Mountain View - Legislative Alert

November 18, 2025

The city of Mountain View is considering two major housing policy amendments which could have a significant impact on local rental housing providers. The date and time of the city council meetings are listed below in case you want to attend and make your voices heard.

 

First, the city is considering draft regulations to expand tenant protections against harassment and retaliation. At a study session in March 2025, the Rental Housing Committee reviewed federal, state and comparable local laws on retaliation. The committee reportedly expressed unanimous support for creating a policy that would define harassment and retaliation, as well as lay out noticing requirements, penalties and remedies. More recently, on October 23, 2025, the Rental Housing Committee reviewed draft regulations. Although state law (California Civil Code § 1942.5) already prohibits a landlord from retaliating against a tenant for exercising their rights, the proposed regulation provides examples of "protected activities" and several pages of examples of what would be considered "harassment." The regulations would also establish a rebuttable presumption that a landlord action is retaliation if it occurs within 180 days of a tenant's protected activity, shifting the burden of proof to the landlord to prove that their action was valid and not connected to a tenant's assertion of their rights. The tenant would also be able to assert a landlord's violation of this regulation as an affirmative defense in an unlawful detainer action by a landlord. 


The committee is expected to consider a recommendation to adopt the regulations on November 20, 2025 at 6pm at Council Chambers (500 Castro Street) and via video conference. 

 

Second, the City Council is considering extensive amendments to the Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance (TRAO). The TRAO was first passed in 2010 with the purpose of mitigating impacts experienced by moderate- to very low-income tenants of rental housing who are displaced from their residences due to demolition, remodel, or conversion of their residence. At a meeting on October 28, 2025, the council held its first reading of the proposed changes. 


The new version would dramatically increase relocation payments, require landlords to cover moving expenses for all tenants and add new “right of return” provisions for displaced renters.


The city council is expected to revisit the proposal on December 9, 2025 at 6:30pm at Council Chambers (500 Castro Street) and via video conference. 


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This update covers significant legal updates from 2025 that will affect housing providers in the coming year. We cover major laws passed by the California legislature as well as important court decisions and noteworthy local initiatives. California Legislature AB 246: Eviction Protection for Interruption of Social Security Benefits. AB 325: Common Pricing Algorithm Restrictions. AB 414: Updated Procedures for Returning Security Deposits. AB 628: Stove and Refrigerator Added to Habitability Standard. AB 747: Changes to Service of Unlawful Detainer Lawsuit AB 1414: Tenant Right to Opt Out of Internet Plan. AB 1529: Simplification of AB1482 Disclosure Requirement. SB 610: Post-Disaster Obligations for Landlords, and Tenant Right to Return to Repaired Units. AB1248: Ban on Ratio Utility Billing – Not Passed. Notable Court Decisions Eshagian v. Cepeda (C.A. 2nd, June 26, 2025): Invalidated a 3-day pay-or-quit notice for lacking service date and clear deadline. Gogal v. Deng (C.A. 4th, July 22, 2025): Lease caps on attorney fees/costs ($1,000) enforceable, but California Supreme Court has agreed to review decision. Ongoing COVID Eviction Moratorium litigation. Local Initiatives Los Angeles: Immigration Emergency Declaration. Los Angeles: Right to Counsel San Diego: Broad Limits on Rental Fees.