Planning Forms

Planning Permit Applications
General Application Form

Use this form for:

  • Most permits except Design Review and Minor Residential Permits (in R1 zoning districts).
  • Mixed-use development applications.
  • Non-residential applications.
  • Fence and sign exceptions.
  • Guidelines and more information regarding SB 35 projects is available online here. Contains a list of all fees charged by the Planning Department. Also contains information required by the Public Works Department for meeting the C3 requirements for water retention on site etc.
Minor Residential and Design Review Application

Use this form for a Minor Residential Permit for:

  • a one-story encroachment into the required rear yard setback,
  • extension of a legal non-conforming wall,
  • extension of a gable end enclosing attic space with a height above 17 feet and up to 20 feet out of the building envelope,
  • new or expanded second story decks,
  • modifications to setback and height restrictions due to solar design,
  • Development on actual slopes equal to or greater than 20% and with total floor area ratio of all structures on the lot greater than 35%.
  • Design Review Permit for a second story with a second story side yard setback of less than 15' or a second to first floor area ratio of more than 66%.

Please note that you need to apply for a Building Permit with the Building Department after you receive this planning permit. Please also note that no changes to the exterior elevations should be made once your Planning permit is approved without first consulting the Planning Department.

SB330 Preliminary Application (Housing Crisis Act)

SB 330 allows eligible housing development projects to submit a "preliminary application" of required materials and information. When deemed submitted, development requirements, standards, and fees are "locked in" (vested) in place at the time of determination.

Fence Approval Form

Use this form to obtain permission from your neighbor to build an 8-foot tall fence where a 6-foot tall fence is allowed by code.

Streamlined Projects under SB 35

The City Council adopted procedures for processing Streamlined Projects on September 3, 2019. Please note that the SB 35 Checklist in Resolution No. 19-113 has been updated to reflect amendments to state law by AB 1485 and is available online here: SB 35 Eligibility Checklist(PDF, 221KB).

Miscellaneous Ministerial Permit

Complete this application package for residential development under Senate Bill 9.

Urban Lot Split

Complete this application package for lot splits under Senate Bill 9.

R1 Exception Permit

Use this form for projects that require an exception to the development regulations in Chapter 19.28 (Single Family (R1) Zoning) due to odd shaped lots or particularly difficult circumstances.

Collection Facility

Use this form for small collection facilities and reverse vending machines.

Temporary Sign Permit

Use this form to apply for a temporary sign, banner, etc, or apply online using the Online Permit Service Portal.

Tree Removal Permit

Use this form to apply for tree removals of protected trees.

Privacy Screening Information
Privacy Screening Materials

Use these informational handouts to design your privacy plant landscaping for a second story permit.

Privacy Protection Planting Waiver

Use this form to obtain waivers from affected neighbors if they are willing to waive the privacy protection requirements for second story permits.

Privacy Protection Landscape Affidavit

Use this form to get a landscape architect/arborist to vouch that you have planted the privacy trees in accordance to the requirements of the R1 Ordinance and the approved plans.

Appeals
Appeal Form

Use this form to appeal a project. Please submit the form, along with required fees, to the City Clerk's Office.

Water Stormwater, Environmental
Water Efficiency Checklist

Appendix A to Chapter 14.15. Use this form for your landscape project submittal. Submit only this form and landscape area calculation if your landscape area is under 2,500 s.f. If your landscape area is over 2,500 s.f., submit a complete landscape project submittal. See Chapter 14.15 - Landscape Ordinance for complete information.

C3 Impervious Surface Data

Provided by the Public Works Department, Environmental Services. Must be submitted for all projects.

Other
AC Unit Sound Rating Worksheet

Use this worksheet to determine the required sound rating and setback for AC units, heat pumps, or generators to be in compliance with the City's Noise Ordinance.

Record a Covenant Instructions

Read these carefully and follow these directions before you ask for final inspections.

Indemnification Form

Include this form for all application submissions.

