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§ 5.03

5.03.081 Permitted Uses.

Colma Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-08 · Colma

  • (a) The following uses are permitted on land located within the "R" Zone:

    • (1) A single-family dwelling;

    • (2) A manufactured home;

    • (3) A "small family day care home", as defined in the Health and Safety Code providing family day care to six or fewer children;

(4) A multiple dwelling up to six units, provided that the proposed residential density does not exceed that specified in the Colma General Plan;

  • (5) Accessory dwelling units as permitted in Section 5.03.100;

  • (6) Group homes for six (6) or fewer, and seven (7) or more residents;

  • (7) Low-Barrier Navigation Center;

Supportive housing where multifamily and mixed uses are permitted, including nonresidential zones permitting multifamily uses per Government Code 65651 if proposed supportive development meets all the requirements of Government Code 65651;

  • (8) Transitional housing;

(9) A Home Office or Cottage Food Operation, provided that a Zoning Clearance has been issued in accordance with sections 5.03.355 or 5.03.356, and remains in effect for the property;

  • (10) A Single Room Occupancy (SRO); and

(11) Agricultural employee housing for six (6) or fewer persons subject to the same regulations as a single-family dwelling.

(b) The following uses may be permitted in the "R" Zone upon issuance of a use permit in accordance with the procedures hereinafter set forth:

(1) Residential Planned Development on land identified in the Colma General Plan as suitable for residential uses, provided the proposed residential density does not exceed that specified in the Colma General Plan;

Page 19 of 170

March 2026

(2) A home occupation, as described in section 5.03.351 of this Code; and

(3) A “large family day care home,” as defined, and pursuant to the procedures and standards set forth in Section 5.03.111 below.

(c) Accessory buildings may be permitted in the “R” Zone as follows:

(1) An accessory building less than 120 square feet in projected roof area and less than six feet in height is generally permitted on residential lots in the “R” Zone and is not subject to setback requirements provided that such accessory building meets each of the following requirements: (A) the accessory building is not placed between any section of the front wall or foundation of the residence and the front property line, and (B) the aggregate floor area of all such accessory buildings on a single residential parcel does not exceed 120 square feet;

“R” Zone and is not subject to setback requirements provided that such accessory building meets each of the following requirements: (A) the accessory building is not placed between any section of the front wall or foundation of the residence and the front property line, and (B) the aggregate floor area of all such accessory buildings on a single residential parcel does not exceed 120 square feet;

(2) An accessory building not meeting the requirements of the preceding paragraph may be administratively permitted by the Zoning Administrator in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 5.03.290 of this Code provided that the Planner makes the findings for a use permit set forth in section 5.03.255 of this Code and, that the accessory building meets each of the following requirements: (A) each accessory building that exceeds 120 square feet in area or is greater than six feet tall must comply with the setback requirements applicable to buildings in the “R” Zone; (B) the aggregate floor area of all accessory buildings on the lot may not exceed 25% of the rear yard; and (C) the accessory building meets each of the following design requirements: (i) the accessory building shall conform to each restriction set forth in section 5.03.300 for the dwelling unit on the parcel; (ii) the design of and materials used for that accessory building shall be consistent with the design of and materials used in the dwelling unit on the lot; and (iii) the accessory building shall be sited to protect the privacy and quiet enjoyment of neighboring properties and shall minimize impacts of noise, light, glare, and traffic on neighboring properties.

  • (d) Wireless Communications Facilities, except those permitted pursuant to Section 5.17.010 or Section 5.17.120, are prohibited in the “R” Zone.

[History: formerly § 5.313, ORD. 234, 3/14/79; ORD. 346, 3/11/87; ORD. 442, 10/14/92; ORD. 425, 7/10/91; ORD. 600 6/11/03; ORD.617, 6/16/04; ORD. 638, 12/14/05; ORD. 685,1/13/10; ORD. 706, 3/14/12; ORD. 724, 6/12/13; ORD. 728, 10/9/13; ORD. 770, 3/22/17]

Authorities: Gov’t Code §§ 51035, 65850, 65589.5]

