This chapter shall be known and may be cited and referred to as the "Residential Code for the City of Sunnyvale."
(Ord. 3008-13 § 2)
The 2024 International Residential Code in its entirety, as published by the International Code Council, Inc. and amendments to sections of the 2024 International Residential Code adopted by the State Building Standards Commission in California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 24, Part 2.5, known as the 2025 California Residential Code, is hereby adopted by reference, along with 2025 California Residential Code Appendices AA, BF, BG, and CI with changes and modifications as hereinafter set forth, as the residential code of the city of Sunnyvale.
(Ord. 3008-13 § 2; Ord. 3100-16 § 12; Ord. 3149-19 § 12; Ord. 3202-22 § 13; Ord. 3230-24, 8/27/2024; Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)
Note: Ord. 3008-13; Ord. 3100-16; Ord. 3149-19; and Ord. 3202-22 § 14, were repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025.
2025 California Residential Code Chapter 1 Division II is hereby amended as follows:
R101.2 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to grading and to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal, and demolitions of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures within the city, including all plumbing and drainage systems, mechanical systems, and electrical wiring and fire safety systems, or parts thereof, within and serving such building or structure, excluding therefrom the following:
(1) | Any building or structure located on real property belonging to: | |
(A) | United States of America, | |
(B) | State of California, or any political subdivision thereof, | |
(C) | Any chartered city or non-chartered city, or | |
(D) | Any school district, except when the proposed use is for non-classroom facilities; | |
(2) | Work located primarily in a public way; | |
(3) | Public utility towers and poles; | |
(4) | Mechanical equipment not specifically regulated in any of the codes; and | |
(5) | Hydraulic flood control structures. | |
Exception: The following shall be permitted to be constructed in accordance with this code where provided with an automatic sprinkler system complying with Section R309:
1. | Live/work units located in townhouses and complying with the requirements of Section 508.5 of the California Building Code. |
2. | Owner-occupied lodging houses with five or fewer guestrooms. |
3. | A care facility with five or fewer persons receiving custodial care within a dwelling unit. |
4. | A care facility with five or fewer persons receiving medical care within a dwelling unit. |
5. | A day care facility for five or fewer persons of any age receiving care within a dwelling unit. |
R105.3.2 Time Limitation of Application. An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been expired 180 days after the date of filing, unless such application has been pursued in good faith or a permit has been issued, the plans and other data submitted for review may thereafter be returned to the applicant or destroyed by the building official. The building official is authorized to grant one or more extensions of time for an additional period not exceeding 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated. In order to proceed with a project once an application has expired, a new application is required with new plan reviews fees and plans based on the code in effect at the time of the new application.
R105.5 Expiration.
(1) | On or after January 1, 2019, every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work on the site authorized by such permit is commenced within 12 months after its issuance, or if the work authorized on the site by such permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of 12 months after the time the work is commenced. The building official is authorized to grant, in writing, one or more extensions of time, for periods not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated. |
(2) | If a permit has expired, no work may be recommenced until a new permit is obtained. The fee for a new permit shall be one-half the amount required for a new permit for such work, provided no changes have been made or will be made in the original plans and specifications for such work, and provided further that the period of suspension or abandonment was not in excess of one year, in which case the permittee shall pay a new, full permit fee and plan review fee. |
(3) | Any permittee holding an unexpired permit may apply for an extension of the time within which to commence or complete work under the permit. Such requests must be submitted in writing. The building official is authorized to grant one or more extensions of time for periods not more than 180 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing, and justifiable cause shall be demonstrated. |
Note: Referenced Building Standards Law, Health and Safety Code Sections 18938.5 and 18938.6, for provisions related to expiration of permits.
R105.7 Placement of Permit. The building permit, along with all plans and documentation approved by the building official, shall be kept on the site of the work until final approval has been granted by the building official.
R106.5 Retention of Construction Documents. One set of approved construction documents shall be retained by the building official for the life of the building from the date of completion of the permitted work, or as referenced in the Health and Safety Code Sections 19850 and 19851.