ADU Survey

This survey is required to be completed prior to any Final Occupation of an ADU.

CAP Consistency and GHG Emissions Compliance

The Climate Action Plan Consistency and CEQA GHG Emissions Compliance Checklist (CAP/CEQA GHG Checklist) is required to accompany the City’s General Planning Application.

CMP Guidelines

Use these guidelines to draft a construction management plan when required by a planning application or through Municipal Code Title 17.

Submitting Plans and Information

Hard copies of plans are no longer accepted by the City.

  • For paid Preliminary Review:  Please use Accela (City of Cupertino Online Permit Services) to request a paid Preliminary Review. Once a request is submitted, a Planner will reach out to you to collect payment and send a link to ProjectDox to upload plans. These reviews will not be initiated until both payment and plans are received.
  • For Planning applications: Please talk to a Planner for instructions on how to make an application and upload plans. Planners have to take certain actions before plans can be uploaded. Plans must be uploaded using ProjectDox.
  • Upload Instructions: Please review Application Submission Requirements(PDF, 269KB) for an overview of the Planning application process including ACA account creation, fee payment, and ProjectDox submission requirements.

Due to a high volume of permit applications and staff resources, the time frame for plan review is currently longer than normal. We appreciate your patience as we seek additional support. The target average plan review time frames are 20-30 business days for the initial plan review and 15-25 business days for each subsequent review.

Planning Permit Applications

Planning Permit Application Form(PDF, 864KB)
Use this form for a:

  • Most permits except Design Review and Minor Residential Permits (in R1 zoning districts).
  • Mixed-use development applications.
  • Non-residential applications.
  • Fence and sign exceptions.
  • Guidelines and more information regarding SB 35 projects is available online here. Contains a list of all fees charged by the Planning Department. Also contains information required by the Public Works Department for meeting the C3 requirements for water retention on site etc.

Minor Residential and Design Review Application(PDF, 2MB)
Use this form for a:

  • Minor Residential Permit for:
    • one-story encroachment into the required rear yard setback,
    • extension of a legal non-conforming wall,
    • extension of a gable end enclosing attic space with a height above 17 feet and up to 20 feet out of
      the building envelope,
    • new or expanded second story decks,
    • modifications to setback and height restrictions due to solar design,
    • Development on actual slopes equal to or greater than 20% and with total floor area ratio of all structures on the lot greater than 35%.
  • Design Review Permit for a second story with a second story side yard setback of less than 15' or a second to first floor area ratio of more than 66%.

Please note that you need to apply for a Building Permit with the Building Department after you receive this planning permit. Please also note that no changes to the exterior elevations should be made once your Planning permit is approved without first consulting the Planning Department.

SB 330 Preliminary Application (Housing Crisis Act)(PDF, 415KB)
SB 330 allows eligible housing development projects to submit a "preliminary application" of required materials and information. When deemed submitted, development requirements, standards, and fees are "locked in" (vested) in place at the time of determination.

 

Fence Approval Form(PDF, 91KB)
Use this form to obtain permission from your neighbor to build an 8-foot tall fence where a 6-foot tall fence is allowed by code.

 

Streamlined Projects under SB 35(PDF, 3MB)
The City Council adopted procedures for processing Streamlined Projects on September 3, 2019. Please note that the SB 35 Checklist in Resolution No. 19-113 has been updated to reflect amendments to state law by AB 1485 and is available online here: SB 35 Eligibility Checklist(PDF, 221KB).

Miscellaneous Ministerial Permit Application Package (SB 9)(PDF, 411KB)
Complete this application package for residential development under Senate Bill 9.

Urban Lot Split Application Package (SB 9)(PDF, 474KB)
Complete this application package for lot splits under Senate Bill 9.

R1 Exception Permit Application(PDF, 591KB)
Use this form for projects that require an exception to the development regulations in Chapter 19.28 (Single Family (R1) Zoning) due to odd shaped lots or particularly difficult circumstances.

