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.
Unlike cities such as San Francisco or San Jose that allow a limited number of unhosted nights per year, Sunnyvale SMC 19.76 permits only hosted STRs. The host must physically reside at the property during every night of the guests stay. There is no allowance for unhosted weekends or vacation periods. Two-family dwellings are the only exception: the host can rent one unit while occupying the other. Platforms including Airbnb and VRBO have been notified of this restriction, and listings must reflect hosted-only availability. Hosts who leave town during a booking violate the ordinance and face fines starting at 500 dollars per night.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle night caps.
See how Sunnyvale's night caps rules stack up against other locations.
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