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Sunnyvale staff reviews building-code limits and options for higher local standards
Summary
Town staff told the council Sunnyvale has adopted the 2021 ICC family of codes and noted state law (House Bill 2439) restricts mandating certain materials; staff suggested options for EV readiness, sidewalk widths, sprinklers and separate irrigation meters for further study.
Shuru Bassan, the town's director of planning and development services, opened a staff presentation on Sunnyvale's existing construction codes and local options, and introduced Chief Building Official CJ Direcke to walk the council through specifics. Direcke said Sunnyvale has adopted the 2021 International Code Council family of codes and the 2020 National Electrical Code.
"Sunnyvale's adopted the 2021 editions of the International Code Council family of codes," Direcke said in the presentation. He told council that state legislation limits the town's ability to mandate some materials, citing House Bill 2439, which took effect on 09/01/2019: "We cannot force a builder or a designer to use specific materials when it comes to that type of thing." Staff also described how the town can still pursue local amendments on matters within its authority, including dark‑sky lighting controls in commercial settings, options for EV‑ready garages (different preparedness levels from outlet‑ready to full wiring), and prescriptive versus performance paths for energy‑code insulation requirements.
Councilmembers pressed staff on how the rules apply to home remodels versus additions and on enforcement timing. Direcke clarified that setback rules are triggered only when a structure is added to, rebuilt or demolished; routine remodeling does not, by itself, require compliance with new setback lines. The council also discussed higher local standards councilmembers would like staff to study, including minimum sidewalk widths (staff noted the current Unified Development Ordinance requires five feet in many locations, six in others) and whether to require residential sprinkler systems for new homes. Bassan and Direcke recommended returning with formal amendment proposals and clarified the town did not adopt the 2024 code cycle and plans to consider the 2027 model codes with regional amendments for potential adoption in early 2028.
The presentation closed with staff offering to prepare specific ordinance language and cost estimates for council consideration. No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff were directed to research options and return with recommended language and implementation impacts.