Collection Facility Application Form(PDF, 131KB)
Use this form for small collection facilities and reverse vending machines.

 

Temporary Sign Permit Form(PDF, 119KB)
Use this form to apply for a temporary sign, banner, etc, or apply online using the Online Permit Service Portal.

 

Tree Removal Application Form(PDF, 321KB)
Use this form to apply for tree removals of protected trees.

Privacy Screening Information

Privacy Screening Materials(PDF, 61KB)
Use these informational handouts to design your privacy plant landscaping for a second story permit.

Privacy Protection Planting Waiver(PDF, 106KB)
Use this form to obtain waivers from affected neighbors if they are willing to waive the privacy protection requirements for second story permits.

Privacy Protection Landscape Affidavit(PDF, 97KB)
Use this form to get a landscape architect/arborist to vouch that you have planted the privacy trees in accordance to the requirements of the R1 Ordinance and the approved plans.

Appeals

Appeal Form(PDF, 154KB)

Use this form to appeal a project. Please submit the form, along with required fees, to the City Clerk's Office.

Water, Stormwater, Environmental

Water Efficiency Checklist(PDF, 118KB)
Appendix A to Chapter 14.15. Use this form for your landscape project submittal. Submit only this form and landscape area calculation if your landscape area is under 2,500 s.f. If your landscape area is over 2,500 s.f., submit a complete landscape project submittal. See Chapter 14.15 - Landscape Ordinance for complete information.

 

Water Budget Calculation Worksheet(PDF, 134KB)
Appendix A to Chapter 14.15. Use this form in addition to the Water Efficiency Checklist if your project landscaping exceeds 2,500 s.f.. If your landscape area is over 2,500 s.f., submit a complete landscape project submittal. See Chapter 14.15 - Landscape Ordinance for complete information.

 

C3 Impervious Surface Data Form (2023)(PDF, 895KB)

Provided by the Public Works Department, Environmental Services. Must be submitted for all projects.

Other

AC Unit Sound Rating Worksheet(PDF, 2MB)
Use this worksheet to determine the required sound rating and setback for AC units, heat pumps, or generators to be in compliance with the City's Noise Ordinance.

 

Instructions for Recordation of Covenants(PDF, 94KB)
Read these carefully and follow these directions before you ask for final inspections.

 

Indemnification Form(PDF, 202KB)

 Include this form for all application submissions.

 

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Survey(PDF, 94KB)

This survey is required to be completed prior to any Final Occupation of an ADU. 

 

Climate Action Plan Consistency and CEQA GHG Emissions Compliance Checklist For Future Development(PDF, 510KB)

The Climate Action Plan Consistency and CEQA GHG Emissions Compliance Checklist (CAP/CEQA GHG Checklist) is required to accompany the City’s General Planning Application.

 

Construction Management Plan Guidelines(PDF, 161KB)

Use these guidelines to draft a construction management plan when required by a planning application or through Municipal Code Title 17.

 

Example of Fiscal Impact Analysis(PDF, 3MB)

Submitting Applications and Plans

Submitting Plans
Hard copies of plans are no longer accepted by the City.
  • For paid Preliminary Review:  Please use Accela (City of Cupertino Online Permit Services) to request a paid Preliminary Review. Once a request is submitted, a Planner will reach out to you to collect payment and send a link to ProjectDox to upload plans. These reviews will not be initiated until both payment and plans are received.
  • For Planning applications: Please talk to a Planner for instructions on how to make an application and upload plans. Planners have to take certain actions before plans can be uploaded. Plans must be uploaded using ProjectDox.
  • Upload Instructions: Please review Application Submission Requirements(PDF, 269KB) for an overview of the Planning application process including ACA account creation, fee payment, and ProjectDox submission requirements.

Due to a high volume of permit applications and staff resources, the time frame for plan review is currently longer than normal. We appreciate your patience as we seek additional support. The target average plan review time frames are 20-30 business days for the initial plan review and 15-25 business days for each subsequent review.

 

 

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