Municipal code
Mountain View Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of Mountain View, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Last updated
- 2026-10-02
- Contents
- 48 chapters · 3,276 sections
- Jurisdiction
- Mountain View
Contents
▸Part I — THE CHARTER
Overview- Article I — Incorporation and Succession
- Article II — Powers of the City
- Article IV — The Elective Officers
- Article V — The Council
- Article VI — City Manager
- Article VII — Officers and Employees
- Article VIII — Retirement System
- Article IX — Appointive Boards and Commissions
- Article X — Personnel System
- Article XI — Fiscal Administration
- Article XII — Franchises
- Article XIII — Elections
- Article XVI — Miscellaneous
- Article XVII — Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act
▸Chapter 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
▸Chapter 2 — ADMINISTRATION
Overview- Article I — IN GENERAL
- Article II — PERSONNEL SYSTEM
▸Article III — FRANCHISES
▸Article IV — POLICE DEPARTMENT
Overview▸Division 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Division 2 — CREATION OF POSITION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER; DUTIES AND AUTHORITY
- Article V — SPECIAL GAS TAX STREET IMPROVEMENT FUND
- Article VI — RESERVED
- Article VII — ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
▸Article VIII — ELECTIONS
- Article IX — CITY DEPARTMENTS
- Article X — AUTHORITY OF ZONING INSPECTORS AND BUILDING INSPECTORS TO MAKE ARRESTS
- Article XI — LEASING OF CITY PROPERTY
▸Article XII — CAMPAIGN FINANCE
- Article XIII — CENTRALIZED PURCHASING SYSTEM
▸Chapter 3 — ADVERTISING
- Chapter 4 — AMBULANCES
▸Chapter 5 — ANIMALS
▸Chapter 6 — AUCTIONS AND SALES
- Chapter 7 — RESERVED
▸Chapter 8 — BUILDINGS
Overview▸Article II — GENERAL REGULATIONS
Overview- Division 1 — SAFETY ASSESSMENT AND PLACARDS
- Division 2 — WOOD-BURNING APPLIANCES
- Division 3 — PERMIT PROCEDURES FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
- Division 4 — PERMIT PROCEDURES FOR SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Division 5 — PERMIT PROCEDURES FOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
- Division 6 — MOVING BUILDINGS
- Division 7 — LIGHTING STANDARDS
▸Article III — CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
▸Article VII — MECHANICAL CODE
▸Article IX — ENERGY CODE
▸Article XII — GREEN BUILDING CODE
Overview▸Division 4 — PHASED PROJECTS - TENANT IMPROVEMENTS
▸Division 16 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING FOR SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS, DUPLEXES
▸Division 17 — SPACE CONDITIONING REQUIREMENTS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS, DUPLEXES
▸Division 18 — BIRD-SAFE GLASS REQUIREMENTS (APPENDIX A5)
▸Chapter 9 — CARDROOMS, MASSAGE PARLORS AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES
- Chapter 10 — CIGARETTE TAX
▸Chapter 11 — CIVIL DEFENSE AND DISASTER
- Chapter 13 — FORTUNE TELLING
▸Chapter 14 — FIRE PREVENTION
Overview▸Article II — FIRE CODE
Overview▸Division 1 — CODE ADOPTED BY REFERENCE AND TITLE
▸Division 2 — APPLICABILTY AND PROCEDURES
- Division 4 — INDOOR DISPLAYS
▸Division 5 — FIRE APPARATUS ROADS
- Division 6 — ACCESS CONTROL DEVICES
- Division 7 — ADDRESSING
- Division 8 — FIRE HYDRANTS AND STANDPIPES
- Division 9 — IMMERSION HEATERS
- Division 10 — AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS AND OTHER LIFE SAFETY FEATURES
▸Division 12 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND FUME HOOD REQUIREMENTS
▸Division 14 — EXPLOSIVES AND FIREWORKS REGULATIONS
