Mountain View vs Santa Clara
How do architectural review rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Santa Clara, CA?
Mountain View and Santa Clara have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
HOA architectural review committees in Mountain View must follow Davis-Stirling rules requiring fair, written standards and procedures, and cannot prohibit solar, EV charging, or low-water landscaping.
View full Mountain View rules →Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara HOA architectural committees must follow California Civil Code 4765 fair procedures and honor state protections like Civil Code 714 (solar) and 4735 (low-water landscaping) when reviewing modifications.
View full Santa Clara rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Law | Civil Code 4765 | - |
| Written standards | Required | - |
| Solar protections | Civil Code 714 | - |
| EV charging | Civil Code 4745 | Civil Code 4745 |
| Low-water landscaping | Civil Code 4735 | - |
| Procedure | - | Civil Code 4765 |
| Solar | - | Civil Code 714 protects |
| Landscaping | - | Civil Code 4735 protects |
| Written denial | - | With reasons required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Can my HOA deny solar panels in Mountain View?
No. Civil Code 714 protects solar installations. The HOA can impose reasonable, cost-neutral restrictions but cannot effectively prohibit.
Can the HOA force me to keep a green lawn?
No. Civil Code 4735 protects drought-tolerant and low-water landscaping.
Santa Clara FAQ
Can my HOA deny solar panels?
California Civil Code 714 prohibits HOAs from unreasonably restricting solar energy systems, though they may impose reasonable design rules.
Can my HOA ban drought-tolerant landscaping?
No. Civil Code 4735 prohibits HOAs from banning low-water landscaping and artificial turf that meet reasonable aesthetic standards.
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