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Title 8 — ZONING & DEVELOPMENT CODE

Chapter 8.08 — DISTRICTS

San Mateo County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Mateo County

8.08.010 - Designation Of Districts.

The districts established by this Part are as follows:

DISTRICT :

R-E Residential Estates Districts
R-1 One-Family Residential Districts
R-1/CCP One-Family Residential/Country Club Park
R-2 Two-Family Residential Districts
R-3 Multiple-Family Residential Districts
R-3-A Affordable Housing Districts
PUD Planned Unit Development Districts
A-1 Agricultural Districts
A-2 Exclusive Agricultural Districts
A-3 Floricultural Districts
COSC Community Open Space Conservation Districts
EG El Granada Districts
P Parking Districts
H-1 Limited Highway Frontage Districts
O Office Districts
C-1 Neighborhood Business Districts
C-1/NFO Neighborhood Business District/North Fair Oaks
C-1/WMP Neighborhood Business District/West Menlo Park
C-2 General Commercial Districts
C-2/NFO General Commercial District/North Fair Oaks
CCR Coastside Commercial Recreation Districts
M-1 Light Industrial Districts
M-1/EDISON/NFO Light Industrial District/Edison Way/North Fair Oaks
M-1/NFO Light Industrial District/North Fair Oaks
M-2 Heavy Industrial Districts
W Waterfront Districts

I/NFO Institutional/North Fair Oaks RM Resource Management Districts PAD Planned Agricultural Districts TPZ Timberland Preserve Districts RH Residential Hillside Districts RM-CZ Resource Management-Coastal Zone Districts TPZ-CZ Timberland Preserve-Coastal Zone Districts PC Planned Colma District

(Prior Code § 6110; Ord. 2704, 12/16/80)

(Prior Code § 6110; Ord. 2862, 12/13/83) (Prior Code § 6110; Ord. 3602, 09/27/94) (Prior Code § 6110; Ord. 3918, 07/27/99)

8.08.020 - Combining Districts.

In addition to the foregoing districts, there are hereby established, for combination with the districts set forth in Section 8.08.010 above, certain districts as follows:

DISTRICT :

TRICT:
S-1 Residential Density District Number 1
S-2 Residential Density District Number 2
S-3 Residential Density District Number 3
S-4 Residential Density District Number 4
S-5 Residential Density District Number 5
S-6 Residential Density District Number 6
S-7 Residential Density District Number 7
S-8 Residential Density District Number 8
S-9 Residential Density District Number 9
S-10 Residential Density District Number 10
S-11 Residential Density District Number 11
S-12 Residential Density District Number 12
S-13 Residential Density District Number 13
S-17 Residential Density District Number 17
S-50 Residential Density District Number 50 (North Fair Oaks)
S-71 Residential Density District Number 71 (Devonshire)
S-72 Residential Density District Number 72 (West Menlo Park)
S-73 Residential Density District Number 73 (North Fair Oaks)
S-74 Residential Density District Number 74 (Selby Neighborhood - Sequoia Tract)
S-75 Residential Density District Number 75 (Weekend Acres)
S-81 Residential Density District Number 81 (San Mateo Highlands)
S-82 Residential Density District Number 82 (West Menlo Park)
S-83 Residential Density District Number 83 (Los Trancos Woods)
S-90 Residential Density District Number 90 (Menlo Oaks)
S-91 Residential Density District Number 91 (Palomar Park)
S-92 Residential Density District Number 92 (West Menlo Park)
S-93 Residential Density District Number 93 (North Fair Oaks)
S-94 Residential Density District Number 94 (Midcoast)
S-95 Residential Density District Number 95 (Ladera)
S-100 Residential Density District Number 100 (Menlo Oaks)
S-101 Residential Density District Number 101 (Palomar Park)
S-102 Residential Density District Number 102 (Devonshire)
S-104 Residential Density District Number 104 (Ladera)
S-105 Residential Density District Number 105 (Midcoast)
S-106 Residential Density District Number 106 (Ladera)
S-108 Residential Density District Number 108 (Los Trancos Woods)
S-110 Residential Density District Number 110 (Ladera)
AO Airport Overlay District
CD Coastal Development Districts
DR Design Review Districts
GH Geologic Hazards District
E Entertainment Overlay District

(Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 1483, 10/10/61) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 2704, 12/16/80) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 2862, 12/13/83) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 3320, 04/29/91) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 3602, 09/27/94) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 3843, 08/04/98) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 3844, 08/04/98)

(Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 3918, 07/27/99) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 3972, 07/11/00) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 3973, 07/11/00) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 3974, 07/11/00) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 3975, 07/11/00) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 3979, 08/08/00) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 3980, 08/08/00) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 4241, 12/07/04) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 4384, 09/11/07) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 4387, 09/11/07) (Prior Code § 6111; Ord. 4591, 11/15/11)

8.08.030 - Establishment Of Districts.

  • (a) The districts listed in Sections 8.08.010 and 8.08.020 of this Chapter are hereby established insofar as their designations, locations, and boundaries are set forth and indicated in Zoning Maps which comprise Section 8.08.060 of this Part. These Zoning Maps show the designation, locations, and boundaries of each adopted district, and the location and depth of certain setback lines.

  • (b) An index map to the Zoning Maps constitutes Section 8.08.050 of this Chapter, and all notations, references, data, and other information shown thereon are made a part of this Part.

(Prior Code § 6112; Ord. 2862, 12/13/83)

8.08.040 - DISTRICT BOUNDARIES .

Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of any of the aforesaid districts as described as aforesaid or as shown on said sectional district maps, the following rules shall apply:

  • (a) Where such boundaries are indicated as following streets and alleys, the centerlines of such streets and alleys shall be construed to be such boundaries.

  • (b) Where such boundaries are indicated as approximately following lot lines, such lot lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.

  • (c) In unsubdivided property or where a district boundary divides a lot, the location of any such boundary, unless the same is indicated by dimensions shown upon said sectional district maps, shall be determined by the use of the scale appearing on such sectional district maps.

  • (d) In case further uncertainty exists, the Planning Commission upon written application or upon its own motion shall determine the exact location of such boundaries.

8.08.050 - Index Map.

This section incorporates the Index Map for the series of maps making up the Zoning Maps which delineate the County’s Zoning Districts established in Section 8.08.060.

(Prior Code § 6114, Ord. 2862, 12/13/83)

8.08.060 - Sectional District Maps.

A series of Zoning Maps is established by this section which delineate the County’s Zoning Districts established by Section 8.08.030 and named in Sections 8.08.010 and 8.08.020. These maps are separately published.

(Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 2862, 12/13/83)

(Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 3845, 08/04/98) (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 3899, 04/20/99) (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4156, 02/04/03) (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4242, 12/07/04) (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4252, 02/08/05) (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4282, 11/08/05) (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4296, 03/07/06) (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4344, 11/14/06) (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4347, 11/14/06 (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4358, 01/23/07 (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4385, 09/11/07 (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4386, 09/11/07 (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4395, 10/2/07, CC 11/16/07) (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4407, 02/05/08) (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4481, 10/06/09) (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4497, 04/27/10) (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4529, 11/30/10) (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4543, 03/15/11)

(Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4562, 05/24/11), CC 08/08/12, effective CZ 09/07/12 (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4565, 05/24/11, CC 08/08/12 and effective in CZ 09/07/12 (Prior Code § 6115; Ord. 4569, 05/24/11, CC 08/08/12 and effective in CZ 09/07/12

8.08.070 - Effect Of Establishment Of Districts.

Except as hereinafter otherwise provided:

  • (a) No building or structure shall be erected and no existing building or structure shall be moved, altered, added to or enlarged nor shall any land, building or structure, or premises be used, designed or intended to be used for any purpose or in any manner other than those included among the uses thereinafter listed as permitted in the district in which such building or structure, land, or premises is located.