R108.2 Schedule of Permit Fees. On buildings, structures, electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing systems, or alterations requiring a permit, a fee for each permit shall be paid as required by the current fee resolution approved by the city council.
R108.5 Refunds. The building official may authorize refunding of any fee paid hereunder which was erroneously paid or collected. The building official may authorize refunding of not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when the permit is canceled and no work has been done under a permit issued in accordance with this section. The building official may authorize refunding of the plan review fee paid with an application for a permit for which a plan review fee has been paid is withdrawn or canceled before any plan reviewing is done. The building official shall not authorize refunding of any fee paid except by written request filed by the original permittee and for building permits that are not expired.
R108.6 Work commencing before permit issuance. Whenever any work for which this code requires a permit has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, the fee for such permit shall be double the fee established by the current fee resolution approved by the city council.
R108.6.1. Investigation Fees: Work Without a Permit. Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit a special investigation may be made before a permit may be issued for such work.
R108.6.2. Fee. An investigation fee in addition to the permit fee shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee.
R108.7 Plan Review Fees. When a plan review is required a plan checking fee shall be paid at the time of submitting plans and specifications for checking. When submittal documents are incomplete or changed so as to require additional plan review or when the project involves deferred submittal items an additional plan review fee may be charged as deemed necessary by the building official at rate established in the current fee resolution adopted by the city council.
R109.1.5 Other inspections. In addition to the inspections specified above the building official may make or require other inspections of any construction work to ascertain compliance with the provisions of this code and other laws which are enforced by the code enforcement agency.
R109.5 Inspection Record Card. Work requiring a permit shall not be commenced until the permit holder or an agent of the permit holder has posted or otherwise made available the inspection record card issued by the building official such as to allow the building official to conveniently make the required entries thereon regarding inspection of the work. This card shall be maintained available by the permit holder until final approval has been granted by the building official.
R109.6 Reinspections. A reinspection fee may be assessed as deemed necessary by the building official for each inspection or reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called is not complete or when corrections called for are not made.
This section is not to be interpreted as requiring reinspection fees the first time a job is rejected for failure to comply with the requirements of this code, but as controlling the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or reinspection.
Reinspection fees may be assessed when the inspection records card is not posted or otherwise available on the work site, the approved plans are not readily available to the inspector, for failure to provide access on the date for which inspection is required, or for deviating from plans requiring the approval of the building official.
In instances where reinspection fees have been assessed, no additional inspection of the work will be performed until the required reinspection fees have been paid.
The reinspection fee shall be in accordance with the current fee resolution adopted by the city council.
R110.2 Certificate issued.
After the building official inspects the building or structure and finds no violations of the provisions of this code or other laws that the building safety division enforces, the building official shall either sign the approved inspection record card or issue a certificate of occupancy that contains the following:
1. | The building permit number. |
2. | The address of the structures. |
3. | A description of that portion of the structure for which the certificate is issued. |
4. | A statement that the described portion of the structure has been inspected for compliance with the requirements of this code for the occupancy and division of occupancy and the use for which the proposed occupancy is classified. |
5. | The name of the building official. |
6. | The edition of the code under which the permit was issued. |
7. | The use and occupancy, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 3. |
8. | The type of construction as defined in Chapter 6. |
9. | If an automatic sprinkler system is provided, whether the sprinkler system is required. |
10. | Any special stipulations and conditions of the building permit. |
R113.1 Unlawful acts. It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to perform any grading, or to relocate, replace, erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish, equip, use, occupy, or maintain any building or structure in the city, or to install or maintain any plumbing or drainage systems, or any mechanical systems, or any electrical wiring or fire safety systems in or about any building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures in the city, or cause the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of the administrative or technical code. Each such person is guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which a violation of any provision of any codes continued, or permitted by such person and shall be punishable accordingly.
Section R308 Address Identification
R308.1 Address Identification.
