Earlier editions: 2026-09
EAST PALO ALTO DEVELOPMENT CODE 2018 EDITION Current as of: an ordinance adopted February 6, 2024›Title 18 — DEVELOPMENT CODE›Article 2 — ZONES, ALLOWABLE USES AND DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
East Palo Alto Municipal Code Ch. 18.16 Special Purpose Zones (PI, PR and RM)
East Palo Alto Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · East Palo Alto
Cite as: East Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 18.16 · Text as of 2026-10-04
18.16.010 - Purpose and Intent¶
The purposes of each special purpose zone and the manner in which they are applied:
A. PI - Public Institutional Zone. This zone provides for public uses. The zone also allows for a variety of support uses. Appropriate land uses include City buildings, City corporation yards, public schools, fire stations, police stations, and other public uses. Intensity of use is not regulated. This zone implements the Public/Institutional (PI) land use designation in the General Plan.
B. PR - Parks and Recreation Zone. This zone provides for public parks. Trails, community gardens, and other similar uses providing open space and conservation resources and opportunities to surrounding neighborhoods, communities, and the region are allowed. Recreation facilities with an emphasis on outdoor use are also allowed. This zone is encouraged throughout the City. Appropriate land uses include public recreational uses, including public parkland, open space, and associated recreational activities. Other uses determined to be compatible with the primary uses may also be allowed. The allowable intensity is variable, but shall be compatible with surrounding uses. This zone implements the Parks/Recreation/Conservation (PRC) land use designation in the General Plan.
C. RM - Resource Management Zone. This zone provides for the conservation and preservation of environmentally sensitive open space lands in a natural condition. This zone applies to the baylands, creeks, and other protected wetlands. Appropriate land uses include only those required for the maintenance and security of the natural landscape Intensity of use is not regulated. This zone implements the Resource Management (RM) land use designation in the General Plan.
18.16.020 - Land Use Regulations and Allowable Uses¶
A. Table 2-7. Table 2-7 sets forth the uses allowed within each special purpose zone and any permits required to establish the use.
B. Additional Regulations. Where the last column in Table 2-7 includes cross-reference, the regulations in the cross-reference shall apply to the use. Provisions elsewhere in the Development Code may also apply.
C. Design Review. Design Review is required for new or modified construction activities.
| Table 2-7 Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements | Special Purpose Zones Permit Requirements | Special Purpose Zones Permit Requirements | Special Purpose Zones Permit Requirements | Special Purpose Zones Permit Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table 2-7 Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements | P Permitted By-Right CUP Conditional Use Permit ( Chapter 18.88 ) AUP Administrative Use Permit ( Chapter 18.88 ) TUP Temporary Use Term Permit ( Chapter 18.94 ) — Prohibited | P Permitted By-Right CUP Conditional Use Permit ( Chapter 18.88 ) AUP Administrative Use Permit ( Chapter 18.88 ) TUP Temporary Use Term Permit ( Chapter 18.94 ) — Prohibited | P Permitted By-Right CUP Conditional Use Permit ( Chapter 18.88 ) AUP Administrative Use Permit ( Chapter 18.88 ) TUP Temporary Use Term Permit ( Chapter 18.94 ) — Prohibited | P Permitted By-Right CUP Conditional Use Permit ( Chapter 18.88 ) AUP Administrative Use Permit ( Chapter 18.88 ) TUP Temporary Use Term Permit ( Chapter 18.94 ) — Prohibited |
| Land Use See Article 1 for land use definitions. See Chapter 18.04 for unlisted uses. | PI | PR | RM | Specific Use Regulations |
| Recreation, Education, and Public Assembly Uses | ||||
| Colleges | CUP | __ | __ | |
| Commercial Recreation and Entertainment | __ | CUP | __ | |
| Community Gardens | __ | P | P | |
| Cultural Institutions | __ | __ | __ | |
| Open Space and Conservation Resources | P | P | P | |
| Parks and Recreational Facilities, Commercial | ||||
| Active | AUP | AUP | AUP | |
| Passive | P | P | P | |
| Parks and Recreational Facilities, Public | P | P | AUP | |
| Public Assembly/ |
