Summary of Residential
Zoning Standards
This page includes zoning standards for all residential zoning districts in Sunnyvale. Most of the single family homes in Sunnyvale are in the R-0, R-1, or R-2 zoning districts. Please refer to the Setback and Zoning Requirements for R-0, R-1, and R-2 Zoning Districts brochure for a graphic display of the development standards.
R-0
|
1st Story Front Setback - 20 ft. |
Max. Height – 30 ft. 2 stories |
|
2nd Story Front Setback - 25 ft. |
Max. Lot Coverage – 40% |
|
1st Story Side Setback - 4 ft. min. 12 ft. total |
Floor Area Ratio* – 45% |
|
2nd Story Side Setback - 7 ft. min. 18 ft. total |
Min. Lot Area – 6,000 s.f. |
|
Rear Setback– 20 ft. |
Max. Density – 1/ 6,000 s.f. |
* Floor Area Ratios above 45% or where the gross floor area exceeds 4,050 square feet must be reviewed by the Planning Commission.
Corner lots require a 9 ft. setback along the reducible front yard.
R-1
|
1st Story Front Setback– 20 ft. |
Max. Height – 30 ft. 2 stories |
|
2nd Story Front Setback – 25 ft. |
Max. Lot Coverage – 40% |
|
1st Story Side Setback - 6 ft. min. 15 ft. total |
Floor Area Ratio* - 45% |
|
2nd Story Side Setback - 9 ft. min. 21 ft. total |
Min. Lot Area – 8,000 s.f. |
|
Rear Setback– 20 ft. |
Max. Density – 1 / 8,000 s.f. |
* Floor Area Ratios above 45% or where the gross floor area exceeds 4,050 square feet must be reviewed by the Planning Commission.
Corner lots require a 9 ft. setback along the reducible front yard.
R-1.5
|
Front Setback– 20 ft. |
Max Height – 30 ft. 2 stories |
|
1st Story Side Setback -4 ft. min. 12 ft. total |
Max. Lot Coverage – 40% |
|
Max. FAR – 50% |
|
|
2nd Story Side Setback - 7 ft. min. 18 ft. total |
Min. Lot Area – 4,200 s.f. |
|
Rear – 20 ft. |
Max. Density – 1 / 4,200 s.f. |
Corner lots require a 9 ft. setback along the reducible front yard.
R-1.7/PD
|
Front Setback – 20 ft. |
Max Height – 30 ft. 2 stories |
|
1st Story Side Setback - 4 ft. min. 12 ft. total |
Max. Lot Coverage – 40% |
|
Max. FAR – 50% |
|
|
2nd Story Side Setback - 7 ft. min. 18 ft. total |
Min. Lot Area – 2,600 s.f., not to exceed 4,000 s.f. |
|
Rear – 20 ft. |
Max. Density – 1 unit/2,600 s.f. |
Corner lots require a 9 ft. setback along the reducible front yard.
Minimum site area for this zone is 2 acres.
R-2
|
Front Setback– 20 ft. |
Max Height – 30 ft. 2 stories |
|
2nd Story Front Setback – 25 ft. |
Max. Lot Coverage – 40% |
|
1st Story Side Setback - 4 ft. min. 12 ft. total |
Floor Area Ratio* - 45%
|
|
2nd Story Side Setback - 7 ft. min. 18 ft. total |
Min. Lot Area – 8,000 s.f. |
|
Rear Setback– 20 ft. |
Max. Density – 1 / 3,600 s.f. |
* Maximum Floor Area Ratio for duplexes or multi-unit properties is 55%. Floor Area Ratios above 45% or where the gross floor area exceeds 4,050 square feet must be reviewed by the Planning Commission.
Corner lots require a 9 ft. setback along the reducible front yard.
R-3
|
Front Setback– 20 ft. |
Max Height – 30 ft. 2 stories |
|
1st Story Side Setback - 6 ft. min. 15 ft. total |
Max. Lot Coverage – 40% |
|
2nd Story Side Setback - 9 ft. min. 21 ft. total |
Min. Lot Area – 8,000 s.f. |
|
Rear Setback – 20 ft. |
Max. Density – 1 / 1,800 s.f. |
For lots of 8,000 s.f. or less, a sliding density scale applies. Please see SMC 19.30.040.
R-4
|
Front Setback– 20 ft. |
Max Height – 55 ft. 4 stories |
|
1st Story Side Setback - 9 ft. min. 20 ft. total |
Max. Lot Coverage – 40% |
|
2nd Story Side Setback - See Notes at bottom. |
Min. Lot Area – 8,000 s.f. |
|
Rear Setback– 20 ft. |
Max. Density – 1 / 1,200 s.f. |
For lots of 24,000 s.f. or less, a sliding density scale applies. Please see SMC 19.30.040.
R-5
|
Front Setback– 20 ft. |
Max Height – 55 ft. 4 stories |
|
1st Story Side Setback -9 ft. min. 20 ft. total |
Max. Lot Coverage – 40% |
|
2nd Story Side Setback - See Notes at bottom. |
Min. Lot Area – 8,000 s.f. |
|
Rear – 20 ft. |
Max. Density – 1 unit / 950 s.f. |
For lots of 24,000 s.f. or less, a sliding density scale applies. Please see SMC 19.30.040.
DEFINITIONS
Lot Coverage – land area covered by all buildings on a lot. Measurements are taken from the outer walls of each building, including corridors, supporting columns, unsupported wall projects and enclosed or unenclosed patios and porches where the roof is more than 50 % solid.
Reducible Front Yard – the longer street side of any corner lot, regardless of the orientation of the house.
Floor Area Ratio (FAR) – ratio of the gross floor area (including covered parking) divided by the net lot area.
Required Rear Yard Area – Area found by multiplying 20 ft. by the lot width.
PD (Planned Development) – A combining district that provides for modifications or additional limitations to the base zoning district’s development standards.
NOTES
In the Rear Yards, buildings may encroach up to 10 ft. into the required 20 ft. setback and cover up to 25% of the required rear yard area. This is allowed only if the total lot coverage is less than 40%.
Single Family Lots in R-4 use the standards of the R-0 Zoning District
Duplex Lots in R-4 use the standards of the R-2 Zoning District.
All Corner Lots must maintain a 40 ft. vision triangle clear of any objects greater than 3 ft. in height. Please see the "Vision Triangles" brochure.
Multi-Family Developments of 3 or more units must increase each side yard by 3 ft. for each story above the first, as measured from ground level.
Lots in the R-1.5 Zone are allowed zero lot lines. A minimum of 12 ft. from side wall to side wall is required between adjoining homes. Please see SMC 19.32.020 for further details.
Questions?
Call or visit the One-Stop Permit Center at City Hall. Planners are available to assist you between the hours of 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This handout is intended to be a general description of accessory living units. For specific information, consult Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapters 19.30, 19.32, 19.34 and 19.48.