All entrances from the public streets of the city of Sunnyvale to buildings fronting thereon shall be numbered as provided in this chapter.
The numbers shall be placed upon, or immediately above or to one side of the door or gate or post of such entrance or shall be otherwise conspicuously located near said entrance so that the same shall be in plain view. Each character shall be a minimum 4 inches high and not less than 0.5 inch in width. They shall be installed on a contrasting background and be plainly visible from the street or road fronting the property.
Where access is by means of a private road and the building address cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other approved sign or means shall be used to identify the structure.
When required by the building official or fire marshal, address numbers and street names shall be provided in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response.
R308.2 Odd and even numbers. Where possible all numbers on the northerly and westerly sides of streets shall be odd numbers and all numbers on the southerly and easterly sides of streets shall be even numbers.
R308.3 Numbers designated by chief building official. It shall be the duty of the chief building official to designate the respective numbers for buildings or parcels of land fronting on streets heretofore laid out or extended.
R308.4 Display of numbers required. No owner, occupant, lessee, tenant or subtenant of any building having an entrance which fronts on a public street shall display any number of such building or entrance thereto other than the proper number designated by the chief building official and shall within five days after receiving notice of such designated number from the chief building official place the same upon or immediately above or to one side of the door, gate, post or entrance to such building or in some other conspicuous location as provided in this chapter.
R308.5 Placing of numbers at occupant's expense. It shall be the responsibility of both the owner and occupant of any building, at his expense, to cause the same to be numbered in accordance with this chapter.
R308.6 Permit required for numbers on streets, sidewalks or curb. No person shall place, maintain or permit to be placed or maintained any number, figure, letter, carving, drawing, design or other marking upon any street, sidewalk, parking place or curb in the city without first obtaining written authorization from the director of public works who shall have the authority to issue regulations and standards for such activity. The following requirements and conditions shall apply to all requests to conduct the service of curb identification marking:
(a) | No person shall engage in the business of painting numbers or other markings on curbs, which markings identify the street location of any structure within the city, without first obtaining a business license. |
(b) | Written consent and approval of the owner or occupant of the structure shall be obtained, prior to commencing any work, on forms which shall be approved by the director of public works. |
(c) | Markings shall be three and one-half inches to four inches in height of high gloss black enamel paint on a white background or of such dimensions, color and quality of materials as shall be approved by the director of public works. |
(d) | The authorization provided for herein may be revoked by the director of public works whenever he finds noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter or any regulation or standards promulgated by him pursuant to the authority granted herein. |
(Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)
Note: Ord. 3008-13; Ord. 3100-16; Ord. 3149-19; and Ord. 3202-22 § 14, were repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025.
2025 California Residential Code Chapter 2 is hereby amended to add the following terms as follows:
means the board created to hear and determine appeals from a decision or order of the chief building official. The city council shall serve as the board of appeals.
means the officer or other person charged with the administration and enforcement of the following codes of the city:
means building inspection superintendent.
mean each and all of the following codes of the city:
means a building that has never been used or occupied for any purpose. It shall also include newly constructed additions and improvements in existing buildings where more than 50 percent of the exterior wall is modified. The Chief Building Official shall make the final determination regarding the application of this definition.
A single-family dwelling unit on an individual lot constructed in a group of three or more attached units in which each extends from foundation to roof and with a yard or public way on at least two sides.
A space in a building for living, sleeping, eating or cooking including bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage or utility spaces and similar areas.
(Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)
Note: Former § 16.17.050, Fire-resistant construction, derived from Ord. 3008-13; Ord. 3100-16; Ord. 3149-19; Ord. 3202-22, was repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025.
Note: Ord. 3008-13; Ord. 3100-16; Ord. 3149-19; and Ord. 3202-22 § 14, were repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025.
2025 California Residential Code Section R302.2 is amended as follows:
R302.2 Townhouse Units. Walls separating townhouse units shall be constructed in accordance with Section R302.2.1 and shall comply with Sections R302.2.3 through R302.2.5.
(Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)
Note: Ord. 3008-13; Ord. 3100-16; Ord. 3149-19; and Ord. 3202-22 § 14, were repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025.
(a)
2025 California Residential Code Sections R309.1, R309.2, R309.2.1 and R309.3 are hereby amended to read as follows:
R309.1 Townhouse unit automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in townhouse units.
Existing Townhouse Units. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in existing townhouse units when additions or conversions from non-habitable to habitable spaces are made that are in excess of 50 percent of the habitable building area.
Firewalls used to separate building areas shall be constructed in accordance with the 2025 California Building Code and shall be without openings or penetrations.
Exception: A one-time addition to existing townhouse units that do not exceed 500 square feet of building area.
R309.1.1 Design and Installation. Automatic residential fire sprinkler systems for townhouse units shall be designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 13D and local standards.
R309.2 One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in one- and two-family dwellings.
Existing one- and two-family dwellings. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall be installed in existing one and two-family dwellings when additions or conversions from non-habitable to habitable spaces are made that are in excess of 50 percent of the habitable building area.
Firewalls used to separate building areas shall be constructed in accordance with the 2025 California Building Code and shall be without openings or penetrations.
Exception:
2. | Accessory Dwelling Unit, provided that all of the following are met: |
2.1. | The unit meets the definition of an Accessory Dwelling Unit as defined in the Government Code Section 65852.2. |
2.2. | The existing primary residence does not have automatic fire sprinklers. |
2.3. | The accessory detached dwelling unit does not exceed 1,200 square feet in size. |
2.4. | The unit is on the same lot as the primary residence. |
R309.2 Design and Installation. Automatic residential fire sprinkler systems for one- and two-family dwellings shall be designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 13D and local standards.
(b)
2025 California Residential Code Section R309.3 is hereby deleted in its entirety.
(Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)
Note: Former § 16.17.090, Electrical energy storage systems, derived from Ord. 3202-22, was repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025.
Note: Former § 16.17.095, Energy storage systems, derived from Ord. 3202-22, was repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025.
Note: Ord. 3008-13; Ord. 3100-16; Ord. 3149-19; and Ord. 3202-22 § 14, were repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025.
2025 California Residential Code Table R602.10.3(3) (Bracing Requirements Based On Seismic Design Category) of CRC Chapter 6 (Wall Construction) is amended as follows:
[Refer to 2025 California Residential Code for Table R602.10.3(3)]
Table R602.10.3(3) i,j — Bracing Requirements Based On Seismic Design Category [Text of Table unchanged] | |
|---|---|
Footnotes: | |
a-h | [Text of 2025 Residential Code unchanged] |
i. | Methods PBS, HPS, SFB and CS-SFB are not permitted in Seismic Design Categories D0, D1, and D2. |
j. | Methods GB, DWB and PCP are not permitted in Seismic Design Categories D0, D1, and D2 where S1 is greater than or equal to 0.75. |
(Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)
Note: Ord. 3008-13; Ord. 3100-16; Ord. 3149-19; and Ord. 3202-22 § 14, were repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025.
2025 California Residential Code Section R902.1.2 is amended to read as follows:
R902.1.2 Roof coverings in all other areas other than Fire Hazard Severity Zones or a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) area. The entire roof covering of every existing structure where more than 50 percent of the total roof area is replaced within any one-year period, the entire roof covering of every new structure, and any roof covering applied in the alteration, repair or replacement of the roof of every existing structure, shall be a fire-retardant roof covering that is at least Class B fire classification.
(Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)
Note: Ord. 3100-16; Ord. 3149-19; Ord. 3202-22; and Ord. 3230-24, were repealed by Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025.
2025 California Residential Code Chapter 3is amended to add as follows:
R341. Title. SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS, AND HOT TUBS
R341.1 General. The design and construction of swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs shall comply with the 20241 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and 2025 California Residential Code Appendix CI.
(Ord. 3248-25, 10/21/2025)