Lower Density Residential (LDR)
Objective Design Standards
Aastha Vashist, Principal Planner
City Council Hearing, July 21, 2026
DRAFT PRESENTATION
2City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– July 2026 Overview
• Replace Single-F amily 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
DRAFT PRESENTATION
3City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– July 2026 Process
• Dahlin Group (Architects & Urban Planners) hired in 2022. • Project commenced in 2022:
Community outreach meeting held in June 2022
Three Planning Commission Study Sessions
First Public Draft released in December 2025
Public webpage launched in March 2024
Notifications to interested parties (including architects & designers) and neighborhood associations
DRAFT PRESENTATION
4City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– July 2026 Process and Timeline
June Dec Jan March April June July
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
July 21, 2026
Second
Public Draft
Released
March 18,
2026
DRAFT PRESENTATION
5City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– July 2026 Public Comment Letter
• Letter received on May 21, 2026, from Bronwyn Barry, Principal of Passive H
omes BB.
• Concerns regarding:
Building articulation and second-floor design
Environmental sustainability
Energy efficiency
Thermal influx
Seismic safety and
Ability of traditional homes to comply with the proposed standards
DRAFT PRESENTATION
6City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– July 2026 Response to Public Comment Letter
• Planning and Building Safety staff reviewed the letter • No adverse impacts found on:
Compliance with California Building Code
including seismic standards and thermal performance
Installation of renewable energy systems
Traditional residential design
• Green Building Program, Building Code & proposed objective design s
tandards further City’s sustainability and climate action objectives
DRAFT PRESENTATION
7City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– July 2026 Additional Clarifications
• Proposed Design Standards include:
Exceptions from majority of numerical design standards Alternative Compliance
• Increased design review threshold and lot coverage allowance • Clarifications included for following design standards:
2.2.2.4. Two story Wall along Front Elevation
2.2.4.1. Wall Plane Changes
2.1.2. and 2.8.1. Exterior Wall Materials
DRAFT PRESENTATION
8City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– July 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
DRAFT PRESENTATION
9City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– July 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
DRAFT PRESENTATION
10City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– July 2026 Zoning Code Updates
Lot Coverage
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) Updates
Green Building Program
City Council Policy 1.1.12
DRAFT PRESENTATION
11City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– July 2026 Staff Recommendation with
Modifications:
Planning Commission Recommendation
• Update to related design
g
uideline documents for
consistency.
• Add further clarification text for
im
ages in Appendix A of LDRODS
DRAFT PRESENTATION
12City of Sunnyvale – Lower Density Residential Objective Design Standards– July 2026 Staff Recommendation
• Find that the Proposed Actions are Exempt from CEQA
• Adopt a Resolution to Establish LDR Objective Design Standards and R
epeal the Single-Family Home Design Techniques*;
• Introduce an Ordinance to Amend Sunnyvale Municipal Code Title 19 (
Zoning) to Amend Chapter 19.32, 19.80 and 19.79*;
• Adopt a Resolution to Update and Adopt the Green Building Tables for 2 026; 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
Updates and Clarifications have been added to the LDR Objective Design Standards
DRAFT PRESENTATION