General Contractor in Sunnyvale

Sunnyvale's housing stock is heavily mid-century single-story on regular lots, which is close to ideal for a detached ADU — usable rear yard, straightforward access, and utilities that don't have to cross the whole property.

There is one Sunnyvale threshold worth knowing before you settle on a size. The City states that a new ADU larger than 800 square feet on a single-family lot requires a Miscellaneous Plan Permit first, before the building permit. That is an extra application and an extra wait, and it turns on a number you control. If a floor plan lands at 820 square feet, it is worth knowing what the last 20 are costing you in calendar time before you commit to them.

Two more Sunnyvale thresholds that decide whether you need a permit at all. On kitchens, replacing a countertop or refacing existing cabinets does not require a permit, but a remodel that replaces the cabinets does. On roofing, a permit is required once more than 100 square feet of roof covering is installed, repaired or replaced, and it has to be pulled before the work starts. Anyone quoting you a same-day roof patch on a larger area without mentioning a permit is telling you something about how they work.

We work throughout Sunnyvale — whether you're in Downtown Sunnyvale, Ortega Park, Cherry Chase, or Birdland, the build is the same standard.

Permits. Work in Sunnyvale is permitted through the City of Sunnyvale Building Division. We carry the submittal and the plan-check corrections — that is our job, not yours.

Sunnyvale splits ADUs into a streamlined route needing only a building permit and a non-streamlined route that needs a Miscellaneous Plan Permit from Planning first. Which one you land in is worth settling before anyone draws anything.

Pre-approved ADU plans. Sunnyvale publishes a gallery of pre-approved ADU plans that homeowners can build from. Since AB 1332 took effect on January 1, 2025, California cities have had to run a pre-approved ADU plan program and post the approved plans publicly. Where a usable plan exists it can take real time and design cost out of a project, because the design has already been reviewed and only the site-specific work is left.