__ | __ | __ | |
| Schools, Private | __ | __ | __ | |
| Schools, Public | CUP | __ | __ | |
| Trails, Public | __ | P | P | |
| Care Uses | Care Uses | Care Uses | Care Uses | Care Uses |
| Congregate Care Homes | __ | __ | __ | |
| Convalescent Facilities | __ | __ | __ | |
| Day Care, General | __ | __ | __ | |
| Emergency Health Care Facility/ |
__ | __ | __ | |
| Hospitals | __ | __ | __ | |
| Residential Care, Accessory Use Only | __ | __ | __ | |
| Retail Trade Uses | Retail Trade Uses | Retail Trade Uses | Retail Trade Uses | Retail Trade Uses |
| Alcohol Sales (on-site), Accessory Only | __ | __ | __ | |
| Retail Sales | Retail Sales | Retail Sales | Retail Sales | Retail Sales |
| Retail Sales (less than 10,000 sq. ft.) | __ | __ | __ | |
| Retail Sales (10,000 sq. ft. or greater) | __ | __ | __ | |
| Service Uses - General | Service Uses - General | Service Uses - General | Service Uses - General | Service Uses - General |
| ATMs | __ | __ | __ | |
| Dry Cleaning Establishments (Retail Only) | __ | __ | __ | |
| Eating and Drinking Establishments | Eating and Drinking Establishments | Eating and Drinking Establishments | Eating and Drinking Establishments | Eating and Drinking Establishments |
| Food Service (no alcohol sales [bars, lounges, or nightclubs], drive-through, fast-food, or late hours) | AUP | AUP | __ | |
| Food Service (with alcohol sales [bars, lounges, or nightclubs], drive-through, fast-food, or late hours) | __ | __ | __ | |
| Personal Services | Personal Services | Personal Services | Personal Services | Personal Services |
| Massage Establishments | __ | __ | __ | |
| Massage Services, Accessory | __ | __ | __ | |
| Nail Salons | __ | __ | __ | |
| Personal Services, General | __ | __ | __ | |
| Personal Services, Restricted | __ | __ | __ | |
| Health/ |
Health/ |
Health/ |
Health/ |
Health/ |
| Small - Less than 2,000 sq. ft. | __ | __ | __ | |
| Large - 2,000 sq. ft. or greater | __ | __ | __ | |
| Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure | ||||
| Heliports and Helistops | __ | __ | __ | |
| Parking Facilities, Accessory Only | P | P | __ | |
| Utilities, Minor | AUP | AUP | AUP | |
| Utilities, Major | AUP | AUP | AUP | |
| Water Storage Facilities | __ | __ | __ | |
| Wireless Telecommunication Facilities | See Section 18.46.020 | See Section 18.46.020 | See Section 18.46.020 | See Section 18.46.020 |
| Other Uses | Other Uses | Other Uses | Other Uses | Other Uses |
| Accessory Structures and Uses | P | P | P | |
| Agricultural Uses - Limited to Community Gardens Only | __ | __ | CUP | |
| Caretaker Dwelling Unit | __ | __ | __ | |
| Charitable Organizations and Institutions | __ | __ | __ | |
| Residential Dwelling Unit | __ | __ | __ | |
| Special Events | Municipal Code Chapter 12.08 | Municipal Code Chapter 12.08 | Municipal Code Chapter 12.08 | Municipal Code Chapter 12.08 |
| Temporary Uses | TUP | TUP | TUP | Chapter 18.94 |
18.16.030 - Development Standards¶
Table 2-8 Development Standards for Special Purpose Zones
| Development Feature | PI | PR | RM | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parcel Dimensions - Minimum dimensions required for each newly created parcel. | ||||
| Parcel Area | None | None | 2 acres | |
| Parcel Coverage | 30% | 10% | 10% | |
| Parcel Width | None | None | None | |
| Parcel Depth | None | None | None | |
| Setbacks | Setbacks | Setbacks | Setbacks | Setbacks |
| Front | 20 ft. | 20 ft. | 50 ft. | |
| Side (Interior, Each) | 10 ft. | 10 ft. | 20 ft. | |
| Rear | 20 ft. | 20 ft. | 50 ft. | |
| Floor Area Ratio | None | None | None | |
| Height | 2 stories or 26 feet, whichever is greater | 1 story or 16 feet, whichever is greater | 1 story or 16 feet, whichever is greater | |
| Fencing | Chapter 18.28 | Chapter 18.28 | Chapter 18.28 | Chapter 18.28 |
| Landscaping | Chapter 18.28 | Chapter 18.28 | Chapter 18.28 | Chapter 18.28 |
| Lighting | Section 18.34.110 | Section 18.34.110 | Section 18.34.110 | Section 18.34.110 |
| Outdoor storage/ |
Section 18.34.120 | Section 18.34.120 | Section 18.34.120 | Section 18.34.120 |
| Parking | Chapter 18.30 | Chapter 18.30 | Chapter 18.30 | Chapter 18.30 |
| Signs | Chapter 18.32 | Chapter 18.32 | Chapter 18.32 | Chapter 18.32 |
| Water Efficient Landscape | Municipal Code Chapter 17.06 | Municipal Code Chapter 17.06 | Municipal Code Chapter 17.06 | Municipal Code Chapter 17.06 |
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