Fair Rents, Fair Bills: Understanding Rent & Utility Regulations

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Join us for a learning session about San José’s Rent Stabilization Program and possible updates to the city’s rules on how utilities are billed in rental housing (known as Ratio Utility Billing Services, or RUBS).

We’ll break down:

  • What rent stabilization means
  • How RUBS works
  • And what these proposed changes could mean for renters and housing providers

You’ll also learn how to share your feedback and get involved as the city considers these updates and how it can impact you.

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October 30, 2025

Mountain View Council Adopts Key Updates to the Gatekeeper Process

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Recently, the Mountain View City Council approved updates to the Gatekeeper process, streamlining parts of the housing review system to make it faster and more efficient. SV@Home welcomes these improvements and continues to advocate for broader reforms.

On Tuesday October 14th, the Mountain View City Council met to discuss updates to the city’s Gatekeeper process—a system that determines whether development proposals requiring zoning or General Plan changes can move forward for review. 

Originally created to manage staff capacity, the Gatekeeper process requires Council authorization before large or complex housing proposals can proceed. SV@Home has long advocated for reform, urging the City to make the process more transparent, predictable, and aligned with its housing goals. While we believe the process adds unnecessary delays, we continue to support meaningful changes that allow more types of projects to move forward through streamlined review, or bypass the process entirely.

This week’s discussion marked real progress. Council considered recommendations from Councilmember Ramirez aimed at aligning the Gatekeeper process more closely with the City’s Housing Element and simplifying review procedures. SV@Home supported the key updates, which include removing floor plan submission requirements (a change that prevents developers from having to produce detailed designs too early) and exempting projects consistent with existing zoning from Gatekeeper review, saving both time and cost for proposals already in line with city plans.

Council voted 4–3 to adopt these changes and directed staff to explore additional refinements that could expand eligibility for streamlined projects and improve clarity for applicants.

SV@Home thanks city Council for their continued leadership on this issue. While we would prefer to see the Gatekeeper process removed altogether, we are encouraged by these reforms and remain committed to supporting improvements that make it as fair, efficient, and housing-focused as possible.

Stay engaged as Mountain View continues to refine the Gatekeeper process, your voice helps shape how our community plans for housing.