Redwood City, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Per-Stay Limit
- 2 guests per bedroom + 2, max 10 total
- Un-hosted Day Cap
- 120 nights per year
- Hosted Day Cap
- Unlimited
- Primary Residence Only
- Required (no second homes)
- ADU Restriction
- Prohibited unless registered before Jan 1, 2020
- TOT Rate
- 12%
- Code Section
- RCMC Chapter 42A
Summary
Redwood City Municipal Code Chapter 42A limits short-term rental occupancy to two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests per stay, capped at ten guests total. STRs are restricted to the host's primary residence; second homes and investment properties are not permitted. Hosted stays (host on-site) have no annual day cap, while un-hosted stays are limited to 120 nights per calendar year. ADUs are prohibited from STR use unless they were registered with the City before January 1, 2020. Hosts must also designate a local contact who will respond to complaints whenever the host is away.
(l) All buildings or portions thereof not provided with adequate exit facilities as required by this code, except those buildings or portions thereof whose exit facilities conformed with all applicable laws at the time of their construction and that have been adequately maintained and increased in relation to any increase in occupant load, alteration or addition, or any change in occupancy.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
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. 2) does not require Redwood City to allow STR use of an ADU.
Violations & Fines
Operating outside Chapter 42A's occupancy or stay-type limits, exceeding ten guests, taking un-hosted bookings beyond 120 nights, hosting in a non-primary-residence, or running an unregistered ADU as an STR, is a violation enforceable by the Community Development Department and Code Enforcement. Sanctions include administrative citations, denial or revocation of the STR registration, and loss of the business license. Failing to collect or remit the 12% TOT is independently subject to back-taxes, penalties, and interest by the Finance Department. Hosting prohibited special events (weddings, corporate retreats) can trigger nuisance enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can stay in a Redwood City short-term rental?
How many nights per year can I rent out my home?
Can I short-term rent my ADU?
Can I host weddings or corporate events at my STR?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redwood City
California rules heatmap·Compare Redwood City to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Occupancy Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Mateo County handle occupancy limits.