▸Division 15 — FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS AND MOBILE FUELING OPERATIONS
▸Chapter 15 — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS, RESTAURANTS, AND MOBILE VENDORS
Overview▸Article I — RESTAURANTS AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
▸Chapter 16 — GARBAGE, RUBBISH AND WEEDS
Overview- Article I — IN GENERAL
▸Article II — WEED CONTROL
- Article III — CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS DIVERSION
- Article IV — REUSABLE BAGS
- Article V — REGULATION OF NONREUSABLE FOOD SERVICE WARE
▸Article VI — MANDATORY ORGANIC WASTE DISPOSAL REDUCTION
▸Chapter 17 — IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE CODE
Overview▸Article I — IN GENERAL
▸Article II — ACQUISITION AND IMPROVEMENT PROCEDURE
Overview- Division 1 — INVESTIGATION PROCEEDINGS
- Division 2 — IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1911
- Division 3 — STREET OPENING ACT OF 1903
▸Division 4 — MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1913
▸Division 5 — PARKING DISTRICTS
- Division 6 — PROJECT IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE FOR EXISTING DISTRICTS
- Division 7 — MAINTENANCE DISTRICTS
▸Article III — ASSESSMENT BOND PROCEDURE
Overview- Division 1 — GENERALLY
- Division 2 — BOND PLAN A LOT BONDS
- Division 3 — BOND PLAN B DISTRICT BONDS
- Division 4 — BOND PLAN C DISTRICT (LIABILITY) BONDS
▸Division 5 — BOND PLAN D (AD VALOREM LAND BONDS.)
- Division 6 — BOND PLAN E (AD VALOREM REALTY BONDS.)
- Division 7 — BOND PLAN G (ANNUAL BENEFIT ASSESSMENT BONDS.)
▸Article IV — REVITALIZATION AUTHORITY
- Article V — BONDED INDEBTEDNESS
- Article VI — PROCEDURE FOR DEFERRAL OF ASSESSMENTS FOR CERTAIN ELIGIBLE PERSONS AND
▸Chapter 18 — LICENSES
▸Chapter 19 — MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Overview▸Article II — ENFORCEMENT AND OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
- Article III — TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES
▸Article IV — TURNING MOVEMENTS
▸Article V — PEDESTRIANS
- Article VI — BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, MOTORIZED SCOOTERS AND TRANSPORTATION
▸Article VII — TRUCK ROUTES
▸Article VIII — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
Overview▸Division 1 — GENERAL
▸Division 2 — METHOD OF PARKING
▸Division 3 — STOPPING, STANDING OR PARKING PROHIBITED IN SPECIFIED PLACES
- Division 4 — STOPPING FOR LOADING OR UNLOADING ONLY
▸Division 5 — PARKING RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED ON PARTICULAR STREETS
- Division 6 — PARKING METERS
▸Division 7 — SAFE PARKING
- Article IX — VEHICLE PARKING AND STORAGE RESTRICTIONS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS
- Article X — TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT
- Article XI — COST RECOVERY FEES
- Chapter 20 — PRIVATE PATROL SERVICE
▸Chapter 21 — MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES AND SMOKING REGULATIONS
Overview▸Article I — OFFENSES—MISCELLANEOUS
▸Article II — PROHIBITION AND REGULATION OF SMOKING IN CERTAIN PLACES
▸Article III — TOBACCO CONTROL REGULATIONS
- Article IV — ALCOHOL CONTROL REGULATIONS
- Article V — SAFE STORAGE OF FIREARMS IN RESIDENCES AND VEHICLES
▸Chapter 22 — PARADES, SPECIAL EVENTS AND BANNERS
▸Chapter 23 — PAWNBROKERS AND SECONDHAND DEALERS
▸Chapter 24 — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Overview▸Article II — MATERIALS REGULATED
▸Article III — STORAGE, HANDLING AND DISPENSING STANDARDS
▸Article IV — HAZARDOUS MATERIALS BUSINESS PLAN
▸Article V — RESPONSIBILITY
▸Article VI — INSPECTIONS AND RECORDS
▸Article VII — APPLICATIONS AND PERMITS
▸Article VIII — ENFORCEMENT
