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

A defining feature of Upland's STR program (Chapter 17.23.1) is the strict primary-residence rule. The dwelling unit used for the short-term rental must be the primary residence of the host and remain so at all times. Per the City's application, the host shall be either the property owner (or the owner's spouse, parent, or adult child) or a tenant who occupied the property as their primary residence prior to applying and who has written authorization from the owner to operate the STR. To document primary residency, the applicant must provide at least two items in the host's name, such as motor vehicle registration, driver's license, voter registration, or tax documents showing the unit as the host's residence. Any accessory dwelling unit (ADU) defined under Chapter 17.37, and any unit subject to a covenant prohibiting rentals of 30 days or less, shall not be used as a short-term rental. STRs are limited to RS and RM residential zones and eligible Specific Plan single-family homes — not commercial, industrial, or mixed-use zones. This owner-occupancy requirement is set by Upland's ordinance; unincorporated San Bernardino County administers its own separate STR framework and may treat non-owner-occupied rentals differently.