Short-term rental permit rules in Cupertino, CA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Cupertino requires anyone hosting stays of 30 nights or less to register the short-term rental with the City and obtain a Business License Certification before operating. The rules were adopted by ordinance on September 15, 2020 and codified as Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 5.08.
Cupertino Municipal Code Chapter 5.08 (Short-Term Rental Activity), adopted September 15, 2020 with registrations from January 2021, governs residential rentals of 30 days or less such as Airbnb and Vrbo. Under Section 5.08.030 an operator must obtain a Business License Certification and register the unit with the City before advertising or renting. Only the operator's primary residence qualifies; second homes and non-owner-occupied units are not eligible. The operator must provide a local contact reachable within 60 minutes, keep a guest manual on site, and meet occupancy, parking, and noise standards. California Government Code Section 66323 separately bars renting an accessory dwelling unit for fewer than 30 days, so an ADU cannot be a short-term rental.
Operating without registration or a Business License Certification violates CMC Chapter 5.08 and is enforced under the City's general penalty provisions in Chapter 1.12, including fines and revocation of the registration.
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