Based on the City of Sunnyvale's El Camino Real Specific Plan (Chapter 19.36 of the Municipal Code, adopted 2022), here are the uses permitted by-right ("P") — meaning no conditional permit is required — in the ECR-C (El Camino Real – Commercial) district, which is the applicable zoning designation for a standalone commercial building like 950 E El Camino Real along this corridor:
Permitted By-Right (P) Uses — ECR-C District
Retail sales business (includes furniture, design, flooring, cabinetry, and similar showroom retail — the property's current use)
Retail service (e.g., dry cleaner, tailor, print shop, equipment rental storefront)
Personal service business (e.g., salon, barber, spa, med spa, Korean Spa, Acupuncture, Chiropractor)
Massage establishment (subject to Chapter 9.41 licensing)
Take-out only restaurant- This can be changed with a CUP and use of the back lot- Contact the city
Financial institution (e.g., bank branch, Mortgage company, Real Estate Company)
Ground floor dependent office, under 1,000 SF
Open or unenclosed storage ancillary to a permitted use (must be screened from public view)
A few notable uses that are close but require a Miscellaneous Plan Permit (MPP) rather than being outright permitted — worth flagging since they're common inquiries for a space like this:
Restaurant/fast-food with beer & wine service-- Togo is already by right- sit down needs additional permits
Service commercial (general)
Ground floor dependent office over 1,000 SF
Childcare center (30 or fewer children)
Outside display of merchandise
Zoning Disclosure: The permitted-use list above is compiled directly from the City of Sunnyvale Municipal Code (Table 19.36.060B) for the ECR-C zoning district under the El Camino Real Specific Plan. It has not been independently verified against the official ECRSP zoning map to confirm which sub-district (ECR-C vs. a node-based ECR-MU) and node/segment classification applies to this specific parcel. Permitted use designations — including the distinction between "Permitted" (P) and "Miscellaneous Plan Permit" (MPP) — can vary by node vs. segment location. Prospective tenants, buyers, and their representatives should confirm the parcel's exact zoning classification and permitted uses with the City of Sunnyvale Planning Division prior to relying on this list for leasing, purchase, or other binding decisions.