Where can I find existing parking regulations?

See Documents.

Will parking requirements change for nonresidential land uses?

No, but we will review shared parking standards and requirements on residential mixed-use sites. Mixed-use sites include both residential and nonresidential land uses.

How do recent changes to state housing law impact City residential parking requirements?

State legislation has already impacted the amount of parking we can require:

• State Density Bonus: Housing projects with affordable housing can reduce parking.
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): No parking is required for ADUs.
• AB 2097 (Major Transit Stops): No parking is required for sites within a half mile of major transit stops.
• SB 9 or Dual Urban Opportunity (DUO): One parking space is required for each new home under this law. Sites within a half mile of El Camino Real (considered a high-quality transit corridor) do not need to provide parking.
• AB 1317 (Unbundled Parking): Requires larger multi-family residential properties to lease parking spaces separately from the rental price.

How will this study affect existing off-street parking at my home?
This study is not expected to change your current parking situation. Existing and previously approved parking conditions at your home will remain the same.

The purpose of the study is to look at possible updates that could give homeowners more flexibility in the future. Any changes would only apply to new projects that require permits — for example, building a new single-family home, adding onto your house, or developing new multi-family or mixed-use housing.

Prior Meetings

Planning Commission Public Hearing – Feb. 26, 2024

• Planning Commission Recording (starts at 00:28:28)
• Planning Commission Staff Report

City Council Public Hearing – March 19, 2024

• City Council Recording (starts at 2:31:26)
• City Council Staff Report

There will be future opportunities for public outreach. Subscribe above to receive notices.

Related

• SMC 19.46 Parking
• Specific Plans
• SMC 19.45 Transportation Demand Management
• See Multi-Family and Nonresidential for the TDM Program and Toolkit
• Council Policy 1.1.15 – Residential Transportation Demand Management

Sunnyvale has a long history of reviewing and updating its residential parking requirements.

• 1951: The City first required one parking space per housing unit.
• Following decades: Requirements were increased several times, resulting in more spaces being mandated and increasingly complex rules. Parking standards are now tied to many different factors, such as housing type and use.
• Recent years: New state laws have also limited how much parking cities can require, adding another layer of change.

In 2018, the Planning Commission suggested studying Sunnyvale’s parking requirements. The City Council endorsed the study in 2022 and, in 2024, directed staff to expand its scope to take a broader look at current and future needs.