Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Los Gatos, CA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Los Gatos, CA, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are authorized by Los Gatos Town Code Article XIV but are limited by primary-residence rules (host must reside there at least 9 months/year), separate hosted vs. un-hosted limits (hosted: up to 180 nights/year; un-hosted: up to 30 nights/year), a 5% cap of total housing stock, occupancy limits (two persons per bedroom plus one), parking and ADU restrictions, and a 24-hour local representative requirement. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rentals are authorized by Los Gatos Town Code Article XIV but are limited by primary-residence rules (host must reside there at least 9 months/year), separate hosted vs. un-hosted limits (hosted: up to 180 nights/year; un-hosted: up to 30 nights/year), a 5% cap of total housing stock, occupancy limits (two persons per bedroom plus one), parking and ADU restrictions, and a 24-hour local representative requirement.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Los Gatos. 1) Submit the Town Business License/TOT Registration via the HDL Business License Portal along with the Short-Term Rental Application, including two proofs of primary residence and local representative info. 2) Undergo Planning and Finance review, pay required fees, and complete a Health & Safety inspection if no Certificate of Occupancy is available. 3) Receive the annual STR license, which must be renewed at the end of each calendar year.

1) Submit the Town Business License/TOT Registration via the HDL Business License Portal along with the Short-Term Rental Application, including two proofs of primary residence and local representative info. 2) Undergo Planning and Finance review, pay required fees, and complete a Health & Safety inspection if no Certificate of Occupancy is available. 3) Receive the annual STR license, which must be renewed at the end of each calendar year.

Vrbo is permitted in Los Gatos, CA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Los Gatos are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Los Gatos. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.