IMPORTANT: The state of California moved Santa Clara County, along with 40 other counties, from TIER ORANGE (Tier 3) back to the most restrictive TIER PURPLE (Tier ONE). The County has issued a Stay at Home order effective Sunday, Dec. 6. Our staff is reviewing the new guidelines and making relevant changes. We update the information on this page to reflect any changes on an ongoing basis.
Orders are in place statewide requiring people to stay home except as necessary to maintain or access critical systems and services.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
COVID-19 Testing
Download the CA Notify App - Stop the spread and save lives by getting COVID-19 exposure notifications
If you need help, here are some resources:
Check the City’s calendar for specific event listings and this page and City social media channels for service updates.
Shelter in place County orders
Frequently Asked Questions About Shelter in Place and COVID-19
Visit Silicon Valley Strong - Find out how to get help, volunteer your time or donate.
Register for AlertSCC to get emergency notifications.
Plan your family's response to emergencies.
Monitor the latest updates and get facts and answers to frequently asked questions about novel coronavirus from these reputable sources:
These resources are currently available for all older adults:
For these services, or if you have a need not listed, email Senior Services or call at 408-730-7360.
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Provides emergency assistance, financial assistance, referral services and food programs to families, individuals and seniors living in Sunnyvale. Call 408-738-4321 if:
Sunnyvale Community Services - 408-738-4321
Find out if you qualify for emergency food assistance, financial help or other benefits. (Sunnyvale residents only – referrals for other cities available)
You could qualify for help if you are:
Gather the following documentation to speed up the process:
Destination: Home
This agency has temporary financial assistance available to help low-income residents who have lost income and are unable to pay rent as a result of COVID-related impacts.
Emergency Eviction Moratorium
The City Council approved a temporary emergency eviction moratorium on March 31. The moratorium prohibits residential evictions as of March 12, 2020 if a tenant is unable to pay rent during the COVID-19 emergency. The tenant must show proof of hardship to their landlord and pay back all rent within 180 days after the local emergency has ended. The County of Santa Clara’s eviction moratorium extends protection to small businesses. Tenants needing assistance communicating with their landlord should contact Project Sentinel. For general questions about the eviction moratorium, contact the City's Housing Division.
Santa Clara County COVID-19 Assistance Navigation
Questions about unemployment insurance, disability, paid family leave and other programs? Need help applying for these and other safety net programs? Call
the County's new free hotline, leave a message and you'll get a call back within 24 hours. Support is available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese with more languages to come. Call: 408-809-2124.
State of California Labor & Workforce Development Agency
Provides coronavirus guidance and information on reduced work hours, potential closure or layoffs, and tax assistance, and more.
State Department Employment Development Department
Workers may qualify for unemployment or disability benefits if they are impacted by COVID-19.
A Regional Stay-at-Home Order in Santa Clara County was issued on Dec. 6, 2020. This Directive shall remain in effect until 12:01 a.m. on the day after the California Department of Public Health announces that the County is no longer subject to the Regional Stay-at-Home Order, unless the County Health Officer otherwise rescinds, modifies, or extends this Directive. The following sectors must close:
The following sectors will have additional modifications in addition to 100% masking and physical distancing:
For more information:
Regional Stay Home Order
Changes for each sector
Mandatory Health Officer Directives for specific business sectors and activities are available to provide direction for different businesses.
See Capacity Limitations for information on how to calculate capacity for different types of businesses.
See also:
New Social Distancing Protocol Requirements
All businesses in Santa Clara County must fill out a Social Distancing Protocol and submit it to the County. The Protocol must be signed under penalty of perjury and will be posted online for public access.
Visit the County’s Social Distancing Protocol page for the form and instructions, and sign posting and Protocol distribution requirements.
Santa Clara County Letter to Businesses
Temporary Outdoor Dining
Temporary Outdoor Business
If you need to change your garbage and recycling services, or have questions about other utilities, call 408-730-7400.