▸Article IX — MISCELLANEOUS
▸Article X — PERMIT PROCESS
▸Chapter 25 — NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION
Overview▸Article I — NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION
▸Article II — REGULATION OF GRAFFITI
▸Article III — HOTEL, MOTEL AND MULTIPLE-FAMILY HOUSING INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT
- Article IV — IMPOUNDMENT AND DISPOSAL OF ABANDONED SHOPPING CARTS
- Article V — CODE COMPLIANCE INSPECTION PERMIT
▸Article VI — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
▸Chapter 26 — PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS
Overview- Article I — MECHANICAL AMUSEMENT DEVICES
▸Article II — POOLROOMS AND BILLIARD ROOMS
▸Article III — DANCES
- Article IV — PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT
- Article V — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS
- Article VI — NEWSRACKS
▸Chapter 28 — SUBDIVISIONS
Overview▸Article I — GENERAL SUBDIVISION PROVISIONS
▸Article II — ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANNING FINDINGS
▸Article III — PRELIMINARY PARCEL MAPS, URBAN LOT SPLITS AND TENTATIVE MAPS
Overview- Division 1 — PRELIMINARY PARCEL MAPS
▸Division 2 — URBAN LOT SPLITS
▸Division 3 — TENTATIVE MAPS
▸Article IV — PARCEL MAPS AND FINAL MAPS
Overview▸Division 1 — PARCEL MAPS
▸Division 2 — FINAL MAPS
▸Article V — DESIGN STANDARDS
Overview▸Division 1 — GENERAL
▸Division 2 — UTILITIES
▸Division 3 — SOILS TESTS
▸Article VI — CONDOMINIUMS, COMMUNITY APARTMENT PROJECTS AND COMMON GREEN
▸Article VII — RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS
▸Article VIII — COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS
▸Article IX — CONVERSION LIMITATION ACT
▸Article X — MOBILE HOME PARK CONVERSION OR CESSATION OF USE
▸Article XI — MERGER OF SUBSTANDARD SIZE PARCELS
▸Article XII — VESTING TENTATIVE AND PRELIMINARY PARCEL MAPS
- Article XIII — LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS
▸Article XIV — SUBDIVISION MAP EXTENSIONS
Overview- 28.7 Short title 28.1.30 Short title
- 28.9 Filing 28.3 Filing
- 28.68 Map filing and form; project plan required 28.11.05 Map filing and form; project plan re…
- 28.69 Design standards for new condominiums, 28.11.15 Design standards for new condominiums,
- 28.103 Conversion impact report related to 28.15.15 Conversion impact report related to
▸Chapter 29 — TAXATION
Overview- Article I — IN GENERAL
▸Article II — SALES AND USE TAXES
▸Article III — UTILITY USERS TAX
- Article IV — CONSTRUCTION TAX
- Article V — REAL PROPERTY CONVEYANCE TAX
- Chapter 31 — TRAILERS AND TRAILER PARKS
▸Chapter 32 — TREES, SHRUBS AND PLANTS
- Chapter 33 — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
- Chapter 34 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICTS
▸Chapter 35 — WATER, SEWAGE AND OTHER MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Overview▸Article II — PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO WATER SUPPLY
▸Article III — PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO SEWER SERVICE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Overview▸Division 1 — GENERALLY
▸Division 2 — SEWER AUTHORITY AND STORM DRAIN DISCHARGE PROHIBITIONS
▸Division 3 — POLLUTED WATERS, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTES, AND POLLUTION
▸Division 4 — STORMWATER TREATMENT AT NEW AND REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
▸Division 5 — SERVICE CHARGES
- Article IV — CONNECTIONS AND CONNECTION CHARGES; CAPACITY-BASED CHARGES
▸Article V — RECYCLED WATER FOR IRRIGATION
▸Chapter 36 — ZONING
Overview▸Article I — SHORT TITLE AND PURPOSE
