Rent Control: Mountain View vs San Jose
How do rent control 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
The Mountain View CSFRA caps rent increases on pre-1995 multi-family units at CPI (2-5 percent). Just-cause eviction and relocation assistance apply. AB 1482 covers newer units.
View full Mountain View rules →San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
San Jose's Apartment Rent Ordinance (ARO) under SJMC Chapter 17.23 is one of California's strongest local rent control laws. The ARO covers rental units in buildings with 3+ units that received a certificate of occupancy before September 7, 1979. Annual rent increases are capped at 5% of the current rent. Landlords must petition the Rent Stabilization Program for increases exceeding the annual allowable amount. The City also enforces the statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) for units not covered by the local ordinance.
View full San Jose rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Covered units | Multi-family pre-Feb 1995 | - |
| Annual cap | CPI, 2-5 percent range | - |
| Just cause | 11 enumerated reasons | - |
| Relocation assistance | 3 months plus moving | - |
| Post-1995 law | AB 1482 applies | - |
| Code Section | - | SJMC Chapter 17.23 |
| Annual Cap | - | 5% maximum annual rent increase |
| Coverage | - | Buildings with 3+ units, CoO before Sept 7, 1979 |
| Banking | - | Unused increases may be banked up to 8% cumulative |
| State Law | - | AB 1482 covers units not under local ARO |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Is my apartment covered by Mountain View rent control?
Multi-family units (2 or more) with a certificate of occupancy before February 1, 1995 fall under CSFRA. Newer buildings and single-family rentals typically fall under AB 1482 instead.
How much can my landlord raise rent this year?
CSFRA units see CPI-based increases between 2 and 5 percent annually. AB 1482 units can rise by CPI plus 5 percent, capped at 10 percent. The RHC publishes the current CSFRA figure each September.
San Jose FAQ
Is my apartment covered by San Jose rent control?
Your unit is covered if it is in a building with 3 or more units that received a certificate of occupancy before September 7, 1979. Single-family homes, condos, and newer buildings are exempt from the local ARO but may be covered by state AB 1482.
What is the maximum rent increase allowed?
Under the San Jose ARO, landlords may increase rent by up to 5% annually. Under state AB 1482, the cap is 5% plus the local CPI change, up to a maximum of 10%.
Compare other topics
See how Mountain View and San Jose compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool