When deciding whether to become an Airbnb host, it's important for you to understand the laws in your city. As a platform and marketplace we do not provide legal advice, but we want to provide some useful links that may help you better understand laws and regulations in Cupertino. This list is not exhaustive, but it should give you a good start in understanding your local laws. We’ll continue to update this information as more becomes available. If you have questions, contact the Planning Division or other city agencies directly, or consult a local lawyer or tax professional.
Registration is required to host in Cupertino. Register now to continue hosting short-term stays.
Hosts in Cupertino are required to register with the City and post their permit number on their listing, or claim a valid reason for exemption, in order to comply with the ordinance.
Listings without a permit number or exemption posted will be blocked from hosting short-term stays (29 nights or less at a time) in Cupertino.
You can learn more about what’s required for your listing in the sections below.
For additional questions about what’s required to host in Cupertino, visit the City’s Short-Term Rentals page.
If you host your primary residence, you’ll need to obtain a Business License Certification and apply for a short-term rental registration number.
Anyone who hosts short-term stays (29 nights or less at a time) in Cupertino needs to obtain a Business License Certification. You can apply on the city’s website or you can download the application and submit it to the Department of Administrative Services in person or by mail.
If you host short-term stays, you’ll also need a short-term rental registration number to host in Cupertino. You can apply online on the city’s website. Registration costs $200 and must be renewed each year.
To register, you’ll need to provide the following:
Once you submit your registration application and fee, the City will provide a temporary permit number to add to your listing while they review your information. When the application is approved, the city will notify you via email that the number is verified and you may continue using the same number. If your submission requires additional review, the City will reach out to let you know.
Your registration is valid for one year from the date that your pending permit number was issued and must be renewed annually.
Second homes and vacation rentals are not eligible to host short-term rentals in Cupertino. If you’d like to continue receiving bookings, you can switch to long-term stays (30 or more nights), which don’t require a permit number in Cupertino. You can update this in your availability settings.
If you host a hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast, your listing is exempt from registration, but you’ll still need to claim an exemption through Airbnb to comply. This is free of cost.
If you only accept bookings for 30 or more nights at a time, you are not required to register your listing or take any action on Airbnb. If you’d like to switch to long-term stays, you can update this in your availability settings.
In addition to registering with the City, short-term rentals in Cupertino must comply with local hosting rules, including the following:
Guests who book Airbnb listings in Cupertino, CA will pay a Transient Occupancy Tax (12% of the gross receipts including any cleaning fees) for reservations 30 nights and shorter. Airbnb will collect and remit TOT on the operator’s behalf.
As a host, you need to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, including leases, co-op rules, HOA rules, or other rules established by tenant organizations. You should be able to find out more by contacting your housing authority (such as a community council) or landlord. Your lease (or other contract) might also have specific details.
We are committed to working with local officials to help them understand how Airbnb benefits our community. Where needed, we will continue to advocate for changes that will allow regular people to rent out their own homes.