Supporting Sunnyvale Businesses
In partnership with the Sunnyvale Downtown Association, the City is sharing information with the community on open essential businesses. If your business isn't on the list, email us.
Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is processing Economic Injury Disaster Loans to assist small businesses and non-profit agencies.
Local resources are available to assist with loan paperwork preparation. Contact any of the following agencies for free assistance.
Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program Round 2
A second round of applications will open at 8 a.m. Feb. 2 and will run through 6 p.m. Feb. 8. Applicants who submitted all necessary documents in the first round and met eligibility requirements, but did not receive a grant do not need to reapply. Their applications will be rolled over for consideration in the second round.
California Rebuilding Fund
The California Rebuilding Fund is a new program opened on Nov. 20 to support California’s small business owners as they adapt, reopen safely, and recover from the effects of COVID-19.
Shop Safe Shop Local
From the State of California find resources for your small business to operate safely and grow with offers and special technology tools to expand online with e-commerce.
State of California Labor & Workforce Development Agency
Provides coronavirus guidance and information on reduced work hours, potential closure or layoffs, and tax assistance, and more.
Cal/OSHA Guidance on Requirements to Protect Workers from COVID-19
Workplace safety and health regulations require employers to protect employees from infectious diseases by following safety requirements. Find the safety requirements for your business.
CDC Resources for Businesses and Employers
Guidance for businesses on how to plan, prepare and respond to the coronavirus.
Sunnyvale Senior Center
City Café meals available for pick-up and delivery for adults 50+. Pickup between 11 a.m. and noon. Free delivery during shelter in place between 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.
See details and current menu.
Santa Clara County Food Resources Searchable Map
Type in your address to get a list of food distribution sites – food banks and free meal pickup locations – close to your home. Map covers Santa Clara County.
Great Plates Meal Delivery Enrollment
Seniors and other adults at high risk from COVID-19 can stay home, stay healthy and get two nutritious meals delivered daily at home.
Support the many Sunnyvale restaurants and businesses that are open providing essential services.
Community Center Registration Office is Open
The Recreation Center front desk is OPEN for in-person or phone registration Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to answer any questions or take registrations: 408-730-7350. The Community Center buildings, restrooms and offices remain CLOSED to the public except for scheduled in-person classes.
Participation and COVID-19
We care about the health of our residents and participants and are implementing health and safety measures in response to COVID-19. We encourage you to consider personal health conditions and current public health authority recommendations before participating in live programs. Please review the Participant Illness & Wellness Requirements Policy. If you are uncomfortable with, or unable to attend live programs, check out our new virtual course offerings.
Holiday Gatherings and Travel Advisory
For the health of yourself, fellow participants and Sunnyvale staff, please adhere to the following holiday gatherings and travel advisories:
Virtual Activities
Virtual activities are being now being offered by the Library, Senior Center and Recreation Services. Subscribe to their newsletters for upcoming virtual activities.
In-person Activities
The Activity Guide is updated frequently as guidelines change and new classes are added. Registration is ongoing.
Staff reviewed the protocols for Santa Clara County’s newest Stay at Home order (Dec. 6) and to maintain alignment we are implementing the following changes:
Effective Monday, Dec. 7 the following programs are CANCELED. Participants will receive prorated refunds.
The following programs will continue to operate:
Events
All in-person events are CANCELED until further notice, including: Family Fall Fest, Hands on the Arts, Evenings of Cultural Arts and Breakfast with Santa.
For scheduled virtual events, refer to the City’s Calendar.
Sunnyvale Splash Aquatics
Fall Classes
Visit Activities Registration to see available classes.
Winter-Spring Classes
Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 16, visit Classes and Activities to see the newest guide. Registration opens Monday, Dec. 21.
Senior Center Classes and Activities
We have developed free online classes and programs for our community. To learn more view the current Senior Center Newsletter or subscribe to receive updates.
The Senior Center facility remains CLOSED.
City Council meetings are being held. Board and Commission meetings are subject to cancellations. Check the City’s Legislative Meetings Calendar for updates.
