Airbnb & Short-Term Rental Rules in San Jose, CA (2026)

Whether San Jose, CA permits short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO) has not been confirmed from an official source. Contact the local planning department through their official website to verify current STR rules — including whether hosting is permitted at all, registration requirements, and any local restrictions — before listing your property on Airbnb, VRBO, or a similar platform.

Statewide Preemption

Registration Requirements

Whether short-term rental registration is required in San Jose has not been confirmed from official sources. Contact the local planning department or local building department to verify current registration requirements before hosting on Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms.

Operational Rules

No specific operational rules listed for short-term rentals in San Jose beyond standard property codes.

• •Host must register with the City of San Jose before renting short-term
• •Property must be host's primary residence
• •Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) at 10% applies to all short-term rentals
• •Rental platforms must verify host registration
• •Maximum occupancy limits apply based on bedrooms
• •No short-term rental in ADUs where host does not reside on-site
• •Noise restrictions and neighbor notification provisions apply

Penalties for Violations

Specific penalty amounts for STR violations in San Jose are not listed. Contact the local planning department for enforcement information.

• ⚠Fines for operating without registration
• ⚠TOT delinquency penalties for non-payment
• ⚠Registration suspension or revocation for repeat violations
• ⚠Platform liability for listings without valid registration numbers

Frequently Asked Questions