  • (b) No building or structure shall be erected, reconstructed, or structurally altered to exceed in height the limit hereinafter designated for the district in which such building or structure is located.

  • (c) No building or structure shall be erected, nor shall any existing building or structure be altered, enlarged, or rebuilt except in conformity to the lot area, yard, court, and building or structure location regulations hereinafter set forth for the district in which such building or structure is located.

  • (d) No yard or other open space provided about any building for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this Part shall be considered as providing a yard or open space for any other building, and no yard or other open space on one lot shall be considered as providing a yard or open space for a building on any other lot.

  • (e) No parking area or garage space provided on a lot for the purpose of complying with provisions of this Part shall be reduced in area or capacity or be considered as providing parking area or garage space, or yard, court, or other open space required for any building or use on any other lot except as hereinafter provided.

  • (f) No lot or other premises shall be divided, subdivided or otherwise reduced to result in an area less than the minimum lot area specified by this Part for the district in which such lot is situated. Any division of property made in violation of this provision or in violation of the provisions of San Mateo County Ordinance No. 595 or the Subdivision Map Act shall not be recognized for the purposes of determining lots, parcels or building sites in the application of this Part.

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Contents — San Mateo County Zoning Code
San Mateo County Zoning Code
  1. Title 8 — ZONING & DEVELOPMENT CODE
    Overview
    1. Article 1 — ZONING DISTRICTS, OVERLAY, AND COMBINING DISTRICTS
    2. Chapter 8.04 — ZONING GENERAL PROVISIONS
    3. Chapter 8.08 — DISTRICTS
    4. Chapter 8.12 — RE, RESIDENTIAL ESTATES
    5. Chapter 8.16 — R1, ONE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
    6. Chapter 8.20 — R1-CCP, COUNTRY CLUB PARK
    7. Chapter 8.24 — R2, TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    8. Chapter 8.28 — R3, MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    9. Chapter 8.32 — R3-A, AFFORDABLE HOUSING DISTRICT
    10. Chapter 8.34 — PUD, PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
    11. Chapter 8.36 — A1, AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
    12. Chapter 8.40 — A2, EXCLUSIVE AGRICULTURE DISTRICTS
    13. Chapter 8.44 — A3, FLORICULTURAL DISTRICTS
    14. Chapter 8.48 — COSC, COMMUNITY OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
    15. Chapter 8.52 — EG, EL GRANADA GATEWAY DISTRICT
    16. Chapter 8.56 — P, PARKING DISTRICT
    17. Chapter 8.60 — H1, LIMITED HIGHWAY FRONTAGE DISTRICT
    18. Chapter 8.64 — O, OFFICE DISTRICTS
    19. Chapter 8.68 — C1, NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICTS
    20. Chapter 8.70 — C1/NFO DISTRICT, NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT…
    21. Chapter 8.72 — C1/WMP District (NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL/WEST M…
    22. Chapter 8.76 — C2, GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
    23. Chapter 8.78 — C2, GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS NORTH FAIR OAKS
    24. Chapter 8.82 — CCR, (COASTSIDE COMMERCIAL RECREATION DISTRICT)
    25. Chapter 8.86 — M1 (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS)
    26. Chapter 8.88 — M1/NFO DISTRICT (MIXED-USE INDUSTRIAL/NORTH FAI…
