What should Cupertino hosts know about adus and junior adus are?

ADUs and Junior ADUs are strictly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.

Are there rental limits in Cupertino?

Unhosted stays (where the owner is not present) are capped at 60 nights per calendar year.

Are there rental limits in Cupertino?

Guest occupancy is very restrictive, limited to just 2 transient guests per the city's official regulations checklist.

What are the key requirements for Cupertino hosts?

Owners must maintain a license plate registry for all guest vehicles.

Short-Term Rental Laws in Cupertino, CA

Gold Standard Verification

100%

Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Feb 4, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

Short-term rentals in Cupertino are permitted only in primary residences, require a business license and registration, and are subject to a 60-night annual limit for unhosted stays.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Strict night cap: 60 nights/year
•Standard permit fee: $232
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

You can only rent out your primary home in Cupertino; second homes and vacation rentals are strictly prohibited. You must obtain a city business license and an STR permit, and while you can host guests year-round while present, you are limited to 60 nights per year for unhosted rentals. ADUs (accessory dwelling units) and JADUs cannot be used as short-term rentals under any circumstances.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

60/year

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$232

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•Cupertino allows tenants to host STRs.
•Cupertino limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
•Cupertino allows STRs in the following zones: Residential Zones, Agricultural Zones.
•Cupertino allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family Residence, Condo (with HOA approval).
•Cupertino requires that the property be the host's primary residence.

Requirements(7)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Cupertino: 1. ADUs and Junior ADUs are strictly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals. 2. Unhosted stays (where the owner is not present) are capped at 60 nights per calendar year. 3. Guest occupancy is very restrictive, limited to just 2 transient guests per the city's official regulations checklist. 4. Owners must maintain a license plate registry for all guest vehicles.

Application Process(5)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Cupertino: Step 1: Obtain Business License - Apply for a Home Occupation Business License Certification from the City of Cupertino Administrative Services Department. Documents needed: Business license application form, Home Occupation permit form. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: $181. More info: https://www.cupertino.org/our-city/departments/administrative-services/business-license Step 2: Submit STR Registration - Complete the Short-Term Rental Registration online, providing details about the rental unit and confirming primary residency. Documents needed: Government issued ID, Site plan/Floor plan, Proof of primary residence (voter reg, utility bill), HOA/Owner approval letter (if applicable). Estimated time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: $232. More info: https://www.cupertino.org/our-city/departments/community-development/planning/short-term-rentals Step 3: Activate Listing - Post the issued STR permit number on all advertising platforms and listing descriptions. Documents needed: Permit number. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2607

Fees & Costs(1)

•Cupertino charges a registration fee of $232 (annual).

Taxes(1)

•Cupertino charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.12%.

Limits & Restrictions(3)

•Cupertino limits STRs to 60 nights per year.
•Cupertino limits STRs to a maximum of 2 guests.
•Cupertino limits STRs to a maximum of 1 vehicles.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Cupertino requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted emergency contact, parking, trash plan, noise restrictions (Quiet hours 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.).

Penalties(1)

•Cupertino enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First violation: Varies by code enforcement. Subsequent violations: Potential revocation of permit.

Exemptions(1)

•Cupertino exempts the following from STR regulations: bed and breakfast establishments, hotels and motels, long-term stays (30+ days), Stays of 30 nights or longer.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Unlock: 3-Step Application Guide

Get step-by-step application guides and access to all 51+ markets.

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

California

Strict

The City of Los Angeles requires all short-term rental hosts to register for a Home-Sharing permit and only permits the rental of one's primary residence. Stays are capped at 120 days per year unless an Extended Home-Sharing permit is obtained, and rentals in RSO-regulated buildings or newer ADUs are strictly prohibited.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Anaheim

California

Prohibited

Short-term rentals in Anaheim are strictly limited to approximately 277 'pre-moratorium' operators who were grandfathered in 2019. The city currently prohibits the issuance of any new STR permits. Allowed operators must follow rigid 'Good Neighbor' policies, enforce a 3-night minimum stay, and pay a 15% Transient Occupancy Tax.

Permit required

15.0% total tax

Mammoth Lakes

California

Moderate

Short-term rentals are heavily regulated in Mammoth Lakes and generally restricted to multi-family and resort zones (RMF-2, Resort, etc.). Hosts must obtain an STR Certificate and a Business Tax Certificate, and pay a total TOT rate of 13%. Stays of 31 days or longer are exempt from these regulations.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Big Bear Lake

California

Strict

The City of Big Bear Lake regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 5.44, requiring an annual license, rigorous safety inspections, and a strict guest limit of 2 per bedroom plus 2. Owners are limited to 2 licenses total and must remit a 9% combined TOT and TBID tax quarterly.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Cupertino

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Create a free account

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(7)

Application Process(5)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(1)

Limits & Restrictions(3)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(1)

Create a free account

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake

Cupertino

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Cupertino?

2Are there night limits for Cupertino short-term rentals?

3What is the TOT tax rate in Cupertino?

4Can I rent my ADU as a short-term rental in Cupertino?

5Is a primary residence required for Cupertino STRs?

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake