Historic Murphy Avenue in downtown Sunnyvale at golden hour, a long street under an arched sign with shops on both sides

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Sunnyvale, in short

Which trees in Sunnyvale need a permit to remove?

A permit is needed to remove a protected private tree: one trunk 38 inches or more around, measured four and a half feet up, or trunks that add up to 113 inches. File at least ten working days ahead. Work on a street tree, one in the City’s right-of-way, needs the City’s permit too.

The story of Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale, a town named in 1901 and a city since 1912, by the City’s Historical Context Statement.

The City’s Historical Context Statement says town residents chose the name Sunnyvale in 1901, after being told they could not use Encinal or Murphy for their post office, and voted to incorporate in 1912. Lockheed moved its headquarters to Sunnyvale in 1956, the Statement’s timeline says, and the Sunnyvale Historical Society says chips later turned the town into “the center of Silicon Valley”.

The National Park Service says, “Historically, the Tamien-speaking Ohlone Indians were the first documented inhabitants of the Santa Clara Valley region”.

The Sunnyvale Historical Society says, “Martin Murphy, Jr. was a pioneer who made his way as an Irish immigrant to being one of the biggest landowners in the state, founder of schools, and father of mayors and senators.”

The City’s Historical Context Statement says Martin Murphy Jr. allowed the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad a right of way across his property, in an agreement securing passenger stops, among them “Murphy Station” “in what would become Sunnyvale.”

In 1901, the Statement says, town residents who had been told they could not use Encinal or Murphy for the name of their post office chose Sunnyvale for the name of their town.

The Statement’s timeline says, “Sunnyvale residents vote to incorporate.” It dates that vote to 1912.

The Statement’s timeline dates “Aircraft manufacturer Lockheed moves its headquarters to Sunnyvale” to 1956. It says Lockheed’s Missile and Space Division gave three reasons for coming: “the climate, access to the academic environment of the peninsula, and the City’s quality planning.”

The Society’s industrial exhibit says, “In the 1970’s, the design and manufacture of integrated circuits on silicon chips turned Sunnyvale into the center of Silicon Valley; nearby companies included Hewlett Packard, Intel and National Semiconductor.” It says the mid-1990s brought the “dot com boom”, which continues “with companies like Yahoo and Google with offices here.”

The City’s Heritage Resources Inventory introduction says, “Sunnyvale’s original Heritage Resources Inventory was adopted in 1979,” “recognizing properties which have architectural or historic significance.”

In 2008, the Society says, “construction of the Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum was finished and a Grand Opening was celebrated.”

Read the full story of Sunnyvale

Fire safety

Fire prevention

The City’s Fire Prevention Services page says, “The Fire Prevention Program is dedicated to reducing the loss of life and property through inspections,” “code enforcement, operating and special use permitting and public education.” It adds, “We conduct annual fire safety inspections in the community year-round.”

City page undated, read Oct 27 2026

Weeds on your lot

The City’s Neighborhood Complaint page, under “Weeds or Grass”, says, “The existence of weeds upon the premises, or public sidewalks, or streets or alleys between said premises” “and the center of any public street or alley is prohibited.” It adds, “Property owners are responsible for maintaining their properties” “in such a manner as to avoid creating a nuisance to the public.” The page presents it as a nuisance rule and names no fire purpose.

City page undated, read Oct 27 2026

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Sunnyvale this month

Storm season: the City hands out free sandbags at its Corporation Yard on Commercial Street: “7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, now through April 1”. The page gives no start date or year, so check back.

The Sunnyvale blog starts when there is enough local news to keep it current.

Culture and history

Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum

The museum’s visit page gives its hours as “Sundays 12pm to 4pm”, “Tuesdays 12pm to 4pm” and “Thursdays 12pm to 4pm”, and says “Admission: Free!” It is on Remington Drive.

Society’s visit page, read Oct 27 2026; check the hours before a visit

Orchard Heritage Park

The Sunnyvale Historical Society says, “The ten-acre orchard has about 80 trees per acre for a total of about 800 trees.” The open-air exhibit next to the museum “is open to the public every day from dawn to dusk.”

