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.

Short-Term Rental Laws in Sunnyvale, CA

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Verified: Feb 1, 2026

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Summary

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

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

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

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

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$440

Max Fine

$5,000

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

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

Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

•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.

Requirements(11)

•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 Process(3)

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•Sunnyvale STR permit - Step undefined: undefined.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Sunnyvale charges a registration fee of $440.

Taxes(1)

•Sunnyvale charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.125%.

Limits & Restrictions(3)

•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 Requirements(1)

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

Penalties(1)

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

Step-by-Step Application Guide

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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

Sunnyvale

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

Requirements(11)

Application Process(3)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(1)

Limits & Restrictions(3)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(1)

Create a free account

Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake

Sunnyvale

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

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?

Related Content

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

Anaheim

Mammoth Lakes

Big Bear Lake