a Clean Bay plan sheet with the approved set of plans. The Blueprint for a Clean Bay (PDF) contains requirements for storm drain and storm water runoff protection during construction.
Seismic Hazards Mapping
Flood Zone Information
Licensed Professional Designer Requirements

On-Line Building Permit Services at E-OneStop

Storm Water Protection Requirements

Green Building Information

Floodplain Management

General Contacts/Phone Numbers