Ways to watch City Council meetings
Ways to make public comments
The City closed City Hall facilities to the public effective March 17 until further notice. We are continuing to provide essential services such as public safety and utilities.
One-Stop Permit Center: The permit counter is CLOSED. See Permit Center and Development Services for more details.
NOVA Job Center is CLOSED to the public until further notice. Visit NOVA for more information.
The Recreation Center is OPEN on a limited basis to the public Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for information and registration (see Classes, Activities, and Events for current program offerings). Access is limited to one patron at a time. Restrooms are not available to the public.
The following Community Center Facilities are CLOSED to the public until further notice, except for scheduled classes, including:
The Columbia Neighborhood Center is OPEN on a limited basis to the public Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for information and registration (see Classes, Activities, and Events for current program offerings). Access is limited to one patron at a time. Restrooms are not available to the public.
Starting June 10, the Library will offer Sidewalk Service. The Library also offers online activities: Subscribe to receive updates.
The Library facility is CLOSED and all in-person programs CANCELED until further notice.
Baylands Park is OPEN 8 a.m. to one half hour after sunset. Fees are not collected until further notice. Keep social distancing while walking on trails and in parking lot.
The museum is CLOSED until further notice.
Regular curb-side collection of garbage and recycling materials will continue, including on-call bulky item collection for single-family homes. On-call collection appointments include up to two cubic yards of non-hazardous household goods, plus two bulky items.
Single-family residents can leave up to two extra bags of garbage and flattened cardboard at the curb on collection day for no additional charge. A separate truck will pick up the extra bags and bundled cardboard so leave them out until collected.
The SMaRT Station® Recycling Center is OPEN to the public.
Read about SMaRT Station services, hours and safety protocols.
The CRV Buy-back Center is OPEN by appointment ONLY.
Schedule an appointment online or call 408-752-8530.
Businesses with Reduced Hours or Closed
If you need to change your garbage and recycling services, or have questions about other utilities, call 408-730-7400.
City Employment Opportunities:
NOVA Job Center: Remote services are available while the NOVA facility is CLOSED. Visit NOVA for more information.
We are evaluating what services can be phased in at the One-Stop Center at City Hall as a result of the updated County Health Order. Please check back frequently for updates on available services.
We continue to provide virtual support for existing permit applications and in-progress projects. Services includes Public Works, Planning, Building and Fire Prevention. Staff will review electronic applications remotely while the shelter in place order is in effect. Please be patient with delays. See below for the essential services being provided.
Permit Center Access During Civic Center Construction
The City Hall building entrance and parking area on Olive Avenue are not available due to construction. Please use the entrance and parking area on All America Way. For project and construction details, visit Civic Center Modernization.
Construction Site Protocols
All construction sites must adhere to the following protocols:
Building Permits
Planning Permits
The Planning Division is accepting all staff-level, public hearing and emergency tree removal applications electronically.
Submit completed applications to Planning:
Outdoor Uses
Temporary Outdoor Dining
Temporary Outdoor Business
Encroachment Permits
We are accepting all encroachment permit applications electronically. Submit completed applications as a PDF (no larger than 5 MB) or send using a file-sharing link to Public Works. Incomplete applications will delay processing.
Public Improvement Plans
After Planning approval, submit public improvement plans associated with development projects to Public Works.
For initial submittals, attach a completed offsite checklist and plans as a PDF (no larger than 5 MB) or send using a file-sharing link. We will contact you within two to three business days to schedule a virtual meeting to review the submittal.
Inspections
For more information email or call:
Building and Fire Prevention / One-Stop Permit Center - 408-730-7444
Planning - 408-730-7440
Public Works and Engineering Services - 408-730-7415
Housing – 408-730-7250
Effective June 22, the Utility Billing office is OPEN to the public from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Customers must wear face coverings and observe social distancing requirements.
Payments can be placed in the payment drop box – please do not leave cash.
Utility Customer Service is available by phone from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For daytime service, and after-hours water and sewer emergencies, call 408-730-7400.
