Cupertino, CA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
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.
Key Facts
- Registration required
- Yes, plus City business license
- Disqualifier
- 2+ Code violations in prior year
- Registration term
- Calendar year, renew annually
- Inspection consent
- Required, business hours or anytime if complaint
- Transferability
- Non-transferable, expires on sale
Summary
No one may advertise or operate a short-term rental in Cupertino without first registering it with the City and obtaining a City business license under Municipal Code Chapter 5.08. Registration is submitted on a City form with a fee set by City Council resolution, runs on a calendar-year basis, and must be renewed annually.
No dwelling unit or portion thereof shall be advertised or used as a short-term rental unless the host has registered the Short-term Rental in the registry created by the City as provided in this Chapter and obtained a City business license. ... Fee: ... The host shall pay a registration fee prescribed by City Council resolution, no part of which shall be returnable to the registrant. ... Term of Registration: Registration of a short-term rental shall be on a calendar-year basis and must be renewed annually. Registration of a short-term rental is non-transferable and expires automatically upon sale, re-lease or transfer of property on which the short-term rental is located.
Full Breakdown
030 bars any dwelling unit from being advertised or used as a short-term rental until the host has registered it in the City's registry and obtained a City business license. ), or at any time in response to a complaint; and an indemnification agreement covering claims arising from the rental. A registration fee set by City Council resolution is required and is non-refundable. The City will only register the rental if the application is complete, the property and host have not had two or more Municipal Code violations in the preceding twelve months, and registration has not been denied or revoked within the prior year.
Approved hosts receive a unique registration number that must appear in every advertisement. Registration is valid for one calendar year, must be renewed annually, and is non-transferable, expiring automatically if the property is sold, re-leased, or transferred.
Violations & Fines
Advertising or operating an unregistered short-term rental, or one lacking a City business license, violates § 5.08.030 and exposes the host to misdemeanor prosecution, administrative fines and penalties under Title 1, and repayment of the City's investigative costs and unpaid transient occupancy taxes under § 5.08.070. Two qualifying violations within twelve months can also lead to registration denial or revocation under § 5.08.050.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I advertise my Cupertino home as a short-term rental before I register it?
What can disqualify a short-term rental registration application?
Does a Cupertino short-term rental registration transfer with the property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cupertino
How Cupertino compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·California rules heatmap·Compare Cupertino to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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Short-Term Rental Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle short-term rental permits.