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Title 16

Chapter 16.47 — M-3 COMMERCIAL BUSINESS PARK

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

§ 16.47.010. Purpose.

The purpose and intent of the M-3 district is to:

  • (1) Provide for zoning that would accommodate uses ranging from office to light industrial, including research and development businesses, allowing for modern business practices that often lead to shifts in primary business functions over time.

  • (2) Provide an area that accommodates hotel uses to serve local and regional demand.

  • (3) Allow supportive commercial services for nearby employment and hotel uses.

  • (4) Provide a benefit to the city of Menlo Park that is negotiated through a development agreement in exchange for an increase in floor area ratio (FAR) in order for the city to obtain enhanced revenue or a specific use that provides consistent revenue that would otherwise not be accomplished without the bonus FAR or that the bonus provides an amenity or promotes a city goal that would not otherwise be feasible or achievable.

  • (Ord. 969 § 2 (part), 2010)

§ 16.47.015. Applicability.

The district shall be limited to two (2) areas with boundaries delineated by: (1) the Bayshore Freeway (US101), Independence Drive, and Chrysler Drive; and (2) the Bayfront Expressway (SR84), Independence Drive, Constitution Drive, and Chrysler Drive. (Ord. 969 § 2 (part), 2010)

§ 16.47.020. Permitted uses.

Permitted uses in the M-3 district are as follows:

  • (1) Administrative and professional offices, excluding medical/dental offices;

  • (2) Research and development;

  • (3) Light industrial.

  • (Ord. 969 § 2 (part), 2010)

§ 16.47.030. Conditional uses.

Conditional uses allowed in the M-3 district, subject to obtaining a conditional development permit or a use permit, are as follows:

  • (1) A range of commercial uses, such as hotels, health and fitness centers, and uses that provide services to the surrounding community, such as restaurants, retail, personal services, financial establishments, and child care;

  • (2) Public utilities in accordance with Chapter 16.76;

  • (3) Special uses in accordance with Chapter 16.78;

  • (4) Activities involving the incidental use of hazardous materials, and provided there are

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City of Menlo Park, CA

MENLO PARK CODE

§ 16.47.030

§ 16.47.040

adequate safeguards therefor. (Ord. 969 § 2 (part), 2010)

§ 16.47.040. Development regulations.

Development regulations in the M-3 district are as follows:

  • (1) Minimum lot area: three (3) acres;

  • (2) Minimum lot dimensions: two hundred (200) feet by two hundred (200) feet;

  • (3) Minimum yards: twenty (20) feet front, rear, and sides;

  • (4) Land cover by all structures shall not exceed forty-five percent (45%);

  • (5) Minimum open space (landscaping) shall be thirty-five percent (35%);

  • (6) Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) shall not exceed forty-five percent (45%), except through a development agreement on project areas greater than ten (10) acres in aggregate, in which case the maximum cannot exceed one hundred thirty-five and one-half percent (137.5%) total, with office-type uses limited to one hundred percent (100%). Provided the overall FAR is not exceeded for the applicable project area, the maximum FAR may be exceeded on a per parcel basis as set forth in the conditional development permit;

  • (7) Maximum height of structures shall be forty-five (45) feet;

  • (8) In the case of conditional uses, the planning commission may require additional regulations.

  • (Ord. 969 § 2 (part), 2010)

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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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