Society’s pages undated, read Oct 27 2026

See 5 more

Baylands Park

The City’s park page says, “Baylands Park provides over 70 acres of developed parkland offering active recreation, pathways and picnic areas”, and “An additional 105 acres of seasonal wetlands is protected as a wetlands preserve, providing habitat for plants and wildlife.”

City page undated, read Oct 27 2026

The farmers’ market

The City’s calendar lists the Sunnyvale Farmers’ Market downtown on Murphy Avenue and says, “Open year ’round, rain or shine.”

City calendar entry listed in Oct 2026, read Oct 27 2026

Winter Teas at the museum

The Sunnyvale Historical Society says, “We host a Museum Tea on one weekend each spring, and Winter Teas the first two weekends in December.” Its 2026 Winter Teas are on “Dec 5, 6 and 12, 13, 2 – 4 pm”.

Society’s page read Oct 27 2026; the 2026 dates are on the page

A town named in 1901

Residents chose the name Sunnyvale in 1901 and voted to incorporate in 1912, by the City’s Historical Context Statement. More in The story of Sunnyvale, below.

Statement undated, read Oct 27 2026

From aircraft to chips

Lockheed moved its headquarters to Sunnyvale in 1956, the City’s timeline says, and the Sunnyvale Historical Society says chips later turned Sunnyvale into “the center of Silicon Valley”. More in The story of Sunnyvale, below.

Statement undated, Society page undated, read Oct 27 2026

Community

Neighborhood associations

The City’s Neighborhood Associations page says Sunnyvale has “many Neighborhood Associations providing opportunities to meet your neighbors” that “engage in social activities, promote community pride and improve local safety”. The umbrella organization is called “Sunnyvale Neighborhoods”. The City’s association map lists 30 names, by our own count.

City page undated, read Oct 27 2026

Docent tours at the museum

The Sunnyvale Historical Society says, “Visit the museum during normal operating hours to see our large collection of interesting artifacts and get a free guided tour from one of our docents.”

Society’s page undated, read Oct 27 2026

See 1 more

Sunnyvale Community Center

The City’s page says, “The Sunnyvale Community Center is a recreation campus with performing and creative arts centers,” and “The Center is spread out around a pond and fruit orchards.” “The Performing Arts Center includes the 200-seat Sunnyvale Theatre and dance studio.”

City page undated, read Oct 27 2026

City rules and regulations

Re-roofs

A re-roof takes a permit and inspections. The City’s handout “Re-Roof Requirements” is marked Rev. 12/2025 and says, “THESE REQUIREMENTS APPLY TO BUILDING PERMITS SUBMITTED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2026”.

Handout Rev. 12/2025, read Oct 27 2026

Re-roof inspections

The handout says, “All re-roofs require the following two inspections:” an in-progress inspection of the ventilation, flue clearance and material installation, and a final one. The City’s final checklist includes “Spark arrester is installed”, “Installed gutters are provided with means to prevent accumulation of leaves or debris.” and “An extension ladder secure to the roof that extends a minimum of 3′ beyond the roof eave”. That is the City’s own checklist for a re-roof’s final inspection.

Handout Rev. 12/2025, read Oct 27 2026

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Keeping the roof material’s quality

The handout says, “Prior to submittal for a building permit, contact the Planning Division” “determine if a separate permit is required.” It adds, “The Planning Division requires that the existing quality of roof material be maintained on all re-roofs.” The handout also says “a tile or shake roof is considered to be equivalent quality to a 40-year composition”.

Handout Rev. 12/2025, read Oct 27 2026

Small roof work

The Building Division’s list of work that needs no building permit includes “Replacement or repair of 100 square feet or less of an existing roof material within any 12-month period.” The list is marked “THESE ITEMS ARE APPLICABLE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2026” and says, “This list is NOT all-inclusive.”

List Rev. 1/2026, read Oct 27 2026

Where to apply

The Permit Center page says, “All services are online through the E-OneStop Online Services permitting system.”

