Permit Requirements: Mountain View vs San Jose
How do permit requirements 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
Mountain View requires short-term rental operators to register with the city, obtain a business license, and comply with transient occupancy tax collection and hosting rules.
View full Mountain View rules →San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
San Jose regulates STRs under SJMC §20.80 Part 2.5. Hosts must obtain a business tax certificate. Owner-occupied rentals have unlimited days; non-owner-occupied are capped at 180 days per year.
View full San Jose rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | Required with Finance Dept | - |
| Business license | Required | - |
| TOT rate | 10% of gross rent | - |
| Stay threshold | Under 30 days = short-term | - |
| Safety equipment | Smoke/CO detectors required | - |
| Annual Cap (Unhosted) | - | 180 days |
| Hosted Cap | - | Unlimited |
| Max Occupants | - | 10 guests |
| Code | - | SJMC §20.80 Part 2.5 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Do I need a Mountain View permit to list my home on Airbnb?
Yes. You must register with the city, obtain a business license, and ensure TOT is collected and remitted on all stays under 30 days.
Does Airbnb collect the TOT automatically?
Airbnb may collect TOT in some jurisdictions, but Mountain View operators should confirm status and keep records. The operator is ultimately liable.
San Jose FAQ
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in San Jose?
San Jose regulates STRs under SJMC §20.80 Part 2.5. Hosts must obtain a business tax certificate. Owner-occupied rentals have unlimited days; non-owner-occupied are capped at 180 days per year.
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in San Jose?
Annual Cap (Unhosted): 180 days. Hosted Cap: Unlimited. Max Occupants: 10 guests. Code: SJMC §20.80 Part 2.5.
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