Lower Density Residential (LDR)
Objective Design Standards
Aastha Vashist, Senior Planner
City Council Hearing, June 2, 2026
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2City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– June 2026 Overview
• Replace Single-Fam ily Home Design Techniques
• Update sponsored in 2020:
City Council Study Issue Paper CDD 20-01
• Applicability:
Single-Family Dwellings*
Two-Family Dwellings*
Dual Urban Opportunity (DUO) Housing*
• PC Hearing: April 27, 2026
*except Eichler and Taaffe-Frances neighborhoods
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3City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– June 2026 Process and Timeline
June Dec Jan March April June
2022
2025
First Public
Draft
Released
Dec 12, 2025
Third
PC Study
Session
March 23, 2026
Community
Outreach
June 14, 2022
First PC Study
Session
June 20, 2022
Second PC
Study
Session
Jan 12, 2026
PC Hearing
April 27, 2026
2026
CC Hearing
June 2, 2026
Second
Public Draft
Released
March 18,
2026
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4City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– June 2026 LDR Objective Design Standards
Goals
Objective and measurable design standards
Streamline permit process
Promote architectural variation
Modernize document to address current trends
Sustainable design goals
Balance property owner’s and neighbor's goals
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5City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– June 2026 Design Review Thresholds (SMC 19.32 & 19.80)
PERMIT REQUIRED EXISTING PROPOSED
Building Permit Only One story additions up to 20% of existing floor area
• One story additions up to 50% of existing floor
area
• Exterior modifications that are not significant
• Second story exterior modifications not
requiring a design review
Staff Level
Design Review
• New one-story homes
• One story additions >20% of existing
floor area
• Any exterior modification facing a street
• New one-story homes
• One story additions > 50% of existing floor area
• Significant exterior modifications
Staff Level
Design Review
with noticing
• New two-story homes
• Second floor additions
• Any second-floor exterior modifications
• New two-story homes
• Second floor additions
• Certain second-floor exterior modifications
Planning Commission
Design Review
with hearing
New homes and additions > 45% FAR or
3,600 s.f. floor area
New homes and additions > 60% FAR
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6City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– June 2026 Zoning Code Updates
Lot Coverage
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Updates
Green Building Program
City Council Policy 1.1.12
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7City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– June 2026 Staff Recommendation with
Modifications:
Planning Commission Recommendation
• Update to related design
guid
eline documents for
consistency.
• Add further clarification text for
imag
es in Appendix A of LDRODS
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8City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– June 2026 Staff Recommendation
• Find that the Proposed Actions are Exempt from CEQA
• Adopt a Resolution to Establish LDR Objective Design Standards and Rep
eal the Single-Family Home Design Techniques*;
• Introduce an Ordinance to Amend Sunnyvale Municipal Code Title 19 (Zo
ning) to Amend Chapter 19.32, 19.80 and 19.79*;
• Adopt a Resolution to Update and Adopt the Green Building Tables for 202
6; and
• Repeal City Council Policy 1.1.12.
Alternative 1:
*The Resolution and Ordinance have been updated to clarify that Heritage Resources are not subject to the LDR ODS
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