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Contents — Colma Zoning Code
Colma Zoning Code
  1. § 5.03
    Overview
    1. 5.03.020 Purpose.
    2. 5.03.030 Definitions generally.
    3. 5.03.040 General Prohibition.
    4. 5.03.050 Zones and Boundaries Thereof.
    5. 5.03.060 Zone Boundaries.
    6. 5.03.070 “G” Zone - Regulations Established.
    7. 5.03.071 “G” Zone - Permitted Uses.
    8. 5.03.072 “G” – Golf and Cemetery Zone – Development Standards.
    9. 5.03.080 Regulations Established.
    10. 5.03.081 Permitted Uses.
    11. 5.03.082 “R” - Residential Zone Development Standards.
    12. 5.03.090 Regulations Established.
    13. 5.03.091 “R-S” Zone - Permitted Uses.
    14. 5.03.092 “R-S” Zone Development Standards.
    15. 5.03.100 Purpose and Intent.
    16. 5.03.101 Definitions.
    17. 5.03.102 Permit Required.
    18. 5.03.103 ADU Density and Consistency.
    19. 5.03.104 ADU Process Time and Submittal Requirements.
    20. 5.03.105 ADU General Development and Operational Standards.
    21. 5.03.106 ADU Rental and Sale Limitations.
    22. 5.03.107 ADU Fee Requirements.
    23. 5.03.108 Conditions for Nonconforming Uses and Structures.
    24. 5.03.109 State Exempt ADUs and JADUs.
    25. 5.03.110 Number and Combination of State Exempt ADUs and JADUs…
    26. 5.03.111 State ADU Standards.
    27. 5.03.112 Non-State Exempt ADU Objective Design Standards.
    28. 5.03.113 Junior Accessory Dwelling Units.
    29. 5.03.110 Purpose.
    30. 5.03.111 Standards for Permitting Large Family Day Care Homes.
    31. 5.03.120 Purpose.
    32. 5.03.121 Prohibition of Boarding Houses or Rooming Houses in S…
    33. 5.03.130 Regulations Established.
    34. 5.03.131 Purpose.
    35. 5.03.132 Permitted Uses.
    36. 5.03.133 “C” - Commercial Zone Development Standards.
    37. 5.03.140 Regulations Established.
    38. 5.03.141 Purpose.
    39. 5.03.150 Regulations Established.
    40. 5.03.151 Purpose.
    41. 5.03.152 "DR" - Design Review Combining Zone Design Standards …
    42. 5.03.153 Restrictions and Procedures Applicable to the "DR" - …
    43. 5.03.154 Objective Design Standards (ODDS) for Planned Develop…
    44. 5.03.155 Manufactured Single-Family Residential Objective Desi…
    45. 5.03.156. ADU (ODDS)
    46. 5.03.160 Regulations Established.
    47. 5.03.161 Purpose.
    48. 5.03.162 Permitted Uses.
    49. 5.03.163 "P" – Public Zone Development Standards
    50. 5.03.170 Regulations Established.
    51. 5.03.171 Permitted Uses.
    52. 5.03.172 "E" – Executive, Administrative Zone Development Stan…
    53. 5.03.180 Regulations Established.
    54. 5.03.181 Purpose.
    55. 5.03.182 Permitted Uses.
    56. 5.03.183 Establishment of PD – Planned Development Districts.
    57. 5.03.184 Conceptual Development Plan Required.
    58. 5.03.185 Conditional Uses.
    59. 5.03.186 Detailed Development Plan Required.
    60. 5.03.187 PD – Planned Development Design Standards.
    61. 5.03.188 Open Space and Density.
    62. 5.03.189 Amendment of Development Plan.
    63. 5.03.190 Development Schedule.
    64. 5.03.191 Revocation of Use Permit.
    65. 5.03.195 Purpose.
    66. 5.03.196 No Parking Standards Required for Housing Element Ove…
    67. 5.03.197 Purpose.
    68. 5.03.198 Density Bonus and Affordable Housing Incentives.
    69. 5.03.199 In-Lieu Fees and Impact Fees.
    70. 5.03.200 Housing Fund.
    71. 5.03.201 Purposes and Use of Housing Fund.
    72. 5.03.202 Affordability Requirement for Residential Development.
    73. 5.03.203 Exemptions.
    74. 5.03.204 Basic Requirements for Inclusionary Units.
    75. 5.03.205 Alternative Equivalent Actions.
    76. 5.03.206 Compliance Procedures.
    77. 5.03.207 Eligibility for Inclusionary Units.
    78. 5.03.208 Owner-Occupied Units.
    79. 5.03.209 Rental Units.
    80. 5.03.210 Delegation of Authority.
    81. 5.03.211 Minimum Requirements.
    82. 5.03.212 Adjustments, Waivers.
    83. 5.03.213 Enforcement Provisions.
