Mountain View · Land use · Apartment building
Where is an apartment building (multifamily housing) allowed in Mountain View?
In Mountain View, an apartment building (multifamily housing) is allowed in 2 base zones (R3 and R4), needs a conditional use permit in 2 (R2 and CRA, 1 with a condition) and not allowed in 5 (Mountain View use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: R3 and R4
- Needs a permit: R2 and CRA
- Not allowed: R1, RMH, CN, CS and CO
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Mountain View Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where an apartment building (multifamily housing) can go
Mountain View's code calls this use “Multiple-family housing development; commercial table: Multiple-family housing development, townhouse development, rowhouse development, supportive housing, 1 transitional housing or mixed-use commercial/housing development”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| R3 | Allowed | § 36.10.05 |
| R4 | Allowed | § 36.10.05 |
| R2 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 36.10.05 |
| CRA Commercial/Residential-Arterial (CRA) | Needs a conditional use permit — see note Note 1: Supportive housing that meets the requirements of Government Code Section 65650 shall be a use by right in zones where multi-family and mixed uses are permitted, in accordance with state law. Supportive housing that does not meet the requirements of Government Code Section 65650 shall apply the permit requirements in the table. | § 36.18.05 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: Article IV Division 4 (R2), Division 5 (R3), Division 6 (R4); 36.18.50 (commercial).
- Rowhouse, townhouse and small-lot single-family developments are PUD in R2, R3, R4. In CN, CS, CO the General plan mixed-use village center row is CUP only where the general plan identifies it. The CRA row is a combined row (multiple-family, townhouse, rowhouse, supportive housing, transitional housing, mixed-use).
- State law: State laws such as AB 2011, SB 6 and the density bonus law can allow homes on some commercial sites, or more units than this table shows.
- Not covered here: Zone names for R1, R2, R3, RMH, R4, CN, CS, CO, CRA, ML, MM are not stated in the packet; Planned Community (P) districts have no table (36.22.10: any use permitted in another district may be permitted after review); A, PF, F, U districts use lists, not tables; only cells that a list names outright are given; Overlay districts and specific plans are not in the packet. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in Mountain View
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R2 zone in Mountain View?
Only with a conditional use permit. Mountain View's use table lists it that way in R2 (§ 36.10.05).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R1 zone in Mountain View?
No. Mountain View's use table does not allow it in R1 (§ 36.10.05).
Can I have an apartment building (multifamily housing) in the R3 zone in Mountain View?
Yes. Mountain View's use table lists it as allowed in R3 (§ 36.10.05).
General information, not legal advice.
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