City page undated, read Oct 27 2026

Only rainwater in the storm drain

The City’s page says, “Only rainwater is permitted in storm drains. Anything else put into the storm drain system is illegal.” Its stormwater code lists among the barred discharges “Discharges of wastewater generated during the installation, cleaning, treating, and washing of copper architectural features, including copper roofs.”

City page undated; Code current to Aug 11 2026, read Oct 27 2026

Private trees are yours

The City’s private trees page says, “We do not provide services for private trees.” and “As a resident, you are responsible for maintaining your trees for health and safety.”

City page undated, read Oct 27 2026

Protected private trees

The page says, “Some private trees are protected. They need a permit to be removed.” A protected tree is a “Single-trunk tree measures 38 inches or greater”, or a multi-trunk tree where “the measurements of the multi-trunks added together equal at least 113 inches”. The City Code defines it as a tree “thirty-eight inches or greater in circumference measured four and one-half feet above ground for single-trunk trees.”

City page undated; Code current to Aug 11 2026, read Oct 27 2026

Removing a protected tree

The Code says, “Tree removal permits shall be filed at least ten working days prior to the proposed date of tree removal.” It adds, “It is unlawful to damage or kill any protected tree.” and “Minimum size for the replacement of a protected tree shall be a California Association of Nurserymen’s standard twenty-four inch box size tree.”

Code current to Aug 11 2026, read Oct 27 2026

Street trees

The City’s trees page says, “A street tree is a tree whose trunk is within the City right-of-way.” It adds, “We will only remove trees that are dead, dying, damaged or present a hazard.” The City Code says, “It is unlawful for any person to trim, prune, spray, fertilize, remove, cut above ground, or otherwise disturb any city tree without first procuring a permit from the superintendent.”

City page undated; Code current to Aug 11 2026, read Oct 27 2026

Tree debris and light trimming

The trees page says, “As a resident, you need to clear any tree debris in the right-of-way and water your trees as needed.” For a street tree, “You must use non-power hand tools. You may trim limbs that are less than 1-inch in diameter.”

City page undated, read Oct 27 2026

A permit to remove a street tree

The trees page says, “As a property owner, you can apply for a work permit to have your street tree removed and replaced at your expense.” The permit page says, “To request a permit, you must be the property owner of the house adjacent to the tree.” and “To perform tree care or removal, you must have an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist”.

City page undated, read Oct 27 2026

Check back City-paid sweetgum removal: check back

The trees page says, “Funding for Fiscal Year 2026/27 and Fiscal Year 2027/28 is fully allocated. Applications for Fiscal Year 2028/29 will open the second week of July 2027.” The City’s application form says, “We are now accepting applications for FY 2027/28”. The two pages disagree, so check back with the City.

City page and form undated, read Oct 27 2026

When you buy or sell The State’s sale rule

The State’s sale rule, Civil Code 1102.19, says a seller of a home in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone, as the State identifies them, “shall provide to the buyer documentation stating that the property is in compliance with Section 4291 of the Public Resources Code or local vegetation management ordinances”.

Civil Code section read Oct 20 2026

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Storms, flood and drainage

Check back Sandbags

The City’s sandbag page says, “During the rainy season we offer free sandbags to the public to protect property in Sunnyvale.” Pickup is at the Corporation Yard on Commercial Street, “7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, now through April 1”. The limit is “Limit of 10 sandbags per address (additional sandbags offered under special circumstances)”, and “You must show a valid ID with Sunnyvale address”. The page gives no start date or year, so check back. It adds, “You can also pick up sandbags at various Santa Clara Water District locations.”

City page undated, read Oct 27 2026

Blocked storm drains

The City’s Flood Protection page says, “If you see a blocked storm drain, call our 24-hour Sewer and Storm Drain Response Hotline at 408-730-7400.” Its Storm Drains page lists “Localized flooding or backup of a storm drain” among the reasons to call.

