What should Mountain View hosts know about unhosted rentals (where the operator?

Unhosted rentals (where the operator is not on-site) are strictly capped at 60 days per calendar year.

What should Mountain View hosts know about events like weddings, corporate functions?

Events like weddings, corporate functions, and large parties are strictly prohibited.

What are the key requirements for Mountain View hosts?

Hosts must provide an emergency contact capable of responding within 60 minutes.

What should Mountain View hosts know about accessory dwelling units (adus) are?

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are only considered 'hosted' if the operator lives in the primary dwelling on the same property.

Mountain View

Prohibited

STRs Allowed

CaliforniaLast updated: February 10, 2026

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Summary

Short-term rentals (STRs) are permitted in Mountain View for residential units, requiring a city business license and STR registration with an annual 60-day limit for unhosted stays.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 96 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Strict night cap: 60 nights/year
•Standard permit fee: $165
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

To host an STR in Mountain View, you must obtain a city business license and register with the city's STR portal. If you live on-site during the stay (hosted), there is no limit on rental days; however, if you are not present (unhosted), you are capped at 60 days per year. You must also collect and pay a 10% tax on all bookings and provide neighbors with a local contact who can respond to issues within one hour.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

60/year

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$165

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Unhosted rentals (where the operator is not on-site) are strictly capped at 60 days per calendar year.
2.Events like weddings, corporate functions, and large parties are strictly prohibited.
3.Hosts must provide an emergency contact capable of responding within 60 minutes.
4.Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are only considered 'hosted' if the operator lives in the primary dwelling on the same property.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•Mountain View prohibits STRs in the following zones: Non-residential zones, Affordable housing units.
•Mountain View prohibits STRs in the following property types: RV, Commercial buildings.
•Mountain View allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Multi-family, ADU.

Requirements(7)

•Mountain View requires STR registration. Apply at: https://www.mountainview.gov/our-city/departments/finance/short-term-rental-str-housing Renewal: annual. Reporting is required.
•Mountain View STR warning: Events like weddings, corporate functions, and large parties are strictly prohibited.

Application Process(7)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Mountain View: Step 1: Complete Business License and Tax Forms - Obtain and complete the Business License Application (NAICS 531110), Transient Occupancy Tax Registration form, and the Self-certification Affidavit for Short-Term Rentals. Documents needed: Business License Application, TOT Registration, Self-Certification Affidavit. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.mountainview.gov/our-city/departments/finance/short-term-rental-str-housing Step 2: Submit Forms to Finance Department - Submit all three completed forms via email to BusinessLicense@mountainview.gov, by mail, or in person at City Hall. Documents needed: Completed application forms. Estimated time: 10 business days. More info: mailto:BusinessLicense@mountainview.gov Step 3: Obtain Business License Number - Wait for the Finance Department to review the application and issue a business license number or exemption letter. Documents needed: Approved forms. Estimated time: 10 business days. More info: https://www.mountainview.gov/our-city/departments/finance/business-licenses Step 4: Register on the STR Portal - Using your business license number, complete the online STR registration and pay the annual registration fee. Documents needed: Business license certificate, Proof of primary residence. Estimated time: 1-2 days. Cost: $165. More info: https://mountainview.str.hostcompliance.com/ Step 5: Quarterly Tax Reporting - Submit a Transient Occupancy Tax return every quarter even if no rent was collected. Documents needed: TOT Return form. Estimated time: Quarterly. More info: https://www.mountainview.gov/our-city/departments/finance/transient-occupancy-tax-tot

Fees & Costs(1)

•Mountain View charges a registration fee of $165 (annual).

Taxes(1)

•Mountain View charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.1%.

Limits & Restrictions(3)

•Mountain View has a citywide cap of 60 STR permits.
•Mountain View limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests.
•Mountain View limits STRs to 60 nights per year.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Mountain View requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted emergency contact, parking, trash plan, noise restrictions (Host must respond to neighbor complaints within 60 minutes; No special events (weddings, parties) allowed.).

Penalties(1)

•Mountain View enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First violation: 10% tax penalty. Subsequent violations: Interest of 0.5% per month on delinquent taxes.

Exemptions(1)

•Mountain View exempts the following from STR regulations: hotels and motels, long-term stays (30+ days), Stays over 30 consecutive days are exempt from TOT.

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other California Markets

Los Angeles

California

Strict

The City of Los Angeles requires all short-term rental hosts to register for a Home-Sharing permit and only permits the rental of one's primary residence. Stays are capped at 120 days per year unless an Extended Home-Sharing permit is obtained, and rentals in RSO-regulated buildings or newer ADUs are strictly prohibited.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Anaheim

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Prohibited

Short-term rentals in Anaheim are strictly limited to approximately 277 'pre-moratorium' operators who were grandfathered in 2019. The city currently prohibits the issuance of any new STR permits. Allowed operators must follow rigid 'Good Neighbor' policies, enforce a 3-night minimum stay, and pay a 15% Transient Occupancy Tax.

Permit required

15.0% total tax

Mammoth Lakes

California

Moderate

Short-term rentals are heavily regulated in Mammoth Lakes and generally restricted to multi-family and resort zones (RMF-2, Resort, etc.). Hosts must obtain an STR Certificate and a Business Tax Certificate, and pay a total TOT rate of 13%. Stays of 31 days or longer are exempt from these regulations.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Big Bear Lake

California

Strict

The City of Big Bear Lake regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 5.44, requiring an annual license, rigorous safety inspections, and a strict guest limit of 2 per bedroom plus 2. Owners are limited to 2 licenses total and must remit a 9% combined TOT and TBID tax quarterly.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Mountain View

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(7)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(1)

Limits & Restrictions(3)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(1)

Exemptions(1)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Mountain View

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Mountain View?

2What is the short-term rental tax in Mountain View?

3Is there a limit on rental days in Mountain View?

4What are the local contact requirements for Mountain View STRs?

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