New Home Construction in Cupertino, CA
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Building New in Cupertino
New homes in Cupertino are mostly rebuilds on valley-floor lots and custom homes in the hillside RHS zone. Two-story designs follow the R1 two-story rules, and hillside homes follow the RHS slope formula and peer-reviewed geotechnical process.
Two-story homes and second-story additions (R1): the overall floor area ratio cap is 45% of net lot area, and homes are limited to 28 feet and two stories. Residential Design Review by the City’s consulting architect is triggered when the second floor is more than 66% of the first floor, or when second-story side setbacks are under 15 feet on a side or 30 feet combined. Second-story decks need a Minor Residential Permit with neighbor notice. A weatherproof notice board on a 5-foot post must stay up through the appeal period, and privacy planting is required within a 30-degree view cone from second-story side and rear windows with sills 5 feet or lower, unless the affected neighbor signs a waiver.
Construction in Progress
Ask us about recent new-home and rebuild projects during your consultation.
New-Home Submittal
- Site plan showing tree species and trunk diameters.
- Stamped MEP and structural plans, geotechnical report (two copies) and boundary survey.
- Title 24 forms, CalGreen checklist and Best Management Practices sheet.
- A privacy-planting affidavit from an arborist or landscape architect.
- Clearances from Santa Clara County Fire, Cupertino Sanitary District, Public Works and County Health where applicable.
- Fire sprinklers in all new homes. Cupertino treats removal of more than 75% of exterior walls or roof structure as new construction.
- Cupertino’s geologic maps show fault-rupture, slope-instability and liquefaction zones; check your parcel with the City’s property search.
10300 Torre Avenue, Cupertino, CA 95014 · City Hall (408) 777-3200
Building and Permit Center (408) 777-3228, pe**********@*******no.gov · Planning (408) 777-3308
Counter hours vary by weekday and close noon to 1, so check ahead. Inspections are scheduled in the Online Permit Service Portal, with an email confirmation and two-hour window before 7:30 a.m. A final inspection cannot be scheduled until the contractor and every subcontractor holds a Cupertino business license.
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Other Cupertino services: Bathrooms · Kitchens · Additions · Cupertino ADU builder · Cupertino overview
Same service nearby: Sunnyvale · Saratoga · Santa Clara
See our custom home builder page.
Cupertino New Home Construction FAQ
What counts as new construction in Cupertino?
Removing more than 75% of exterior walls or roof structure.
Is a privacy-planting affidavit required?
Yes, for two-story homes with qualifying second-story windows.
Are all-electric homes required?
Cupertino suspended enforcement of its all-electric code in May 2024.
What is the hillside floor-area limit?
In the RHS zone, floor area is capped at 6,500 sq ft by a slope formula.