City pages undated, read Oct 27 2026

See 3 more

Where the rain goes

The City’s page says, “Sunnyvale is part of the 85 square mile West Valley watershed within Santa Clara County. Our creeks and channels catch rain and runoff from storm drains.” It adds, “Then they carry that water directly into San Francisco Bay.” The Storm Drains page says, “Water from storm drains is not treated and flows directly to the Bay.”

City pages undated, read Oct 27 2026

Flood hazard areas

The City’s flood page says, “There are certain areas of Sunnyvale which FEMA has designated as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA).” It adds, “SFHAs are subject to flood inundation from a 100-year flood (a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year).” The page names no street or neighborhood.

City page undated, read Oct 27 2026

Valley Water’s channel project

Valley Water’s page for the Sunnyvale East and West Channels project says, “This project is to upgrade approximately 6.4 miles of the existing Sunnyvale East Channel…” and “…to provide 1% flood protection (100-year event) to 1,618 parcels…” It lists the project as “Active” in the “Design” phase, and says, “Construction, originally scheduled to begin in FY26, was delayed due to pending regulatory permits.”

Valley Water page (label August 2026), read Oct 27 2026

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Programs, loans and insurance

Check back Home repair loans and a roof grant: the City’s Home Improvement Program

The City’s Home Improvement Program page says it “provides loans for home renovations to lower-income home owners. It also provides a very limited number of small grants for minor home improvements.” It lists “Deadline: Ongoing”. The City’s brochure for lower-income Sunnyvale households lists grants “to repair or replace deteriorated roofs that pose a serious threat to the health, safety or welfare of the household or affect the immediate livability of the home. Limited funding, please check for availability.” It also lists loans “to address deferred maintenance or repair of plumbing, roofing, electrical, and/or heating systems, and/or windows, flooring and wall repairs or replacement.” Neither page says whether money is available now. The brochure points to the City’s “City Grants and Loans” page to start.

City page undated; brochure undated, read Oct 27 2026

Check back No-cost home repairs: Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley

Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley’s apply page lists Sunnyvale as the last of the places it serves: “We currently serve the following locations in Santa Clara County.” The page says, “Applications are accepted year-round, however that does not guarantee acceptance.” You must “Demonstrate a need for home repairs” and “Have a household income below 80% AMI (see eligibility section below)”. The page names no roof or gutter work.

Program page undated, read Oct 27 2026

See 5 more

County-wide Check back Roof repairs: Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley

Habitat’s Home Repair page says, “Services are currently available in select cities in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara counties.” Its list of cities ends with Sunnyvale. Its critical repairs include “roof repairs, upgrading electrical systems, replumbing, flooring replacement, replacing windows”, and the page says, “Submit a Request for Service form online or by mail below.” The page shows no income figure.

Program page undated, read Oct 27 2026

Check back Silicon Valley Clean Energy: rebates, with an extra from the City

Silicon Valley Clean Energy’s rebate page says, “Customers of Sunnyvale can receive higher rebates for a Heat Pump Heating and Cooling System.” It says, “Make sure to apply for your rebate before the appliance is installed.” and “Each dwelling unit is eligible for one rebate per appliance type.” We give no amounts here; check back.

SVCE page, no date on it, read Oct 27 2026

County-wide Rain barrels, cisterns and rain gardens: Valley Water

The City’s rebates page lists Valley Water’s “Landscape Rebate Program – includes landscape conversion, irrigation equipment upgrade, in-line drip conversion and rainwater capture.” Valley Water runs it for Santa Clara County, so we give no terms here.

City page undated, read Oct 27 2026

State-wide LIHEAP and the Weatherization Assistance Program

LIHEAP, the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, is run in California by the Department of Community Services and Development through local service providers, and the household applies to the local provider. The Department’s page says, “Eligibility for LIHEAP services can vary depending on income, household size, place of residence, and other factors.” It describes one-time help with a utility bill, help in an energy crisis and free weatherization upgrades. The Department also works with local providers on the federal Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income homeowners and renters, and says, “Use the Find Services in Your Area function to locate the agency in your area, then contact them to apply for assistance.” Its toll-free help line is (866) 675-6623. The pages do not say whether LIHEAP is open or closed, and no page we read names the provider for Sunnyvale.

