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Cupertino, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Studio/single room cap
2 guests maximum
1+ bedroom formula
2 guests per bedroom
Disclosure
Posted in required guest manual
Bookings per parcel/night
One rental agreement only

Summary

Cupertino caps how many overnight guests a short-term rental can host based on unit size. A studio or single-room rental is limited to two guests, while a one-bedroom or larger unit allows up to twice the number of bedrooms in overnight guests, under Municipal Code § 5.08.030.

5. Maximum number of overnight guests Studio unit/or single room rental - Maximum of two guests. One-bedroom or more - Total of two times the number of bedrooms in the dwelling unit or portion thereof rented per the rental agreement.

Full Breakdown

030, item 5 sets Cupertino's maximum overnight guest count for a registered short-term rental. A studio unit or a single-room rental is limited to two guests. For a one-bedroom or larger unit, the limit is two times the number of bedrooms in the dwelling unit or portion of it covered by the rental agreement, so a three-bedroom home could host up to six overnight guests. The limit applies to overnight guests specifically, tying the occupancy cap to the rental agreement rather than to daytime visitors.

030, item 6, which must be provided to every guest with their booking confirmation and displayed prominently inside the rental. The manual must also cover City rules on noise, quiet hours, trash collection, and vehicle parking so guests understand the occupancy limit alongside the other conduct rules that apply to the stay. Because only one short-term rental agreement or hosting-platform booking is permitted per parcel per night under item 3, the occupancy cap cannot be circumvented by running two simultaneous bookings on the same property. 040, which can occur during regular business hours or, in response to a complaint, at any time.

Violations & Fines

Hosting more overnight guests than the bedroom-based formula allows, or failing to post the maximum in the guest manual, violates § 5.08.030 and subjects the host to misdemeanor prosecution and administrative fines under § 5.08.070, and can count as one of the two violations that trigger registration denial or revocation under § 5.08.050.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many guests can stay overnight at a Cupertino short-term rental?
It depends on the unit size: a studio or single-room rental is capped at two guests, and a one-bedroom or larger unit allows up to two guests per bedroom in the portion of the unit covered by the rental agreement, under § 5.08.030.
Where does the host have to post the maximum occupancy?
In the guest manual required by § 5.08.030, item 6, which must cover maximum occupancy and local contact information, be given to guests with their booking confirmation, and be prominently displayed inside the rental unit.
Can a host book two separate short-term rental groups on the same night to exceed the guest cap?
No. Section 5.08.030, item 3 limits a parcel to one short-term rental agreement or hosting-platform booking per night, so the bedroom-based occupancy formula cannot be doubled by running simultaneous bookings.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Cupertino

All Cupertino rules

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