Short-Term Rental (STR) Housing

for short term rentals in Mountain View. In addition to setting operating standards for short term rentals, the Short Term Rental Ordinance clarifies that short term rentals are subject to transient occupancy tax (TOT).

Registration

Download the STR FACT SHEET AND CHECKLIST

• Registration - properties being used or advertised as STRs must start to register with the City. A grace period will be given through September 1, 2019 before compliance warnings will be issued.

STEPS TO REGISTER YOUR STR: 

1. Get a business license.
   * Complete  the business license application form AND
   * Complete the Self-certification Affidavit Form for Short-Term Rentals  
2. Complete the Transient Occupancy Tax Registration 
3. Submit all 3 forms to the City.
   

   Bring the forms in to the Community Development Department on the 1st Floor of City Hall (500 Castro St., Mountain View                               
   OR
   Mail all of the completed forms to: City of Mountain View, Finance & Admin Services Department, PO Box 7540 Mountain View, California, 94039             
   OR 
   email them to finance@mountainview.gov.

   NOTE: It may take four-to-five business days for the City to process and return with your new business license number.
4. Once you have your business license number, submit an STR Registration Application online here: STR Registration Portal. You will need to upload copies of your business license and the self-certification affidavit to the STR registration portal. 

NOTE: TOT collection is the responsibility of the STR host/operator and is due quarterly. See TOT information page.

• ONGOING EACH QUARTER: Complete a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Return and mail it with your payment to City of Mountain View, Finance & Admin Services Department, PO Box 7540, Mountain View, California, 94039 or bring them in person to the City Hall Finance and Admin Services on the Second Floor at 500 Castro St., Mountain View.

Current Short-Term Rental Fees

The current City schedule of fees for short-term rentals may be viewed and downloaded here. 

Operations Standards

• No Limit for Hosted Rentals – There shall be no limit on the number of days a property may be used as a hosted short-term rental. Hosted rentals are defined as rentals where the operator is present onsite throughout the rental.
  
  • Accessory Dwelling Unit Rentals – If the operator is present onsite in the primary dwelling on a property throughout the rental, short-term rentals in Accessory Dwelling Units shall be considered hosted rentals.
• 60 Day Annual Limit for Unhosted Rentals - Unhosted rentals, where the operator is not present onsite, properties may only be used a maximum of 60 nights per year.
• No Special Events - weddings, parties, corporate gatherings and other similar events which have the potential to cause traffic, parking, noise, trash or other impacts in the neighborhood are allowed at the short-term rental property during the short-term rental.
• Occupancy Limit - Per the California Building Code, Chapter 3, Section 310.5 – Use and Occupancy Classifications, STRs are considered congregate residences, and must have 10 or fewer occupants.
• Local Contact Requirement - STR operators must provide the City and neighbors in properties adjacent to the short-term rental with the contact information for a local person who can respond to concerns and complaints within 60 minutes.
• Transient Occupancy Tax - similar to hotel guests, STR guests/renters must pay Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), equivalent to 10 percent of the rental cost in accordance with Chapter 33 of the Mountain View City Code (link to relevant City code)
  • TOT collection is the responsibility of the STR host/operator and is due quarterly. See TOT information page.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is a Short-Term Rental (STR)?
  The rental of any room or rooms, or portions thereof, in any residential dwelling unit for residing, sleeping or lodging purposes for thirty (30) or fewer consecutive calendar days.
1. Who can operate an STR?
   Any person who is the owner of record of residential real property, or the lessee of residential real property pursuant to a written agreement for the lease of such real property, who offers that dwelling unit, or portion thereof, for short-term rental either through a hosting platform or individually.
   
   
2. May I use my Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) for STRs?
   Yes. You may use your permitted ADU for STRs.
   If you are present onsite in the other dwelling unit during the rental, the rental is considered hosted.
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. What City approvals are needed to operate an STR?
   1. STR Registration
   2. Business License, Including Self-Certification Affidavit Form
      
      
5. How many guests may stay in my STR?
   Per the California Building Code, Chapter 3, Section 310.5 – Use and Occupancy Classifications, STRs are considered congregate residences, and must have 10 or fewer occupants.