Short-Term Rentals in Sunnyvale, CA (2026)
6 verified short-term rentals rules for Sunnyvale, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Sunnyvale bans short-term rentals citywide except for city-approved hosted rentals. Under SMC 19.76.030 and 19.76.050, a host must apply for and receive Community Development Director approval before advertising or operating any stay of thirty days or less, and the director's decision on the application is final.
Sunnyvale Short-Term Rental Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code §§ 19.76.030, 19.76.050
The short-term rental of residential property is a prohibited use in every zoning district in the city, with the exception of approved hosted rentals permitted pursuant to this chapter. ... No person shall undertake, maintain, authorize, aid, facilitate or advertise any hosted or short-term rental activity that does not comply with the provisions of this code. ... The director shall not approve...
Taxes & Fees
Sunnyvale short-term rental hosts collect and remit a 12.5% transient occupancy tax on every stay under SMC 3.16.040(d), register for a TOT certificate under 3.16.070, and pay whatever permit fee the city council sets by resolution under 19.76.080.
Sunnyvale Short-Term Rental Taxes and Fees
Some RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code § 19.76.080; § 3.16.040(d)
§ 19.76.080. Fees. The city council may establish and set by resolution all fees and charges as may be necessary to effectuate the purpose of this chapter. ... § 3.16.040(d): Commencing January 1, 2019, and continuing thereafter, the amount of the tax shall be twelve and one-half percent of the rent charged by the operator.
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Sunnyvale STRs must provide at least one off-street parking space per rented bedroom and cannot use RV parking or overflow street parking for guests under SMC 19.76.
Short Term Rentals: Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Vehicle Code § 22651(a), (b), (d), (k)
A peace officer ... may remove a vehicle ... under the following circumstances: (a) If a vehicle is left unattended upon a bridge, viaduct, or causeway ... (b) If a vehicle is parked or left standing upon a highway in a position so as to obstruct the normal movement of traffic or in a condition so as to create a hazard to other traffic upon the highway. ... (d) If a vehicle is illegally parked ...
Occupancy Limits
Sunnyvale STR occupancy is capped at 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional, not to exceed the building code maximum. Commercial events and parties are prohibited.
Short Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits
Significant RestrictionsCalifornia Health and Safety Code § 17920.3(a)(9), (12), (16)
Any building or portion thereof including any dwelling unit, guestroom or suite of rooms, or the premises on which the same is located, in which there exists any of the following listed conditions to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety, or welfare of the public or the occupants thereof shall be deemed and hereby is declared to be a substandard building: (a) Inadequ...
Host Presence Rule
Sunnyvale only permits hosted short-term rentals, meaning the host must physically reside on site throughout every lodger's stay. Section 19.76.040(a)(4) defines residing on site as using the property as a primary residence for eating, sleeping and daily living while lodgers are present.
Sunnyvale Short-Term Rental Host Presence Rule
Significant RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code § 19.76.040(a)(4)
The host shall reside on site throughout the lodgers' stay. To reside on site means that the property being used for short-term rentals is the host's primary residence and the host uses the property for purposes of eating, sleeping, and other activities of daily living during the time periods that lodgers are present. Lodgers may stay in an accessory dwelling unit if the host resides in the pri...
Host Platform Liability
Hosting platforms listing Sunnyvale short-term rentals must disclose tax and chapter requirements to hosts, notify hosts of city-reported violations, deactivate listings immediately after a revocation, and retain transaction records for five years under Section 19.76.060.
Sunnyvale Short-Term Rental Platform Duties
Some RestrictionsSunnyvale, CA, Municipal Code § 19.76.060
Hosting platforms shall provide the following information to any user listing a short-term rental located within the city through the hosting platform's service: (1) Information regarding transient occupancy tax obligations; (2) All requirements of this chapter regulating short term rentals. (b) Hosting Platforms shall take immediate action to notify the host upon notification by the city of a ...
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sunnyvale city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Santa Clara County →