    84. 5.03.215 Regulations Established.
    85. 5.03.216 Purpose.
    86. 5.03.217 Restriction Applicable to "F" Zone.
    87. 5.03.218 Regulations Established.
    88. 5.03.219 “T" – Transit Zone Development Standards.
    89. 5.03.220 Development Standards Applicable to All Zones
    90. 5.03.230 Purpose.
    91. 5.03.231 Applicability.
    92. 5.03.232 Parking Standards.
    93. 5.03.233 Calculation of Parking
    94. 5.03.234 Location of Required Parking.
    95. 5.03.240 Purpose.
    96. 5.03.241 Application for Use Permit.
    97. 5.03.242 Standards for Granting Use Permit.
    98. 5.03.243 Effective Date of Decision to Grant or Deny Use Permi…
    99. 5.03.244 Lapse of Use Permit; Extension.
    100. 5.03.245 Duration of Use Permit.
    101. 5.03.246 Revocation of Use Permit.
    102. 5.03.250 Purpose.
    103. 5.03.252 Application Process; No Public Hearing.
    104. 5.03.253 Tier 1 Temporary Uses.
    105. 5.03.254 Tier 2 Temporary Uses.
    106. 5.03.255 Required Findings.
    107. 5.03.256 Conditions of Approval.
    108. 5.03.257 Term; Extension.
    109. 5.03.258 Revocation.
    110. 5.03.259 Appeal.
    111. 5.03.260 Posting.
    112. 5.03.270 Purpose
    113. 5.03.271 Application for Variance.
    114. 5.03.272 Standards for Granting a Variance.
    115. 5.03.273 Effective Date of Variance.
    116. 5.03.280 Purpose
    117. 5.03.281 Application for Amendment.
    118. 5.03.282 Standards for Adopting Amendments to Zoning Ordinance.
    119. 5.03.283 Compliance.
    120. 5.03.290 Administrative Permits.
    121. 5.03.300 Purpose.
    122. 5.03.310 Purpose.
    123. 5.03.350 Minor, Short-term, and Temporary Uses.
    124. 5.03.351 Home Office Use – Purpose and Recitals.
    125. 5.03.352 Home Office Use – Scope; Prohibition.
    126. 5.03.353 Home Office Use – Zoning Clearance; Prohibited Activi…
    127. 5.03.354 Home Office Use – Zoning Clearance Process.
    128. 5.03.355 Home Occupation Use – Conditional Use Permit Required.
    129. 5.03.356 Home Occupation Use or Cottage Food Operation – Condi…
    130. 5.03.357 No Net Reduction in Housing Units.
    131. 5.03.358 Regulation of the Use of Personal, Medical, and Comme…
    132. 5.03.359 Restrictions and Landscaping Along El Camino Real.
    133. 5.03.360 Restrictions Applicable to Recreational Vehicles and …
    134. 5.03.361 Restrictions Applicable to Dumps.
    135. 5.03.362 Regulations Applicable to RMU Vendors.
    136. 5.03.420 Applicability and Purpose.
    137. 5.03.421 Definitions.
    138. 5.03.422 Basic Requirements.
    139. 5.03.423 Applicant Obligations.
    140. 5.03.424 Electronic Processing.
    141. 5.03.425 Application Review.
    142. 5.03.426 Administrative Use Permit.
    143. 5.03.427 Inspections.
    144. 5.03.428 Exemptions.
    145. 5.03.430 Purpose.
    146. 5.03.431 Applicability of Historic Design Review.
    147. 5.03.432 Definitions.
    148. 5.03.433 Historic Design Review Procedures.
    149. 5.03.434 Findings and Decision.
    150. 5.03.435 Conformance to Plans.
    151. 5.03.500.1 Purpose and Findings.
    152. 5.03.500.2 Definitions.
    153. 5.03.502 Removal or Alteration of Trees Without a Permit Prohi…
    154. 5.03.503 Decision Making Body.
    155. 5.03.504 Permit Procedures.
    156. 5.03.505 Exceptions.
    157. 5.03.506 Appeal .
    158. 5.03.600 Purpose.
    159. 5.03.601 Definitions.
    160. 5.03.602 Administration.
    161. 5.03.603 Interference with town employees, contractors or repr…
    162. 5.03.604 Public Tree Care.
    163. 5.03.605 Destruction of Public Trees Unlawful.
    164. 5.03.606 Exceptions.
    165. 5.03.608 Town Tree Master Plan.
    166. 5.03.608 Master Tree List.
    167. 5.03.609 Prohibited Trees.
    168. 5.03.700 Purpose.
    169. 5.03.701 Applicability.
    170. 5.03.702 Application Requirements.
    171. 5.03.703 Consideration of Request.
    172. 5.03.704 Notice of Decision.

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