Anti-Mansionization: Mountain View vs San Jose
How do anti-mansionization rules compare between Mountain View, CA and San Jose, CA?
Mountain View and San Jose have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County has no countywide mansionization ordinance, but Title C zoning sets floor area ratio caps, lot coverage limits, and tiered setbacks in residential and rural districts of unincorporated areas, including hillside, scenic, and AP-Agricultural Preserve overlays.
View full Mountain View rules →San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
San Jose's zoning code (SJMC Title 20) controls oversized single-family construction through floor-area ratio, lot coverage, height, and daylight-plane setback rules tied to each base zone (R-1, R-2, R-M), preventing out-of-scale homes that overshadow neighbors.
View full San Jose rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Zoning code | SCC Title C residential rules | - |
| R-1 FAR range | 0.40 to 0.45 typical | - |
| Hillside overlay | HS slope-based height limits | - |
| Reviewing agency | County Planning and Development | - |
| Scenic review | Architectural and Site Approval | - |
| Base R-1 FAR | - | 0.45 floor-area ratio |
| Lot coverage | - | 40 percent typical |
| Height limit | - | 30 feet two stories |
| Front setback | - | 20 feet typical |
| Code | - | SJMC Title 20 zoning |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Does Santa Clara County have a Baseline Mansionization Ordinance?
No single BMO exists. The county uses district-specific FAR caps, hillside slope-density rules, and Architectural and Site Approval in scenic corridors instead, with each unincorporated zone applying tailored bulk standards.
How do I find the FAR cap for my parcel?
Use the County Planning Department's online parcel viewer to identify base zoning and overlays. The applicable Title C section then provides FAR, lot coverage, height, and setback figures for that specific district.
San Jose FAQ
Can I build a second story on my R-1 home?
Yes, within the base zone's 30-foot height and FAR limits. Second stories must respect the daylight-plane envelope and the Residential Design Handbook, with stepped-back upper floors away from neighbor windows.
What's a daylight plane?
An imaginary sloped plane rising from the side property line that upper stories cannot poke through. It protects neighbors' light and privacy by forcing tall walls to step back as height increases.
Compare other topics
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