Santa Clara, California Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
Santa Clara Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
The good news for individuals looking to start a short-term rental business in Santa Clara is that while new legislation may be on the way, there are presently no rules in place to oversee these types of rentals in the city of Santa Clara. The only stipulation is that any short-term rental in the city must pay the TOT. Ordinances and Zoning are subject to changes and should always be confirmed with the City of Santa Clara.Business License Requirements
Santa Clara doesn’t have any regulations pertaining to registering short-term rentals. If applicable, apply for all State and County licenses.Building and Housing Standards
Santa Clara has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Please consult the Santa Clara Code of Ordinances and contact the Building Division for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
Any person or business engaged in renting any number of rooms for lodging, living, or sleeping purposes must collect, report, and remit Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). The rate of the Transient Occupancy Tax is now 11.5 percent.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the Santa Clara website for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating5.8
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Competition
4.2 -
Real Estate Cost
2.5 -
STR Regulations
10.0 -
Seasonality
6.5 -
Rental Rates
6.1
Santa Clara, California Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 127,647
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- June through August
- County
- Santa Clara
- Airports
- Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Want to learn more about Santa Clara?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Santa Clara rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Santa Clara rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Santa Clara.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Santa Clara guests.
Interested in other California cities?
Check out the California short term rental regulations directory
What makes Santa Clara a great place to invest?
- Santa Clara, California is a city that is rich in cultural attractions, with a variety of museums, historical sites, and cultural events to explore. For example, visitors can explore the Santa Clara Convention Center, which hosts a variety of exhibitions and events throughout the year, including the annual Silicon Valley International Auto Show.
- The city is also home to Levi's Stadium, the home of the San Francisco 49ers, which offers fans the chance to experience live NFL action up close and personal. With its state-of-the-art facilities, the stadium is a must-visit destination for sports fans.
- For outdoor recreation, Santa Clara is home to a variety of parks and natural spaces, including the Santa Clara Central Park, which offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and a lake for fishing and boating.
- And for those seeking a bit of relaxation and pampering, Santa Clara is home to a variety of spas and wellness centers, offering a variety of treatments and services to help visitors unwind and rejuvenate.
- The city is also a great base for exploring the greater Bay Area, with easy access to popular attractions like San Francisco, San Jose, and Monterey.
Santa Clara Nearby Cities
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4 miles away
- Rating: 5.4
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4 miles away
- Rating: 4.6
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Santa Clara?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Santa Clara has decreased -8% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $935, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$1,437,225
-8% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$935
-5% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$3,364
1% YoY
Local Short-Term Rental News for Santa Clara
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Santa Clara, California
Common terms for Santa Clara short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Santa Clara has a description approximately 1,472 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 3,757 listings in Santa Clara, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are San Jose, Silicon Valley, Place, Quiet, Santana Row, Easy, Santa Clara, Desk, Backyard, and Comfortable.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Santa Clara?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Santa Clara involve going to the City Centre, Museums, Outlet Shopping, Swimming, and Adventure Activities. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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City Centre
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Museums
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Outlet Shopping
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Swimming
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Adventure Activities
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Cycling
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Hiking
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Zoo
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Theme Parks
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Health Spa
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Winery Tours
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Water Parks
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Santa Clara, including Levi's Stadium, California's Great America, SAP Center at San Jose, Santana Row Shopping Center, and San Jose Convention Center. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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SAP Center at San Jose
Included on 68% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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San Jose Convention Center
Included on 68% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Santa Clara University
Included on 68% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Westfield Valley Fair Shopping Mall
Included on 68% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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California's Great America
Included on 67% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Santana Row Shopping Center
Included on 67% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Winchester Mystery House
Included on 67% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Levi's Stadium
Included on 67% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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San Jose State University
Included on 67% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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PayPal Park
Included on 67% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Apple Campus
Included on 64% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center
Included on 64% of listings
What’s the weather like in Santa Clara, California?
The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 71°, while the average low is about 52°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 19 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in Santa Clara are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
45° Low 61° High
Spring
March through May
51° Low 70° High
Summer
June through August
59° Low 79° High
Fall
September through November
53° Low 73° High
Cities Near Santa Clara
Santa Clara, California, is located in Santa Clara County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