▸Article II — ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICTS AND ZONING MAPS
▸Article III — GENERAL REGULATIONS, SPECIAL PROVISIONS, EXCEPTIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
▸Article IV — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
Overview- Division 1 — PURPOSE
- Division 2 — LAND USES
- Division 3 — SINGLE-FAMILY (R1) ZONING DISTRICT STANDARDS
- Division 4 — ONE AND TWO-FAMILY (R2) ZONING DISTRICT STANDARDS
- Division 5 — MULTIPLE-FAMILY (R3) ZONING DISTRICT STANDARDS
▸Division 6 — HIGH-DENSITY (R4) ZONING DISTRICT STANDARDS
- Division 7 — MOBILE HOME (RMH) ZONING DISTRICT STANDARDS
- Division 8 — MOBILE HOMES AND MANUFACTURED HOMES
- Division 9 — RESIDENTIAL ACCESSORY USES AND STRUCTURES
- Division 10 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
▸Division 11 — DUAL URBAN OPPORTUNITY HOUSING
- Division 12 — SETBACK AND FLOOR AREA RATIO EXCEPTIONS
▸Division 13 — SMALL-LOT, SINGLE-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
- Division 14 — TOWNHOUSE DEVELOPMENT
- Division 15 — ROWHOUSE DEVELOPMENT
▸Article V — COMMERCIAL ZONES
Overview- Division 1 — PURPOSE
- Division 2 — LAND USES
- Division 3 — COMMERCIAL ZONE GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
- Division 4 — COMMERCIAL-NEIGHBORHOOD (CN) ZONING DISTRICT STANDARDS
- Division 5 — COMMERCIAL-OFFICE (CO) ZONING DISTRICT STANDARDS
- Division 6 — COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL-ARTERIAL (CRA) ZONING DISTRICT STANDARDS
- Division 7 — COMMERCIAL-SERVICES (CS) ZONING DISTRICT STANDARDS
▸Article VI — INDUSTRIAL ZONES
▸Article VII — PLANNED COMMUNITY (P) DISTRICTS
▸Article VIII — OTHER ZONES AND OVERLAY DISTRICTS
Overview▸Division 1 — AGRICULTURE (A) ZONING DISTRICT STANDARDS
- Division 2 — PUBLIC FACILITY (PF) ZONING DISTRICT STANDARDS
▸Division 3 — FLOOD PLAIN (F) ZONING DISTRICT STANDARDS
- Division 4 — INTERIM (U) ZONING DISTRICT STANDARDS
- Division 5 — OVERLAY ZONES
▸Article IX — STANDARDS FOR SPECIFIC LAND USES
Overview- Division 1 — GENERAL
- Division 2 — ACCESSORY RETAIL USES
- Division 3 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS
- Division 4 — CEMETERIES, COLUMBARIUMS, MORTUARIES
- Division 5 — CHILD-CARE FACILITIES
- Division 6 — DISH ANTENNAS GREATER THAN ONE (1) METER
- Division 7 — DRIVE-IN AND DRIVE-THROUGH FACILITIES
- Division 8 — EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND HIGHLY SENSITIVE USES
- Division 9 — EFFICIENCY STUDIOS
- Division 10 — EMERGENCY SHELTERS AND LOW-BARRIER NAVIGATION CENTERS
- Division 11 — HOME OCCUPATIONS, COTTAGE FOOD OPERATIONS, AND MICROENTERPRISE HOME
- Division 12 — OUTDOOR RETAIL SALES
▸Division 13 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
- Division 14 — SERVICE STATIONS—RETAIL SALES
- Division 15 — SIGNIFICANT TOBACCO RETAILERS
- Division 16 — AUTO/MOTOR VEHICLE SALES, REPAIR, AND TOW YARD OPERATIONS
- Division 17 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR TOBACCO SALES
- Division 18 — ANIMAL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS
- Division 19 — WAREHOUSE RETAIL STORES
- Division 20 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR ALCOHOL SALES
- Division 21 — CANNABIS
- Division 22 — SAFE PARKING
- Division 23 — GENERAL PLAN MIXED-USE VILLAGE CENTER DEVELOPMENTS
- Division 24 — HYDROGEN FUELING STATIONS
▸Article X — PARKING AND LOADING
Overview▸Division 1 — PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY
- Division 2 — GENERAL PARKING REGULATIONS
- Division 3 — NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES REQUIRED
- Division 4 — REDUCTION OF OFF-STREET PARKING
