Overview and Direct Answer

Short‑term rentals are allowed in Mountain View, California. The City enacted a Short‑Term Rental (STR) ordinance in December 2018 that establishes operating standards, a registration requirement, and a transient occupancy tax (TOT) framework for all STRs. To operate legally, you must register with the City, obtain a City business license, file TOT returns quarterly, and comply with operational rules including occupancy limits and event prohibitions.

• City STR program overview and registration portal: www.mountainview.gov/our-city/departments/finance-and-administrative-services/billing/short-term-rentals
• Municode Chapter 44 (Short‑Term Rental operating standards): library.municode.com/ca/mountain_view/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCO_CH44SHRMREREPR
• Municode Chapter 33 (Transient Occupancy Tax): library.municode.com/HTML/16508/level2/PTIITHCO_CH33TROCTA.html

This guide is written for real estate investors evaluating or launching STRs in Mountain View. It focuses on city‑specific requirements and key state‑level considerations relevant to California investors.

How to Start an STR Business in Mountain View

The registration and licensing process is straightforward but requires multiple steps and documents. Follow this roadmap:

• Step 1: Submit a Business License Application using NAICS Code 531110 and Mountain View Business Code 6800. Attach the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration and the Self‑Certification Affidavit Form for Short‑Term Rentals.

  • Business License Application: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/6447/638260567925170000
  • TOT Registration: www.mountainview.gov/our-city/departments/finance-and-administrative-services/city-tax-information/transient-occupancy-tax-tot
  • Self‑Certification Affidavit Form: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/7012/638245885663970000

• Step 2: Submit forms to the City (in person, by mail, or by email):

  • In person: Finance and Administrative Services, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 500 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041 (Mon–Fri, 8:00–12:00 and 13:00–17:00)
  • By mail: City of Mountain View, Finance and Administrative Services, Attn: Short‑Term Rentals, P.O. Box 7540, Mountain View, CA 94039‑7540
  • By email: BusinessLicense@mountainview.gov

• Step 3: City review. The Finance Department will review your application and issue either a business license certificate or an exemption letter. A registration fee is paid during the online STR application step.

• Step 4: Online STR registration via the City portal. Upload your business license certificate or exemption letter and the Self‑Certification Affidavit. Pay the annual registration fee.

  • STR Registration Portal: secure.hostcompliance.com/mountain-view-ca/permit-registration

• Step 5: Ongoing compliance. File quarterly TOT returns and remit the tax. See TOT section for schedules and penalties.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Business License Application (NAICS 531110; Business Code 6800)
• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Registration
• Self‑Certification Affidavit Form for Short‑Term Rentals
• Business License Certificate or Exemption Letter (issued after Step 3)
• Annual STR Registration via the City portal (with uploaded documents and fee payment)
• Annual registration fee schedule:
  • 2024 Fee Schedule: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/7356/638697030467400000
  • 2025 Fee Schedule: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/10437/638697027380900000

Use the STR Fact Sheet & Checklist to ensure you complete all steps: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/9288/638538040026970000

Specific Regulations (City of Mountain View)

• Definition and scope: STRs are rooms or accessory dwelling units on a residential property offered for stays of 30 or fewer consecutive calendar days.
• Registration requirement: All properties used or advertised as STRs must register with the City and maintain an active registration.
• Occupancy limit: STRs are considered congregate residences under the California Building Code and must have 10 or fewer occupants.
• Event prohibition: Weddings, parties, corporate gatherings, and other events that could cause traffic, parking, noise, trash, or neighborhood impacts are prohibited at the STR during the short‑term rental.
• Hosted vs. unhosted rentals:
  • Hosted rentals: If the STR operator is present throughout the stay, there is no yearly limit on the number of rentals. Short‑term rentals in Accessory Dwelling Units are considered hosted if the operator is onsite in the primary dwelling.
  • Unhosted rentals: If the operator is not present, the property may be occupied a maximum of 60 days per year. Operators must provide City and adjacent neighbors with local contact information able to respond to concerns within 60 minutes.
• TOT rate: 10% of the rent charged for STR stays (equivalent to hotel stays). Some hosting platforms may collect TOT during booking, but all operators remain responsible for quarterly filing and remittance.
• Related city resources and references:
  • City STR page (overview and links): www.mountainview.gov/our-city/departments/finance-and-administrative-services/billing/short-term-rentals
  • Operating standards (Chapter 44): library.municode.com/ca/mountain_view/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCO_CH44SHRMREREPR
  • TOT (Chapter 33): library.municode.com/HTML/16508/level2/PTIITHCO_CH33TROCTA.html

State‑Level Considerations for CA STR Investors

While Mountain View sets the primary rules for STRs, California investors should evaluate two state‑level dynamics:

• Tax nexus and collection: Major platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com) collect and remit many jurisdictions’ transient taxes. However, state nexus rules and the changing nature of “platform‑as‑intermediary” obligations mean operators must confirm exactly what their platform collects versus what the City requires operators to file. In Mountain View, quarterly TOT returns are mandatory irrespective of platform collection.
• State codes referenced by local ordinances: Mountain View’s occupancy limits refer to the California Building Code’s congregate residence standards. Consider whether any state fire, life safety, or health regulations may affect your STR operations (e.g., smoke/CO detectors, egress, posted rules). No local inspection requirement was identified for initial registration, but investors should confirm any updates with the City.

Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): Rate, Filing, Penalties

• TOT rate: 10% of the rent charged for stays of 30 days or fewer.
• Registration: All STRs must register for TOT and file quarterly returns.
  • TOT Registration: www.mountainview.gov/our-city/departments/finance-and-administrative-services/city-tax-information/transient-occupancy-tax-tot
• Filing periods and due dates:
  • Q1 (Jan 1–Mar 31): Due April 30
  • Q2 (Apr 1–Jun 30): Due July 31
  • Q3 (Jul 1–Sep 30): Due October 31
  • Q4 (Oct 1–Dec 31): Due January 31
• Remittance address:
  • City of Mountain View, Finance and Administrative Services, Attn: Short‑Term Rentals, P.O. Box 7540, Mountain View, CA 94039‑7540
• Penalties and interest:
  • 10% penalty if not paid by due date.
  • Additional 10% penalty if not paid within 30 days of the first delinquency period.
  • Interest at 0.5% per month (or fraction thereof) on any delinquent payment until fully paid.
• Exemptions and forms:
  • Government Representative Exemption Claim Form: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/3610/638254699478530000
  • Extended Occupancy Exemption Claim Form (occupancies longer than 30 days): www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/3608/638254700342770000
• TOT Return Form: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/7052/638260587297370000

Operations Standards and Compliance Practices

• Keep occupancy at 10 or fewer guests at all times.
• Prohibit weddings, parties, and other special events likely to cause neighborhood impacts.
• If you are not present, do not exceed 60 days of total STR occupancy per year. Provide and maintain a local contact who can respond within 60 minutes to City and neighbor inquiries.
• Hosted operations: If you are present throughout the stay, there is no annual cap; confirm that ADU rentals meet “hosted” criteria when you are onsite in the primary dwelling.
• Compliance monitoring: The City uses Host Compliance for STR compliance services, including complaint handling.
• Note on state codes: Mountain View’s 10‑person limit references the California Building Code’s congregate residence classification. Check the latest state building, fire, and health codes to ensure your unit’s life‑safety features meet or exceed minimum standards.

Contact Information

• City of Mountain View – Finance and Administrative Services (STR Registration and Billing):

  • Address: 500 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041
  • Phone: 650‑903‑6300
  • Email: BusinessLicense@mountainview.gov
  • City STR page: www.mountainview.gov/our-city/departments/finance-and-administrative-services/billing/short-term-rentals
  • City general contact portal (Ask MV): clients.comcate.com/newrequest.php?id=128

• Complaint Hotline (operated by Host Compliance):

  • Phone: 650‑282‑1998
  • Online complaints: secure.hostcompliance.com/complaints/type

• STR Program Telephone (City’s STR consultant):

  • Phone: 650‑443‑9056

Source Pages and Key Links

• City of Mountain View – Short‑Term Rentals page: www.mountainview.gov/our-city/departments/finance-and-administrative-services/billing/short-term-rentals
• Municode Chapter 44 – Short‑Term Rental Operating Standards: library.municode.com/ca/mountain_view/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCO_CH44SHRMREREPR
• Municode Chapter 33 – Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT): library.municode.com/HTML/16508/level2/PTIITHCO_CH33TROCTA.html
• STR Registration Portal: secure.hostcompliance.com/mountain-view-ca/permit-registration
• Business License Application: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/6447/638260567925170000
• Self‑Certification Affidavit Form: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/7012/638245885663970000
• TOT Registration: www.mountainview.gov/our-city/departments/finance-and-administrative-services/city-tax-information/transient-occupancy-tax-tot
• TOT Return Form: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/7052/638260587297370000
• Government Representative Exemption Claim Form: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/3610/638254699478530000
• Extended Occupancy Exemption Claim Form: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/3608/638254700342770000
• STR Fact Sheet & Checklist: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/9288/638538040026970000
• 2024 Schedule of STR Fees and Fines: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/7356/638697030467400000
• 2025 Schedule of STR Fees and Fines: www.mountainview.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/10437/638697027380900000
• Host Compliance – Online Complaints: secure.hostcompliance.com/complaints/type
• Airbnb Help Article (Mountain View, CA) – Host Steps Overview: www.airbnb.com/help/article/3742

Notes for investors:

• Verify fee schedules for the current year and any ordinance updates before filing or paying.
• While many platforms collect TOT, you remain responsible for filing accurate quarterly returns and any applicable exemptions.
• If you are an out‑of‑area investor, ensure a responsive local contact meets the 60‑minute response requirement for unhosted operations.