Cupertino, CA Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)

040 requires the registrant to submit documentation that the property where the short-term rental activity is to be conducted is the host's primary residence before the City will issue a registration number. If the property is rented to a long-term tenant or owned by someone other than the applicant, the registrant must also produce a letter of approval from the owner. 030, item 1, which allows short-term rentals within any legally permitted dwelling unit except an Accessory Dwelling Unit, and its location limit restricting activity to legally-permitted habitable space.

Registration is non-transferable and automatically expires if the property is sold, re-leased, or transferred, so a new resident cannot inherit a predecessor's registration; the primary-residence documentation must be refiled for the new owner or tenant. Together these provisions mean investment properties, vacation homes not occupied by their owner, and detached ADUs cannot legally host short-term rentals in Cupertino regardless of zoning district.