Our customer driven services for business is a top priority for the City. We understand your needs to move quickly to complete your projects, and we can cut red tape without cutting corners. We continually work to streamline our services so that you get results.

LOW TAXES & FEES 

Business Taxes

*No Payroll tax
*Business license tax ranges from $30 minimum to $7,000 maximum every two years (an additional $56 service charge is added to tax)
*Low 2% utility tax is one-third of California average; assessed only on gas, electric and intrastate telephone services.

Municipal Utilities

*Water, garbage and sewer rates are among the lowest in the region.
*Rates are based on the cost of services-you pay only for what you use.
*No revenues from Sunnyvale utilities pay for non-utility services.

 Property Tax

*Capped at 1% of full assessed value by state law

 Low Transient Occupancy Tax

*The city’s hotel tax is 9%-this rate is 1.5% below the Bay Area average.

ADVANTAGE PERMIT PROCESS

One Stop, One Day Permit Center

*All City development services are at one convenient location.
*90% of Sunnyvale building permits are issued in the same day "over the counter."
*All of your planning/zoning, building safety, fire and public works permit requirements are coordinated by a Sunnyvale customer service representative assigned to your project to expedite the review and approval process.
*The Epermit process allows companies to access all these services at the click of a mouse.

Rapid Turnaround on Complex Plans

*Unparalleled turnaround time for development allows your project to move faster and increase your ability to focus on other key issues.
*The Sunnyvale fast track "Advantage" process is provided to meet your special time to market and manufacturing deadlines.
*Pre-application and biotech team meetings are provided so that we can work with you in the design of your project to avoid delays.
*The City’s building codes are coordinated with other Silicon Valley cities to achieve common standards and reduce permitting time.

EXCELLENT UTILITY AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES

Sunnyvale has earned a national reputation for efficiently providing high quality service and is considered a model for results-oriented municipal management. The City’s commitment to excellent service provides a strong and supportive environment for business and industry located in Sunnyvale.

Reliable High Quality Water Systems

*Sunnyvale receives its water from three independent sources assuring an ample and dependable supply.
*A High quality supply provides an excellent base for any additional water finishing treatment needed by high technology manufacturing and research.

Long Term Solutions for Solid Waste

*The City has more than 30 years of environmentally safe and cost-effective solid waste landfill disposal.
*The innovative Sunnyvale Materials Recovery and Transfer (SMaRT) Station has enabled the City to cut solid waste disposal nearly in half, thus holding solid waste costs in check.
*The City's state-of-the art water pollution control system has capacity to handle flows well in excess of projected build-out in Sunnyvale.
*The innovative Sunnyvale Materials Recovery and Transfer (SMaRT) Station has enabled the City to cut solid waste disposal nearly in half, thus holding solid waste costs in check.
*Additionally our water reclamation program will reclaim up to 20% of its discharge for landscape irrigation.
*Commercial Recycling Program - Waste assessments conducted at business sites.  Written recycling recommendations and a cost saving analysis is provided.  Business recycling assistance is also provided via phone or e-mail.

Back to Economic Development