    27. Chapter 8.90 — M1/EDISON/NFO” DISTRICT (MIXED-USE INDUSTRIAL/E…
    28. Chapter 8.94 — M2, HEAVY INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
    29. Chapter 8.98 — W, WATERFRONT DISTRICT
    30. Chapter 8.102 — I/NFO, INSTITUTIONAL/NORTH FAIR OAKS DISTRICT
    31. Chapter 8.106 — PAD DISTRICT, PLANNED AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
    32. Chapter 8.110 — RH, RESIDENTIAL HILLSIDE DISTRICT
    33. Chapter 8.114 — PC DISTRICT (PLANNED COLMA DISTRICT)
    34. Chapter 8.118 — CMU-1 DISTRICT (COMMERCIAL MIXED USE-1 DISTRIC…
    35. Chapter 8.122 — CMU-2 DISTRICT (COMMERCIAL MIXED USE-2 DISTRIC…
    36. Chapter 8.126 — CMU-3 DISTRICT (COMMERCIAL MIXED USE-3 DISTRIC…
    37. Chapter 8.130 — NMU DISTRICT (NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED-USE DISTRICT,…
    38. Chapter 8.132 — NMU-ECR DISTRICT (NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED USE DISTR…
    39. Chapter 8.134 — RM DISTRICT (RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)
    40. Chapter 8.138 — RM-CZ DISTRICT (RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT- …
    41. Chapter 8.142 — TPZ, TIMBERLAND PRESERVE ZONE
    42. Chapter 8.146 — TPZ-CZ, TIMBERLAND PRESERVE ZONE, COASTAL ZONE
    43. Chapter 8.150 — “S” DISTRICTS 1 to 13 (COMBINING DISTRICTS 1-13)
    44. Chapter 8.154 — S17 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, MIDCOAST)
    45. Chapter 8.158 — S50 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, NORTH FAIR O…
    46. Chapter 8.162 — S71 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, DEVONSHIRE)
    47. Chapter 8.166 — S72 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, WEST MENLO P…
    48. Chapter 8.170 — S73 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, NORTH FAIR O…
    49. Chapter 8.174 — S74 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, SELBY NEIGHB…
    50. Chapter 8.178 — S75 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, WEEKEND ACRES)
    51. Chapter 8.182 — S81 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, SAN MATEO HI…
    52. Chapter 8.186 — S82 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, WEST MENLO P…
    53. Chapter 8.190 — S83 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LOS TRANCOS …
    54. Chapter 8.194 — S90 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, MENLO OAKS)
    55. Chapter 8.198 — S91 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, PALOMAR PARK)
    56. Chapter 8.202 — S92 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, WEST MENLO P…
    57. Chapter 8.204 — S93 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, NORTH FAIR O…
    58. Chapter 8.212 — S95 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LADERA)
    59. Chapter 8.216 — S100 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, MENLO OAKS)
    60. Chapter 8.220 — S101 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, PALOMAR PARK)
    61. Chapter 8.224 — S102 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, DEVONSHIRE)
    62. Chapter 8.228 — S104 DISTRICT (COMBINING DIESTRICT, LADERA)
    63. Chapter 8.232 — S105 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, MIDCOAST)
    64. Chapter 8.236 — S106 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LADERA)
    65. Chapter 8.240 — S108 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LOS TRANCOS…
    66. Chapter 8.244 — S110 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LADERA)
    67. Chapter 8.248 — AO DISTRICT (AIRPORT OVERLAY DISTRICT)
    68. Chapter 8.252 — CD DISTRICT (COASTAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT)
