Mountain View's Property Maintenance: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles property maintenance a little differently. In Mountain View, California, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Snow & Sidewalk Clearing

Mountain View does not receive measurable snow, so there is no snow-clearing ordinance. Property owners must still keep sidewalks free of obstructions, debris, and overgrown vegetation year-round.

Key details: Snow ordinance: None - no measurable snow. Sidewalk liability: Streets and Highways Code 5610. Minimum pedestrian width: 4 feet clear. Branch clearance: 8 feet over walk, 14 feet over street. Trip hazards: Owner must repair.

Property Blight

Mountain View abates buildings that endanger life, health or safety under its Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, adopted at City Code Sec. 8.98.10. The building official issues a notice and order by certified mail, and an owner who misses the appeal deadline under Sec. 8.100.35 waives the right to a hearing and must comply with the repair, vacate or demolition order.

Key details: Code adopted: 1997 Uniform Code for Abatement of Dangerous Buildings. Governing section: City Code Sec. 8.98.10, Art. XIII. Enforcing officials: Building official, fire marshal, health officer. Notice method: Personal service or certified mail, Sec. 8.100.50. Missed appeal: Waives hearing rights under Sec. 8.100.60.

Ignoring a dangerous building notice and order, or missing the appeal window, waives the right to a hearing under Sec. 8.100.60 and leaves the order in effect. The city can then proceed with repair, vacation or demolition and recover its costs and any administrative penalty fees through the Repair and Demolition Fund and the city's master fee schedule under Sec. 8.100.40.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Mountain View actively enforces its property blight requirements.

The Bottom Line

Mountain View's property maintenance rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Mountain View is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Mountain View's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.