Download the STR FACT SHEET AND CHECKLIST
1. Complete the following three forms for a business license:
A. Business License Application Form
B. Transient Occupancy Tax Registration C. Self-certification Affidavit Form for Short-Term Rentals
2. Submit forms to the City in any of the three ways:
By mail, to Attn: Business License
City of Mountain View, Finance & Admin Services Department
PO Box 7540
Mountain View, CA 94039
By email to BusinessLicense@mountainview.gov
3. Wait for the City to process your business license application. The Finance Department will review your application and contact you if additional information is needed. Once approved, the Finance Department will either request payment before issuing your business license certificate or provide you with an exemption letter.
4. Submit an online STR application via the STR Registration Portal. (You will need to upload copies of your business license certificate or exemption letter and of your Self-Certification Affidavit Form for Short-Term Rentals. You will also be directed to pay the applicable registration fee.)
5. ONGOING EACH QUARTER: Complete a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Return and mail it with your payment to:
Attn: Business License
City of Mountain View, Finance & Admin Services Department
PO Box 7540
Mountain View, CA 94039
Or, if no payment is owed for the quarter, you may also email your completed TOT Return to
BusinessLicense@mountainview.gov.
TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX (TOT) NOTE: In order to offset the impacts visitors have on City resources and infrastructure during their stay, the City imposes a 10 percent tax on rent charged for a short-term rental or hotel stay, in accordance with Chapter 33 of the Mountain View City Code. Some hosting platforms collect this tax during booking, but all operators are still responsible for submitting quarterly tax returns. See the TOT information page for tax return forms, quarterly periods and due dates, late payment penalties, and exemption information.
STR Registration Fees and fines
The schedule of short-term rental fees and fines are available here.
What is a Short-Term Rental (STR)?
An STR is any room or accessory dwelling unit on a residential property that is offered for rental stays of 30 or fewer consecutive calendar days.
Why does Mountain View regulate STRs?
Regulation is intended to preserve local housing stock and the residential character of neighborhoods. It also enables the City to apply a Transient Occupancy Tax, equivalent to the rate applied for hotel stays.
Are STRs subject to the Community Stabilization Fair Rent Act (CSFRA)?
By definition, STRs are rentals of 30 or fewer days. Such rentals are not subject to CSFRA.
Operated by Host Compliance, the following hotline is intended to offer neighbors a simple, anonymous alternative to calling law enforcement to report non-emergency issues like noise or parking problems caused by short-term rental guests.
The hotline phone number is 530-448-8003. Complaints may also be submitted online here.
What if I would like to take down my STR listing?
Please see the following guides for assistance:
For more information or for registration assistance, please email ShortTermRentals@mountainview.gov.