Short-term rentals in Redwood City: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Redwood City Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Redwood City's code says

Redwood City code What Redwood City's code adds
Allowed	Limited. Allowed in a host's principal residence. Applies: Not in Single Room Occupancy Facilities or Group Homes. § 31.3 · code text Short-term rental uses shall be permitted in any principal residence except Single Room Occupancy Facilities and Group Homes subject to the requirements of this Section, including compliance with the operating standards, registration, Transient Occupancy Tax payments, and recordkeeping obligations. Only existing short-term rentals registered with the City before January 1, 2020. Applies: Accessory dwelling units; all other short-term rentals in accessory dwelling units are not allowed. § 31.3 · code text Except as provided for in this Section, all other short-term rental uses shall be prohibited, except for existing short-term rentals in accessory dwelling units that were registered with the City prior to January 1, 2020.
Nights per year	No more than 120 days per calendar year. Applies: Unhosted rentals of a principal residence, with no host present. § 31.3 · code text A principal residence may be occupied as a short-term rental for no more than one hundred twenty (120) days per calendar year where no host is present. No limit on days. Applies: Hosted rentals, where the host is on the property at all times between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. § 31.3 · code text There shall be no limit on the number of days a principal residence may be occupied as a short-term rental where the host is present.
Permit or registration	City short-term rental registration and a permit or license number are required. Applies: Before advertising or offering the principal residence for rent. § 31.3 · code text Prior to advertising or making available the principal residence for renting, hosts shall register their principal residence as a short-term rental with the City.
Primary residence	Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed only in the host's principal residence. § 31.3 · code text Short-term rental uses shall be permitted in any principal residence except Single Room Occupancy Facilities and Group Homes subject to the requirements of this Section

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent out my home short-term in Redwood City?

City law: short-term rentals are allowed only in the host's principal residence; unhosted rentals are limited to 120 days per calendar year.

Short-term rentals in Redwood City

Key points

What Redwood City's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Redwood City property

More on renting & eviction in Redwood City