Chapter 17.34 — PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT (POS)

Sections:

• 17.34.010 Purpose.

• 17.34.020 Characteristics of the District.

• 17.34.030 Permitted Uses.

• 17.34.040 Development Standards.

The purpose of this chapter is to implement the open space element of the general plan and provisions of the California Government Code related to open space zoning. This district is designed to designate open space for the preservation of natural resources, uses for the managed production of resources, for outdoor recreation, and for public health and safety. Compliance with the California Government Code requirements for an open space zoning code is achieved through use of this district.

The regulations set forth in this chapter shall apply in all park and open space (POS) districts and shall be subject to the provisions of this title. (Ord. 582 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009)

The POS district provides for the establishment of parks, recreation, and open space uses. Other recreational and natural preservation uses, such as country clubs, watershed protection lands, and similar uses, may be permitted. (Ord. 582 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009)

The Atherton Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 677, passed February 18, 2026.

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Title 17 Zoning | Atherton Municipal Code

Table 17.34.030-1 (Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for POS District) identifies the allowed uses in the POS district subject to the development standards of this chapter and all other provisions of this title. Allowed use provisions are symbolized in the table as follows:

P = Land use permitted by right

CUP = Land use permitted with approval of a conditional use permit

Table 17.34.030-1. Allowed Uses

and Permit Requirements for POS

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District
Zoning
District
Land Use
POS
Agriculture P
Ecologic study P
Employee housing [2 ] P
Group homes for persons P
with disabilities [1 ]
Multifamily residential [1,] [4 ] P
Permanent supportive P
housing [1,] [3 ]
Public park, recreation, or P
open space uses
Single-room occupancy [1 ] P
Uses of historic and P
cultural value
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The Atherton Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 677, passed February 18, 2026.

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Title 17 Zoning | Atherton Municipal Code

Table 17.34.030-1. Allowed Uses

and Permit Requirements for POS

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District
Zoning
District
Land Use
POS
Watershed land and P
groundwater recharged
land
Country clubs CUP
Home occupation CUP
Public utilities and CUP
facilities uses and
structures
Caretaker housing CUP
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1 Shall only be permitted on lots with a Multifamily Overlay District (RM-10) designation. Subject to compliance with objective design standards in chapter 17.35 (Multifamily Overlay District RM-10).

2 Agricultural employee housing must comply with California Health and Safety Code Section 17021.5.

3 Pursuant to Government Code Section 65651, a one hundred percent affordable housing development that provides twenty-five percent of its total units, or twelve units, as permanent supportive housing, is principally permitted within the multifamily overlay.

4 Pursuant to Government Code Section 65660, a low-barrier navigation center is principally permitted on any parcel within the multifamily overlay.

(Ord. 669 § 4, 2024; Ord. 582 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009)

Table 17.34.040-1 (Development Standards for POS District) identifies the development standards for the POS district. All buildings and structures located in the POS district shall be considered as main buildings and not as accessory structures.

The Atherton Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 677, passed February 18, 2026.

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Title 17 Zoning | Atherton Municipal Code

Table 17.34.040-1. Development Standards for POS District

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Zoning District
Development
Standard
POS
Height, maximum 34 ft.
Lot coverage, 20% gross lot
aggregate, maximum area
Front and rear yard, 60 ft.
minimum
Side yard, minimum See chapter
17.38
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(Ord. 582 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009)