New Home Construction in Sunnyvale, CA
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Rebuilding in Sunnyvale
Most new homes in Sunnyvale replace postwar houses on established lots. Every new dwelling goes through design review, and two-story homes get public notice with a 14-day comment period and an on-site streetscape posting. Sunnyvale’s July 2026 objective design standards now guide new single-family design.
Sunnyvale design review triggers: any new home; first-story additions over 50% of existing floor area; any new second-story floor area; new or changed second-story decks or balconies; new, moved or enlarged second-story windows other than street-facing; and major front-elevation or porch changes. One-story projects are decided by staff without notice. Two-story projects and second-story additions get public notice with a 14-day comment period, and the on-site posting must show a streetscape elevation with the houses on each side. Projects over the floor-area threshold go to a Planning Commission hearing. Sunnyvale adopted new single-family objective design standards in July 2026, so we confirm the current floor-area figures with the Permit Center for your lot.
Construction in Progress
Ask us about recent new-home and rebuild projects during your consultation.
New-Home Requirements
- All-electric construction under Sunnyvale’s 2020 code for most new buildings; we confirm current status with the City.
- Fire sprinklers in all new homes, with Department of Public Safety fire review.
- Single-Story Combining Districts limit new homes to one story, 17 feet and 45% FAR where mapped.
- Protected tree permits for trees 38 inches or more in circumference.
- City water, sourced from the San Francisco regional system, Valley Water and City wells, with Cal Water in a few small areas.
- Sunnyvale School District Certificate of Compliance.
City Hall, 456 W. Olive Avenue, 2nd floor (north entrance), Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Building Safety (408) 730-7444 · Planning (408) 730-7440
Weekdays 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. Applications, uploads, payments and inspections run through E-OneStop Online Services. Building inspections: online or (408) 730-7790; the general contractor schedules and attends every inspection.
Explore More
Other Sunnyvale services: Bathrooms · Kitchens · Additions · Sunnyvale ADU builder · Sunnyvale overview
Same service nearby: Santa Clara · Mountain View · Cupertino
See our custom home builder page.
Sunnyvale New Home Construction FAQ
Does a new home need design review in Sunnyvale?
Yes. Every new dwelling goes through design review.
Are two-story new homes noticed to neighbors?
Yes, with a 14-day comment period and an on-site streetscape posting.
Must new homes be all-electric?
Sunnyvale adopted an all-electric code for most new construction in 2020; we confirm current status for your permit.
Who issues permits?
The City of Sunnyvale One-Stop Permit Center.