Rent Control in Mountain View

Last updated: January 2026

Local rent control plus California's AB 1482 tenant protections.

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1. Overview of Rent Control in Mountain View

The City of Mountain View has the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act (CSFRA), which provides rent stabilization and eviction protections for certain rental units. The ordinance was adopted to help stabilize rents and protect tenants from excessive rent increases and arbitrary evictions.

Important Note: The CSFRA provides more comprehensive protections than California's statewide rent control law (AB 1482). Therefore, AB 1482 does not apply to units covered by the CSFRA. Units that are exempt from the CSFRA may still be protected under AB 1482.

This article is a high‑level guide based on public resources such as the City of Mountain View Rent Stabilization and the Mountain View Municipal Code. It is not legal advice.

2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in Mountain View?

Mountain View's CSFRA has different levels of coverage depending on when the building was constructed and how many units it contains.

Fully Covered Units: Multi-family rental properties with three or more units built before February 1, 1995 are subject to both rent stabilization and eviction protections.

Partially Covered Units: Multi-family rental properties with three or more units built between February 1, 1995, and December 23, 2016 are subject only to eviction protections (not rent stabilization). These units do not have limits on rent increases, but landlords must still have just cause to evict tenants.

Exemptions:

• Single-family homes – Single-family homes are exempt from the CSFRA, though they may still be protected under California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482).
• Condominiums – Condominiums are exempt from the CSFRA, though they may still be protected under AB 1482.
• Newer construction – Units built after December 23, 2016 are exempt from the CSFRA, though they may still be protected under AB 1482.
• Buildings with fewer than three units – Buildings with one or two units are exempt from the CSFRA, though they may still be protected under AB 1482.

Note: Since we only have year-level data, properties built in 1995 may be fully covered if built before February 1, 1995, but we cannot determine this without month-level information. Properties built between 1995 and 2016 may have eviction protections only, but we cannot determine this automatically.

Tools like RentCheckMe can help you check whether your building is likely covered based on its construction year and property type. To determine if a specific property is covered, you can also use the city's property search tool by entering the address on the Mountain View Rent Stabilization webpage.

3. Maximum Allowable Rent Increases

For fully covered units (three or more units built before February 1, 1995), annual rent increases are limited to a percentage of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose area.

Rent Increase Formula: The allowable increase is calculated as 60% of the CPI, with a minimum increase of 0% and a maximum cap of 3%.

How it works:

• If 60% of the CPI is less than 0%, no rent increase is permitted.
• If 60% of the CPI is between 0% and 3%, that percentage is the maximum allowable increase.
• If 60% of the CPI exceeds 3%, the maximum allowable increase is capped at 3%.

Partially Covered Units: Units built between February 1, 1995, and December 23, 2016 (with three or more units) are not subject to rent stabilization and do not have limits on rent increases. However, they are still protected by just-cause eviction requirements.

For the most current rent increase information, contact the Rent Stabilization Division or check the city's website.

4. Just Cause Eviction Protections

The CSFRA outlines specific "just cause" reasons for eviction that apply to both fully covered and partially covered units. Landlords must have a valid reason to evict a tenant and must provide written notice specifying the cause when initiating an eviction.

Just Cause Reasons Include:

• Nonpayment of rent – Tenant fails to pay rent when due.
• Breach of lease terms – Tenant violates terms of the lease or rental agreement.
• Nuisance behavior – Tenant engages in behavior that substantially interferes with the comfort, safety, or enjoyment of other tenants or neighbors.
• Owner move-in – Landlord or qualified relative wants to move into the unit.
• Withdrawal of the unit from the rental market – Landlord wants to remove the unit from rental use (subject to specific requirements and restrictions).
• Other reasons specified in the ordinance.

Landlords must provide written notice specifying the cause for eviction and follow the proper procedures outlined in the CSFRA.

5. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources

By combining our automated check with trusted resources like the City of Mountain View Rent Stabilization and the Mountain View Municipal Code, you can get both a quick snapshot and deeper, individualized help for your situation.

After you run an address through RentCheckMe, consider:

• Contacting the Rent Stabilization Division for information about the ordinance and compliance (phone: 650-903-6136, email: mvrent@mountainview.gov)
• Attending virtual office hours every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Using the city's property search tool to determine if a specific property is covered
• Consulting with a qualified attorney or tenant counseling organization
• Reviewing the Mountain View Municipal Code for detailed ordinance information

6. Resources for Mountain View Tenants

• California Department of Consumer Affairs – Statewide tenant rights information
• Housing Rights Center – Education and advocacy for tenants throughout California

7. Important Disclaimer

This article is intended as a readable, high‑level overview of rent control in Mountain View, drawn from public resources like the City of Mountain View Rent Stabilization and the Mountain View Municipal Code. It does not cover every exception or nuance and does not constitute legal advice.

Laws change, and how they apply can depend on the specific facts of your tenancy, including the exact construction date of your building, the number of units, and other factors. Note that units built between 1995 and 2016 may have eviction protections only (not rent stabilization), but we cannot determine this automatically without month-level construction data.

For binding guidance about your rights or obligations, speak with the Rent Stabilization Division (phone: 650-903-6136, email: mvrent@mountainview.gov), a qualified attorney, or a tenant‑counseling organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Cities in California

Learn about rent control in other cities in California:

• Rent Control in Alameda
• Rent Control in Antioch
• Rent Control in Berkeley
• Rent Control in Concord
• Rent Control in East Palo Alto
• Rent Control in Half Moon Bay
• Rent Control in Los Angeles
• Rent Control in Baldwin Park
• View all California rent control guides