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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Sunnyvale
Building permits shall be obtained before erection, construction, reconstruction, installation, moving, or alteration of any building or structure unless the work falls within listed exemptions.
Cosmetic work such as painting, papering, tiling, floor coverings, trim work, some low-mounted cabinets, and countertops
One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet with no utilities
Swings and playground equipment accessory to one- or two-family dwellings
Retrofit window replacements where the new window is the same configuration and the manufactured frame remains unchanged
Roof repair or replacement of 100 square feet or less within any 12-month period
Fences not over 7 feet high, except concrete walls
Retaining walls not over 4 feet high when no other structure is attached
Certain shade cloth structures and window awnings for single-family homes and duplexes
Certain walks and driveways meeting the city's height/route limitations
Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
Certain prefabricated above-ground pools for single-family or duplex properties meeting depth/volume limits
Limited electrical, plumbing, appliance, and fixture replacement work such as same-location replacement of receptacles, switches, lights, toilets, faucets, and sinks
- Exempt Cosmetic work such as painting, papering, tiling, floor coverings, trim work, some low-mounted cabinets, and countertops
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet with no utilities
- Exempt Swings and playground equipment accessory to one- or two-family dwellings
- Exempt Retrofit window replacements where the new window is the same configuration and the manufactured frame remains unchanged
- Exempt Roof repair or replacement of 100 square feet or less within any 12-month period
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high, except concrete walls
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high when no other structure is attached
- Exempt Certain shade cloth structures and window awnings for single-family homes and duplexes
- Exempt Certain walks and driveways meeting the city's height/route limitations
- Exempt Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
- Exempt Certain prefabricated above-ground pools for single-family or duplex properties meeting depth/volume limits
- Exempt Limited electrical, plumbing, appliance, and fixture replacement work such as same-location replacement of receptacles, switches, lights, toilets, faucets, and sinks
Note: This exemption list is specifically for single-family homes and duplexes. Exemptions do not authorize work that violates building codes or other laws. Separate Planning or Public Works approval may still be required.
Required documents
- Building and Fire Permit Application
- Plans
- Structural calculations (where applicable)
- Energy documents
- Special inspection forms
- Project-specific checklists
- Building code
- 2022 California Building Code (exempt-work handout); 2025 California code editions for current submittals
- Owner-builder
- The Building and Fire Permit Application includes an owner-builder declaration section.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Allow 5 to 10 business days for submittal acceptance confirmation for online building permit submissions requiring plan check.
- 01 Create or re-register an E-OneStop Online Services account.
- 02 Use the online help page to find the correct project type.
- 03 For building and fire permits, complete and upload the Building and Fire Permit Application.
- 04 For projects requiring plan check, submit plans and supporting PDFs through E-OneStop. Typical submittals include permit application, plans, structural calculations if applicable, and other supporting documents such as energy documents and special inspection forms.
- 05 Respond to plan review comments and resubmit through the portal as needed.
- 06 Pay fees through the portal.
- 07 After issuance, print or use the permit card / job card and schedule required inspections.
Typical processing time: Allow 5 to 10 business days for submittal acceptance confirmation for online building permit submissions requiring plan check.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective August 18, 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$157 (valuation $1 to $2,000)
02
Plan check fee
70% of building permit fee; energy plan check 10% of building permit fee; fire prevention permit 70% of building permit fee
03
Permit fee formula
Building permit fee table starts at $157 for valuation $1 to $2,000, then scales by valuation
04
Trade permit fee
Mechanical/electrical/plumbing: residential $0.14/sq ft with $125 minimum; non-residential $0.24/sq ft with $374 minimum. Re-roof $350-$615 depending on area. Solar PV (single-family/duplex) $389. Demolition $440.
05
Reinspection fee
$370.00
Permit issuance: $41.00. Technology surcharge: 5% of permit fee. Grading permit: $285 for single-family/duplex; $1,224 for other building types.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective August 18, 2025) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- E-OneStop portal (online)
- (408) 730-7790 (phone)
Typical sequence: Inspections are required for all building permits. The general contractor is responsible for scheduling and being present. Fire inspections are scheduled by email. HazMat inspections by phone at (408) 730-7212. Public Works inspections by phone at (408) 730-7415 ext. 6.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Sunnyvale permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Sunnyvale, CA? ▸
Building permits shall be obtained before erection, construction, reconstruction, installation, moving, or alteration of any building or structure unless the work falls within listed exemptions.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Sunnyvale, CA? ▸
Building permit fees in Sunnyvale, CA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $157 (valuation $1 to $2,000). Fees are calculated as: Building permit fee table starts at $157 for valuation $1 to $2,000, then scales by valuation. Plan check fee: 70% of building permit fee; energy plan check 10% of building permit fee; fire prevention permit 70% of building permit fee.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Sunnyvale, CA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Sunnyvale, CA, follow these steps: 1. Create or re-register an E-OneStop Online Services account. 2. Use the online help page to find the correct project type. 3. For building and fire permits, complete and upload the Building and Fire Permit Application. 4. For projects requiring plan check, submit plans and supporting PDFs through E-OneStop. Typical submittals include permit application, plans, structural calculations if applicable, and other supporting documents such as energy documents and special inspection forms. 5. Respond to plan review comments and resubmit through the portal as needed. 6. Pay fees through the portal. 7. After issuance, print or use the permit card / job card and schedule required inspections.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Sunnyvale, CA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Sunnyvale, CA typically run Allow 5 to 10 business days for submittal acceptance confirmation for online building permit submissions requiring plan check.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Sunnyvale, CA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Sunnyvale, CA. The following work is generally exempt: Cosmetic work such as painting, papering, tiling, floor coverings, trim work, some low-mounted cabinets, and countertops; One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet with no utilities; Swings and playground equipment accessory to one- or two-family dwellings; Retrofit window replacements where the new window is the same configuration and the manufactured frame remains unchanged; Roof repair or replacement of 100 square feet or less within any 12-month period; Fences not over 7 feet high, except concrete walls; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high when no other structure is attached; Certain shade cloth structures and window awnings for single-family homes and duplexes; Certain walks and driveways meeting the city's height/route limitations; Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high; Certain prefabricated above-ground pools for single-family or duplex properties meeting depth/volume limits; Limited electrical, plumbing, appliance, and fixture replacement work such as same-location replacement of receptacles, switches, lights, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Note: This exemption list is specifically for single-family homes and duplexes. Exemptions do not authorize work that violates building codes or other laws. Separate Planning or Public Works approval may still be required. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Sunnyvale, CA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Sunnyvale, CA via: E-OneStop portal, (408) 730-7790.
last verified April 2026
source One-Stop Permit Center, Building Safety Division ↗
entry id permits/california/santa-clara/sunnyvale
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with One-Stop Permit Center, Building Safety Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.