Sunnyvale, CA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Sunnyvale, CA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- SMC Chapter 19.76
- Permit required
- Yes, director approval before operating
- Application includes
- Host and owner contact info, HOA letter if applicable
- Decision
- Director's approval decision is final
- Unpermitted operation
- Declared a public nuisance, city attorney abates
- Enacting ordinances
- Ord. 3059-15, amended by Ord. 3192-22
Summary
Sunnyvale bans short-term rentals citywide except for city-approved hosted rentals. Under SMC 19.76.030 and 19.76.050, a host must apply for and receive Community Development Director approval before advertising or operating any stay of thirty days or less, and the director's decision on the application is final.
The short-term rental of residential property is a prohibited use in every zoning district in the city, with the exception of approved hosted rentals permitted pursuant to this chapter. ... No person shall undertake, maintain, authorize, aid, facilitate or advertise any hosted or short-term rental activity that does not comply with the provisions of this code. ... The director shall not approve the short-term rental application unless he or she finds that the use will comply with the requirements of this code and other applicable law. The decision of the director shall be final.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4856529; v14 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
76 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code makes short-term rental of residential property a prohibited use in every zoning district, with a single carve-out for hosted rentals approved under the chapter. To operate legally, a host must submit an application to the director of community development containing the host's name, address and contact information; the property owner's name, address and contact information (with the owner's signed consent if the host is not the owner); and, for any property in a common interest development, a letter from the homeowners' association confirming the use meets the property's requirements.
The director may request any additional information needed to describe existing property conditions and proposed operations. Sunnyvale will not approve the application unless the director finds the proposed use will comply with the code and all other applicable law, and that finding is final, with no administrative appeal built into the chapter itself. 16. 070 after notice and a hearing before the director of community development.
Violations & Fines
Operating, maintaining, authorizing, aiding, facilitating or advertising a short-term rental without an approved application violates Section 19.76.050(a). Section 19.76.090 declares any short-term rental operated contrary to the chapter a public nuisance that the city attorney may abate, remove or enjoin, in addition to any other remedy available under the code or state law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent my Sunnyvale home short-term without a permit?
What must I submit to apply for a Sunnyvale short-term rental approval?
Can I appeal if the director denies my short-term rental application?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sunnyvale
How Sunnyvale compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·California rules heatmap·Compare Sunnyvale 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.