Mountain View Municipal Code § 36.06 Zoning district regulations—General

a. Purpose. Sec. 36.10.05 (Residential Districts), 36.18.05 (Commercial Districts), 36.20.05 (Industrial Districts), 36.22, 36.24, 36.24.35, 36.26, and 36.26.35 (Special Purpose Zones), determine which land uses are allowed in each zoning district, what zoning permit is required to establish each use and the basic development standards that apply to allowed land uses in each of the zoning districts established by Sec. 36.04 (Zoning Districts Established).

b. Conflicts between provisions. In the event of any conflict between the following zoning district regulations and other requirements of this chapter, the regulations more specific to the type of use or structure shall control.

c. Single parcel in two zoning districts. In the event two (2) or more parcels under different zone districts are proposed to be consolidated through the approval of a lot line adjustment, parcel or tentative map in compliance with Chapter 28 of the City Code (Subdivisions), resulting in a single parcel covered by two (2) or more zoning districts, an application to rezone the resulting parcel to a single zoning district shall be made prior to completion of the lot line adjustment, parcel or tentative map. In the event that the consolidated single-zoned parcel would not result in greater neighborhood compatibility and a superior site layout, the decision-making body may allow a single parcel covered by two (2) or more zoning districts.

d. Measurements, calculations. Explanations of how height limits, site coverage requirements and floor area ratios (FAR) apply to sites and projects are in the Zoning Calculations: Methods, Definitions and Clarifications handout, in the community development department.

e. Compliance with this chapter. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no building or part thereof or other structure shall be erected, altered, added to or enlarged, nor shall any land, building, structure or premises be used, designated or intended to be used for any purpose, or in any manner other than is included among the uses hereinafter listed as permitted in the district in which such building, land or premises are located; and no building or part thereof or structure shall be erected, nor shall any existing building be altered, enlarged or rebuilt or moved into any district, except in conformity to the development regulations hereinafter designated for the district in which such building is located.

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13.)

Disaster storage container accessory structures shall conform to this chapter and City Code Sec. 25.5 and shall obtain all proper permits for installation.

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13.)

Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the strengthening or restoring to a safe condition of any part of any building or structure declared unsafe by proper authority, except as limited in Sec. 36.06.60.

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13.)

Nothing herein contained shall require any change in the overall layout, plans, construction, size or designated use of any development, building, structure, or part thereof, for which official approvals and required building permits have been granted before the enactment of this chapter, and the construction of which, conforming with such plans, shall have been started prior to the effective date of this chapter and completion thereof carried on in a normal manner within the subsequent six (6) month period and not discontinued until completion, except for reasons beyond the builder's control.

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13.)

Following the initiation of a rezoning, precise plan, adoption or amendment, or a zoning amendment by the environmental planning commission or the city council or a property owner and prior to its adoption by the city council, no building permit or zoning permit or any other land use entitlement, except as specifically exempted herein, shall be issued for construction or use on said property unless the proposed construction and use shall conform to both the existing zoning regulations and the proposed zoning regulations for said property.

a. Zoning Actions. For purposes of this section, the following proposed or pending zoning actions shall be subject to this section:

1. Adoption of or amendments to a precise plan, area plan, or any other specific plan; or

2. Reclassification of property from one zoning district to another ("rezoning"); or

3. Amendment(s) to regulations or design criteria within a zoning district, or to general and special provisions, exceptions and interpretations as set forth in this chapter.

b. Exceptions. The following activities shall be excepted from the restrictions of this section, provided that such activities shall remain subject to the usual application process, and the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the chief building official or zoning administrator, as appropriate, that the requested changes are minor and incidental and will not materially affect the purposes or intent of the zoning action:

1. Minor interior or exterior modifications for existing uses with no change in the entity exercising the use; or

2. Minor modifications and/or improvements to landscaping; or

3. Minor changes in existing signs, including changes to the face of an existing sign.

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13.)

Any lot which conformed to law at the time of its creation, and any lot legally created prior to annexation to the city may be used as a building site even when said lot or parcel is of less area or width than required by the regulations for the district within which it is located which are applicable at the time of its development; provided, however, that all other regulations of such district shall apply to such lots or parcel.

(Ord. No. 18.13, § 1, 12/10/13.)

Short-term rentals shall conform to City Code Chapter 44, including all application, registration, licensing and operational requirements.

(Ord. No. 20.19, § 2, 12/10/19.)

Projects proposing any action that would either permit or result in the development or construction of a land use considered to be conditionally compatible with aircraft noise of CNEL 65 dB or greater, as mapped in the Moffett Federal Airfield Comprehensive Land Use Plan ("CLUP"), shall include the grant of an avigation easement to the U.S. Government and the County of Santa Clara prior to issuance of a building permit(s) for any proposed buildings or structures, consistent with the CLUP.

(Ord. No. 2.2026, § 2, 1/27/26.)