What are the key requirements for Sunnyvale hosts?

Hosted-only requirement: The host must be physically present during the guest's entire stay.

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Sunnyvale?

No unhosted 'whole-home' rentals allowed in residential zones.

What should Sunnyvale hosts know about adus built after jan 1?

ADUs built after Jan 1, 2020, cannot be used for short-term rentals under state law.

Are there rental limits in Sunnyvale?

Guest limit is capped at 4 adults, though minor children with an adult are excluded from the count.

What should Sunnyvale hosts know about hoa or landlord written consent?

HOA or landlord written consent is required if the applicant is a tenant or in a common interest development.

Sunnyvale

Prohibited

California · City of SunnyvaleUpdated Apr 8, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 4 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 1, 2026Sources 4

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in Sunnyvale are permitted only as hosted stays where the primary resident remains on-site throughout the guest's stay.

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Residential STRs prohibited
Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Host presence required (hosted-only)
Moderate permit fee: $440
Limited to 1 property per owner
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

You can only rent out a portion of your home in Sunnyvale if you live there and are physically present during the entire stay. 'Whole-home' rentals where the host is away (unhosted) are strictly prohibited in residential zones. You must register with the city, obtain a permit, and display your permit number on all listings.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$440

Max fine$5,000

5 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Hosted-only requirement: The host must be physically present during the guest's entire stay.
2No unhosted 'whole-home' rentals allowed in residential zones.
3ADUs built after Jan 1, 2020, cannot be used for short-term rentals under state law.
4Guest limit is capped at 4 adults, though minor children with an adult are excluded from the count.
5HOA or landlord written consent is required if the applicant is a tenant or in a common interest development.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Sunnyvale requires that the property be the host's primary residence.
Sunnyvale allows tenants to host STRs.
Sunnyvale requires the host to be present during STR stays (hosted rentals only).
Sunnyvale limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Sunnyvale: ADUs built after Jan 1, 2020, cannot be used for short-term rentals under state law.

Requirements11 rules

Sunnyvale STR warning: HOA or landlord written consent is required if the applicant is a tenant or in a common interest development.
Sunnyvale STR warning: Hosted-only requirement: The host must be physically present during the guest's entire stay.
Sunnyvale STR warning: Guest limit is capped at 4 adults, though minor children with an adult are excluded from the count.

Application process3 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Sunnyvale: Step undefined: undefined - undefined Step undefined: undefined - undefined Step undefined: undefined - undefined Step undefined: undefined - undefined Step undefined: undefined - undefined Step undefined: undefined - undefined
Sunnyvale STR permit - Step undefined: undefined.

Fees & costs1 rule

Sunnyvale charges a registration fee of $440.

Taxes1 rule

Sunnyvale charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.125%.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Sunnyvale: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Sunnyvale limits STRs to a maximum of 4 guests.
Sunnyvale: Guest limit is capped at 4 adults, though minor children with an adult are excluded from the count.

Safety requirements1 rule

Sunnyvale requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

Penalties1 rule

Sunnyvale enforces the following penalties for STR violations: Maximum fine: 5000.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Sunnyvale

0/6

steps completed

Step

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes 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.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Sunnyvale

Prohibited

California · City of SunnyvaleUpdated Apr 8, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 4 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 1, 2026Sources 4

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in Sunnyvale are permitted only as hosted stays where the primary resident remains on-site throughout the guest's stay.

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Residential STRs prohibited
Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Host presence required (hosted-only)
Moderate permit fee: $440
Limited to 1 property per owner
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredNo

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$440

Max fine$5,000

5 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Hosted-only requirement: The host must be physically present during the guest's entire stay.
2No unhosted 'whole-home' rentals allowed in residential zones.
3ADUs built after Jan 1, 2020, cannot be used for short-term rentals under state law.
4Guest limit is capped at 4 adults, though minor children with an adult are excluded from the count.
5HOA or landlord written consent is required if the applicant is a tenant or in a common interest development.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Sunnyvale requires that the property be the host's primary residence.
Sunnyvale allows tenants to host STRs.
Sunnyvale requires the host to be present during STR stays (hosted rentals only).
Sunnyvale limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Sunnyvale: ADUs built after Jan 1, 2020, cannot be used for short-term rentals under state law.

Requirements11 rules

Sunnyvale STR warning: HOA or landlord written consent is required if the applicant is a tenant or in a common interest development.
Sunnyvale STR warning: Hosted-only requirement: The host must be physically present during the guest's entire stay.
Sunnyvale STR warning: Guest limit is capped at 4 adults, though minor children with an adult are excluded from the count.

Application process3 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Sunnyvale: Step undefined: undefined - undefined Step undefined: undefined - undefined Step undefined: undefined - undefined Step undefined: undefined - undefined Step undefined: undefined - undefined Step undefined: undefined - undefined
Sunnyvale STR permit - Step undefined: undefined.

Fees & costs1 rule

Sunnyvale charges a registration fee of $440.

Taxes1 rule

Sunnyvale charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.125%.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Sunnyvale: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Sunnyvale limits STRs to a maximum of 4 guests.
Sunnyvale: Guest limit is capped at 4 adults, though minor children with an adult are excluded from the count.

Safety requirements1 rule

Sunnyvale requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

Penalties1 rule

Sunnyvale enforces the following penalties for STR violations: Maximum fine: 5000.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Sunnyvale

0/6

steps completed

Step

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

5 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Frequently asked questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Sunnyvale, CA?

2What is the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rate in Sunnyvale?

3Can I rent out my entire house in Sunnyvale?

4What are the registration requirements for Sunnyvale hosts?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

5 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Frequently asked questions

1Are short-term rentals allowed in Sunnyvale, CA?

2What is the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rate in Sunnyvale?

3Can I rent out my entire house in Sunnyvale?

4What are the registration requirements for Sunnyvale hosts?

Disclaimer