Cupertino, CA Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Response time
- 60 minutes to complaints
- Who can be Local Contact
- Host or a designated person
- Hosted stay
- Host occupies residence during rental
- Un-hosted stay
- Host absent during rental
- Enforcement
- Misdemeanor plus Title 1 fines
Summary
Cupertino requires every short-term rental to have a 'Local Contact,' either the host or someone the host designates, who must be reachable throughout the rental and respond to complaints about the property's condition, operation, or guest conduct within sixty minutes. The code also distinguishes hosted stays, where the host remains on-site, from un-hosted stays where the host is away.
"Host" means a natural person or people who offer(s) short-term rentals in their primary residence. ... "Local Contact" means the host or a person designated by a host who shall be available during the term of any short-term rental for the purposes of: Responding within sixty minutes to complaints regarding the condition or operation of the short-term rental, or the conduct of guests, and Taking appropriate remedial action to resolve such complaints.
Full Breakdown
020. The chapter requires every registration to designate a 'Local Contact,' who can be the host or another person the host names, and who must be available during the entire term of any short-term rental for two purposes: responding within sixty minutes to complaints about the condition or operation of the rental or the conduct of guests, and taking appropriate remedial action to resolve those complaints. 080. The chapter separately defines a 'hosted stay' as one where the host occupies the primary residence for the entire rental term, and an 'un-hosted stay' as one where the host is not present.
030. Because Cupertino only permits short-term rentals as a home occupation within a host's primary residence, the Local Contact requirement guarantees the City and neighbors have someone accountable and reachable even on nights the host is not physically present.
Violations & Fines
A host or hosting platform that violates any provision of Chapter 5.08, including the Local Contact requirement, is guilty of a misdemeanor and faces administrative fines, citations and penalties under Title 1, plus reimbursement of the City's investigative costs and any unpaid transient occupancy taxes (§ 5.08.070). Two Municipal Code violations tied to the property within twelve months can also trigger revocation of the short-term rental registration under § 5.08.050.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Local Contact have to be the host?
What must the Local Contact do when a complaint comes in?
Is there a difference between a hosted and un-hosted stay for registration purposes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cupertino
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