Night Caps: Mountain View vs Sunnyvale
How do night caps rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
Mountain View has fewer restrictions than Sunnyvale.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Mountain View does not impose a hard annual night cap on short-term rentals, but any stay exceeding 30 consecutive days converts to a long-term rental subject to different rules.
View full Mountain View rules →Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara County
Unhosted nights are effectively zero in Sunnyvale because only hosted STRs are allowed. Hosts must be on-site during the entire guest stay under SMC 19.76.
View full Sunnyvale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual night cap | Not currently set | - |
| Stay-length threshold | 30 days = long-term | - |
| Long-term conversion | Subject to CSFRA rules | - |
| Zoning check | Verify unit type | - |
| Ordinance updates | Monitor city announcements | - |
| Unhosted Nights | - | 0 per year |
| Host Presence | - | Required every night |
| Duplex Exception | - | Owner in other unit |
| Fine | - | Starting 500 dollars per night |
| Code | - | SMC 19.76 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
How many nights per year can I short-term rent in Mountain View?
There is no set annual cap. However, stays over 30 days are long-term and may trigger CSFRA rent stabilization on the unit.
Could a night cap be adopted later?
Yes. Check the city's current ordinance and watch council agendas for any proposed updates.
Sunnyvale FAQ
Can I have a property manager stay on-site instead of me?
No. The ordinance requires the host as their primary residence. A paid manager does not satisfy the hosted requirement.
What counts as proof of primary residency?
Drivers license, voter registration, utility bills, and tax returns showing the address are all accepted by the Community Development Department.
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