    69. Chapter 8.256 — DR DISTRICTS (DESIGN REVIEW DISTRICTS)
    70. Chapter 8.260 — MH DISTRICTS (MOBILE HOME PARKS)
    71. Chapter 8.264 — GH DISTRICT (GEOLOGIC HAZARDS DISTRICT REGULAT…
    72. Chapter 8.272 — E DISTRICT (ENTERTAINMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT)
    73. Chapter 8.276 — APPROVED SS & PUD DISTRICT REGULATIONS (SPECIA…
    74. Chapter 8.280 — USE PERMITS.
    75. Chapter 8.284 — LEGAL LOT REQUIREMENT, ZONING & BUILDING VIOLA…
    76. Chapter 8.288 — MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PRE-APPLICATION PROCEDURES.
    77. Chapter 8.292 — RM DEVELOPMENT REVIEW CRITERIA
    78. Chapter 8.294 — RM-CZ DEVELOPMENT REVIEW CRITERIA
    79. Chapter 8.296 — DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCEDURE
    80. Chapter 8.300 — FLOOD HAZARD AREAS
    81. Chapter 8.304 — ARCHITECTURAL SUPERVISION
    82. Chapter 8.308 — NORTH FAIR OAKS DESIGN REVIEW AND SITE DEVELOP…
    83. Chapter 8.312 — ZONING, REZONING, LAND DIVISION, IN THE TIMBER…
    84. Chapter 8.314 — LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING REQUIREMENTS FOR USES…
    85. Chapter 8.316 — ZONING, REZONING, LAND DIVISION IN THE TIMBERL…
    86. Chapter 8.318 — LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING REQUIREMENTS FOR USES…
    87. Chapter 8.320 — VARIANCES AND HOME IMPROVEMENT EXCEPTIONS
    88. Chapter 8.324 — ACCESSORY USES PERMITTED IN ANY “R” DISTRICT.
    89. Chapter 8.328 — STANDARDS FOR INDUSTRIAL USES IN THE C-1,C-2,M…
    90. Chapter 8.332 — FENCES, HEDGES, WALLS, HEIGHT & EXCEPTIONS
    91. Chapter 8.336 — HEIGHT: GENERAL PROVISIONS AND EXCEPTIONS.
    92. Chapter 8.340 — YARDS: GENERAL PROVISIONS AND EXCEPTIONS
    93. Chapter 8.344 — OFF-STREET PARKING STANDARDS
    94. Chapter 8.348 — ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
    95. Chapter 8.352 — SPECIAL SETBACK LINES
    96. Chapter 8.356 — HEIGHT OF STRUCTURES AND USES OF AIRSPACE NEAR…
    97. Chapter 8.358 — HEIGHT OF STRUCTURES AND USE AIRSPACE NEAR SAN…
    98. Chapter 8.360 — DEVELOPMENT ON LANDS CONTIGUOUS TO RM, RM-CZ, …
    99. Chapter 8.364 — ROAD IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS IN THE SKYLINE A…
    100. Chapter 8.368 — SHORT-TERM RENTALS (COASTAL ZONE)
    101. Chapter 8.372 — CHILD CARE CENTERS
    102. Chapter 8.376 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES
    103. Chapter 8.380 — KEEPING OF ANIMALS & DOMESTIC POULTRY IN
    104. Chapter 8.384 — CONFINED ANIMAL REGULATIONS
    105. Chapter 8.388 — ZONING NONCONFORMITIES
    106. Chapter 8.392 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
    107. Chapter 8.396 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, COASTAL ZONE
    108. Chapter 8.400 — SIGNIFICANT TREE REGULATIONS
    109. Chapter 8.404 — HERITAGE TREE REGULATIONS
    110. Chapter 8.408 — REGULATION OF TIMBER HARVESTING
    111. Chapter 8.412 — TOPSOIL SITE REGULATIONS
    112. Chapter 8.416 — SURFACE MINING AND RECLAMATION
    113. Chapter 8.420 — QUARRIES
    114. Chapter 8.424 — OIL AND GAS WELL REGULATIONS
    115. Chapter 8.428 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION PERMITS AND PROCEDURES.
    116. Chapter 8.432 — INCLUSIONARY REQUIREMENTS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    117. Chapter 8.436 — DENSITY BONUS
    118. Chapter 8.440 — ESTABLISHMENT OF FEES
    119. Chapter 8.444 — AMENDMENTS
    120. Chapter 8.448 — FORM OF PETITION, APPLICATIONS, AND APPEALS.
    121. Chapter 8.452 — ENFORCEMENT, LEGAL PROCEDURES, PENALTIES.

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