Pages read Oct 20 2026

State-wide Check back Earthquake Brace + Bolt: check back

Earthquake Brace + Bolt is a program of the California Residential Mitigation Program, a joint body. Its page says, “An EBB seismic retrofit is only done on wood-framed, pre-1980 homes with a raised foundation.” It says, “EBB program registration is open for a limited time each year.” When the registration page was read on Oct 20 2026 it said, “The EBB Program is currently closed.”

Program pages read Oct 20 2026

Who serves your home in Sunnyvale

Fire, police and medical: The City’s own Department of Public Safety. The City’s page says, “The Department of Public Safety is one of the few fully integrated police and fire departments in America.” It adds that its officers “are cross-trained as police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs)”.
Water and sewer: The City’s Utility Billing page says, “Water and wastewater services are provided by the City directly.” Valley Water’s page for Sunnyvale lists the “City of Sunnyvale Public Works Department” and the “California Water Service Company”, the second “From Grant Road east in small areas to Highway 85”. The two pages are not worded alike. Check your bill to see which one serves your address. The Sunnyvale Cleanwater Program’s site says its purpose “is to upgrade the City’s Water Pollution Control Plant (Plant) through a series of 34 long-term projects”.
Garbage and recycling: The City’s Utility Billing page says, “Garbage and recycling services are provided by contract with Specialty Solid Waste and Recycling” “at rates approved by the City.” Its SMaRT Station page says, “The Sunnyvale Materials Recovery and Transfer Station (SMaRT Station®) provides a variety of garbage and recycling services.”
Electricity: Silicon Valley Clean Energy lists Sunnyvale among its communities, and says, “SVCE generates clean electricity for you to use in your home or business and PG&E delivers it on their existing power lines.”
Schools: Four districts reach Sunnyvale homes. The Sunnyvale School District is “roughly bordered by El Camino, State Route 85, Caribbean Drive, and Lawrence Expressway”. The Cupertino Union School District is “located throughout the city of Cupertino and portions of Sunnyvale, San Jose, Saratoga, Los Altos, and Santa Clara.” Santa Clara Unified says “Neighborhoods in the Cities of Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, San Jose, and Cupertino” make up its area. The Fremont Union High School District draws students “from the cities of Cupertino, Los Altos, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale”.

Useful links: Sunnyvale School District · Cupertino Union School District · Santa Clara Unified School District · Fremont Union High School District · City of Sunnyvale: Department of Public Safety · City of Sunnyvale: Permits · City of Sunnyvale: Street trees · City of Sunnyvale: Free sandbags · City of Sunnyvale: City Grants and Loans · Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley · Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley · Valley Water · Silicon Valley Clean Energy · Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum

The homes of Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale’s median home was built in 1976, by the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 survey. About 57 percent of its homes were built before 1980, our own calculation. About 36 percent are one-unit detached houses and about 39 percent are in buildings of five or more units, and about 56 percent of its occupied homes are rented, our own calculations.

Wartime

Victory Village

The City’s Historical Context Statement calls Victory Village “one of the best single examples of California’s important wartime housing tracts.”

Postwar

Farmland becomes subdivisions

The Statement says, “Taxes on farmland rose rapidly, making agricultural use impracticable and spurring land owners” “to sell or develop residential subdivisions and shopping centers.”

Today

Eichler neighborhoods and the Heritage Housing District

The City’s General Plan says, “The City has design guidelines in place to protect the unique character of Eichler residential neighborhoods and the Heritage Housing District on Frances Street and Taaffe Street near Downtown.”

Historic streets

Streetscapes on the City’s inventory

The City’s Heritage Resources Inventory lists five streetscapes, among them “Frances Street Streetscape (400-500 Blocks)” and “Taaffe Streetscape (500 Block)”.

Older roofs and gutters need a different hand: Gutter Repair · Roof Repair · Gutter Installation

The story of Sunnyvale

History and character