- Division 5 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR OFF-STREET LOADING AND PARKING
- Division 6 — BICYCLE PARKING STANDARDS
- Division 7 — NONCONFORMING PARKING AREAS
▸Article XI — LANDSCAPING
▸Article XII — SIGNS
Overview▸Division 1 — PURPOSE, APPLICABILITY AND REQUIREMENTS
- Division 2 — EXEMPT SIGNS
- Division 3 — PROHIBITED SIGNS
- Division 4 — GENERAL SIGN REGULATIONS
- Division 5 — SIGNS ALLOWED IN MULTIPLE ZONING DISTRICTS
- Division 6 — SIGNS ALLOWED BY ZONING DISTRICT
- Division 7 — SIGN REGULATIONS FOR THE DOWNTOWN PRECISE PLAN
- Article XIII — RESERVED
▸Article XVI — ZONING ORDINANCE ADMINISTRATION
Overview▸Division 1 — AUTHORITY FOR LAND USE AND ZONING DECISIONS
- Division 2 — DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCESS
▸Division 3 — TEMPORARY USE PERMITS
- Division 4 — VARIANCES
- Division 5 — PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
▸Division 6 — CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
- Division 7 — MOBILE HOME PARK PERMIT
- Division 8 — DENSITY BONUS
▸Division 9 — SPECIAL DESIGN PERMIT
- Division 10 — PLANNED COMMUNITY PERMITS
- Division 11 — PRECISE PLANS
▸Division 12 — GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS
- Division 13 — ZONING AMENDMENTS
▸Division 14 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
- Division 15 — DESIGNATION AND PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC RESOURCES
▸Division 16 — APPLICATIONS, HEARINGS AND APPEALS
- Division 17 — TIME LIMITS, EXTENSIONS AND REVOCATIONS
▸Division 18 — URGENCY INTERIM ORDINANCES
- Division 19 — PROCEDURES FOR INTERPRETATION
- Division 20 — ENFORCEMENT OF PROVISIONS
▸Article XVII — DEFINITIONS
Overview- Division 1 — PURPOSE
▸Division 2 — DEFINITIONS
Overview- § 36.2
- § 36.5
- § 36.23
- 36.27 - Setback Provisions rescinded
- § 36.31
- 36.40 - Interpretations and Exceptions 36.08.25 - Interpretations and Exceptions
- 36.14 - CN district purpose 36.14.010A - CN District Purpose
- 36.16 - CG District Purpose 36.14.010B - CS District Purpose
- 36.17 - O District Purpose 36.14.010C - CO District Purpose
- 36.39 - Provisions applying to special uses 36.42.010B - Specific Land Uses—Applicability
- Chapter 37 — VIDEO SERVICES CODE
▸Chapter 38 — REGULATING THE USE OF CITY PARKS AND OTHER CITY FACILITIES
- Chapter 39 — VEHICLES ABANDONED, WRECKED, DISMANTLED OR INOPERATIVE
- Chapter 41 — PARK LAND DEDICATION OR FEES IN LIEU THEREOF
- Chapter 43 — CITYWIDE TRANSPORTATION IMPACT FEE
- Chapter 44 — SHORT-TERM RENTAL OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
- Chapter 45 — CANNABIS BUSINESS TAX
▸Chapter 47 — IMPACT FEES IN PRECISE PLAN AREAS
▸Chapter 48 — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
Overview▸Article I — SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATION
Overview▸Division 2 — APPLICABILITY
▸Division 4 — DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATOR
▸Article II — PERMITS FOR FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT
Overview▸Division 1 — PERMIT REQUIREMENT
▸Division 2 — SITE PLANS AND CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
▸Article III — INSPECTIONS
▸Article IV — VARIANCES
▸Article V — VIOLATIONS
▸Article VI — FLOOD-RESISTANT DEVELOPMENT
Overview▸Division 1 — BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURE
▸Division 2 — SUBDIVISIONS
▸Division 3 — SITE IMPROVEMENTS, UTILITIES, AND LIMITATIONS
▸Division 4 — INSTALLATION OF MANUFACTURED HOMES
▸Division 5 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
▸Division 6 — OTHER DEVELOPMENT
▸Division 7 — FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS