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Title 16

Chapter 16.02 — GENERAL PROVISIONS

Menlo Park Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-06 · Menlo Park

§ 16.02.010. Zoning code adopted.

There is adopted a precise zoning plan for the city. Such plan is adopted to promote and protect the public health, safety, peace, morals, comfort and general welfare. (Prior code § 30.1 (part))

§ 16.02.020. Purpose.

The purpose of this title is to preserve and extend the charm and beauty inherent to the residential character of the city; to regulate and limit the density of population; encourage the most appropriate use of land; to conserve land and stabilize the value of property; to provide adequate open space for light, air and fire protection; to lessen traffic congestion; to facilitate the provision of community facilities; to encourage tree and shrub planting; to encourage building construction of pleasing design; to provide the economic and social advantages of a planned community. (Prior code § 30.1 (part))

§ 16.02.030. Short title.

This title shall be known by the following short title: "The Menlo Park Zoning Ordinance." (Prior code § 30.1 (part))

§ 16.02.040. Relation to previous regulations.

Except as specifically provided herein, this title shall not be interpreted to repeal, abrogate, annul or in any way affect any existing provision of any law or ordinance or regulations or permits previously adopted or issued relating to the erection, construction, moving, alteration or enlargement of any building or improvement; provided however, in any instances where this chapter imposes greater restrictions upon the erection, construction, establishment, moving, alteration or improvement of buildings or the use of any building or structure than is imposed or required by an existing law, ordinance or regulation, the provisions of this chapter shall control. (Prior code § 30.1201)

§ 16.02.050. Interpretation by planning commission.

Whenever the planning commission of the city is called to determine whether or not the use of land or any structure in any district is similar in character to the particular uses allowed in a district, the commission shall consider the following factors as criteria for their determination;

  • (1) Effect upon the public health, safety, and general welfare of the neighborhood involved and the city at large;

  • (2) Effect upon traffic conditions;

  • (3) Effect upon the orderly development of the area in question and the city at large in regard to the general planning of the whole community.

  • (Prior code § 30.1202)

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City of Menlo Park, CA § 16.02.060

MENLO PARK CODE

§ 16.02.070

§ 16.02.060. Validity.

No action of the city, its City Council or planning commission shall be deemed invalid by reason of failure to comply with or conform to the provisions of this chapter, provided that the procedural requirements of the state Government Code have been met. (Prior code § 30.1203)

§ 16.02.070. Mitigation monitoring.

All development, as applicable, including ministerially reviewed development seeking a building permit, shall comply with the Mitigation Monitoring and Report Program (MMRP) established through Resolution No. 6356, associated with the environmental impact report prepared for the ConnectMenlo General Plan and M-2 Area Zoning Update, adopted on the 29th day of November 2016, and the MMRP established through Resolution No. 6808, associated with the subsequent environmental impact report prepared for the Housing Element Update project, adopted on the 31st day of January 2023.

(Ord. 1105 § 6 (Exh. E § 1), 2023; Ord. 1028 § 3, 2016)

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City of Menlo Park, CA

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Contents — Menlo Park Zoning Code
Menlo Park Zoning Code
  1. Title 16
    Overview
    1. Chapter 16.20 — R-3 APARTMENT DISTRICT
    2. Chapter 16.22 — R-4 HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    3. Chapter 16.28 — R-L-U RETIREMENT LIVING UNITS DISTRICT
    4. Chapter 16.37 — C-2-S NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, SPECIAL
    5. Chapter 16.44 — LS LIFE SCIENCES DISTRICT
    6. Chapter 16.02 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    7. Chapter 16.04 — DEFINITIONS
    8. Chapter 16.06 — ENFORCEMENT
    9. Chapter 16.08 — DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED—GENERAL REGULATIONS
    10. Chapter 16.10 — R-E RESIDENTIAL ESTATE DISTRICT
    11. Chapter 16.12 — R-E-S RESIDENTIAL ESTATE SUBURBAN DISTRICT
    12. Chapter 16.14 — R-1-S SINGLE-FAMILY SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL DISTR…
    13. Chapter 16.15 — R-1-S (FG) SINGLE-FAMILY SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL …
    14. Chapter 16.16 — R-1-U SINGLE FAMILY URBAN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    15. Chapter 16.17 — R-1-U (LM) SINGLE FAMILY URBAN RESIDENTIAL DIS…
    16. Chapter 16.18 — R-2 LOW DENSITY APARTMENT DISTRICT
    17. Chapter 16.20 — R-3 APARTMENT DISTRICT
    18. Chapter 16.22 — R-4 HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    19. Chapter 16.23
    20. Chapter 16.24 — R-3-A GARDEN APARTMENT RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    21. Chapter 16.26 — R-3-C APARTMENT—OFFICE DISTRICT
    22. Chapter 16.28 — R-L-U RETIREMENT LIVING UNITS DISTRICT
    23. Chapter 16.30
    24. Chapter 16.35
    25. Chapter 16.36 — C-1-C ADMINISTRATIVE, PROFESSIONAL AND RESEARC…
    26. Chapter 16.37
    27. Chapter 16.38 — C-2 NEIGHBORHOOD SHOPPING DISTRICT
    28. Chapter 16.40 — C-MU NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED USE DISTRICT
    29. Chapter 16.43 — O OFFICE DISTRICT
    30. Chapter 16.44 — LS LIFE SCIENCES DISTRICT
    31. Chapter 16.45 — R-MU RESIDENTIAL MIXED USE DISTRICT
    32. Chapter 16.46 — M-2 GENERAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
    33. Chapter 16.47 — M-3 COMMERCIAL BUSINESS PARK
    34. Chapter 16.48 — OSC OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION DISTRICT
    35. Chapter 16.49 — P-F PUBLIC FACILITIES DISTRICT
    36. Chapter 16.50 — FP FLOOD PLAIN DISTRICT
    37. Chapter 16.52 — P PARKING DISTRICT
    38. Chapter 16.54 — H HISTORIC SITE DISTRICT
    39. Chapter 16.55 — AAGP ALLIED ARTS GUILD PRESERVATION DISTRICT
    40. Chapter 16.56 — X CONDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
    41. Chapter 16.58 — SP-ECR/D EL CAMINO REAL/DOWNTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN
    42. Chapter 16.59 — LOTS
    43. Chapter 16.60 — ENCROACHMENTS AND BALCONIES
    44. Chapter 16.64 — FENCES, WALLS, TREES AND HEDGES[6 ]
    45. Chapter 16.65 — SOLAR ACCESS
    46. Chapter 16.66 — STREET IMPROVEMENTS AND DEDICATIONS
    47. Chapter 16.67 — DAYLIGHT PLANES[7 ]
    48. Chapter 16.68 — BUILDINGS
    49. Chapter 16.70 — SWIMMING POOLS
    50. Chapter 16.72 — OFF-STREET PARKING
    51. Chapter 16.74 — PARKING LOTS
    52. Chapter 16.76 — PUBLIC UTILITIES
    53. Chapter 16.77 — TWO (2) UNIT HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS
    54. Chapter 16.79 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS[9 ]
    55. Chapter 16.80 — NONCONFORMING USES AND BUILDINGS
    56. Chapter 16.82 — PERMITS
    57. Chapter 16.83 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
    58. Chapter 16.84 — PUBLIC HEARINGS
    59. Chapter 16.85 — NOTICES FOR SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPM…
    60. Chapter 16.86 — APPEALS
    61. Chapter 16.88 — AMENDMENTS
    62. Chapter 16.90 — MAP—BOUNDARIES
    63. Chapter 16.92 — SIGNS—OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
    64. Chapter 16.93 — ANTENNAE
    65. Chapter 16.95 — RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY
    66. Chapter 16.96 — BELOW MARKET RATE HOUSING PROGRAM
    67. Chapter 16.97 — STATE DENSITY BONUS LAW
    68. Chapter 16.98 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING OVERLAY
    69. Chapter 16.99 — EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS OVERLAY

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