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

Chapter 42A of the Redwood City Municipal Code (adopted by City Council on March 26, 2018, effective for the 2019 program year) governs short-term rentals — defined as any stay of fewer than 30 consecutive nights. Per-stay occupancy is calculated as two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests, with a total cap of ten overnight guests regardless of bedroom count. The ordinance restricts STRs to the operator's primary residence (where the operator lives most of the time), so second homes, investment properties, and corporate rentals are excluded. Hosted operation — where the host is physically present on the property during the guest's stay — is not subject to any annual cap. Un-hosted operation, where the host is away during the booking, is capped at 120 nights per calendar year. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) cannot be used as short-term rentals unless they were registered with the City as STRs before January 1, 2020. Operators must register through the City's Short-Term Rental Program, hold a Redwood City business license, collect and remit the 12% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), provide on-site parking for guests, designate a local contact to handle complaints during the host's absence, and verify building, fire, and life-safety compliance. Special events such as weddings and corporate retreats are not permitted at STRs. State law (Government Code 65852.2) does not require Redwood City to allow STR use of an ADU.