Chapter 8.336 — HEIGHT: GENERAL PROVISIONS AND EXCEPTIONS.

San Mateo County, California, Code of Ordinances Title 8 – Zoning & Development Code

Public and semi-public buildings, schools, churches, hospitals and other institutions may be erected to a height not exceeding seventy-five (75) feet provided that the front, rear and side yards shall be increased one (1) foot for each one (1) foot which such building exceeds the height limit hereinbefore established for the district in which they are located.

Where the average slope of a lot is greater than a one (1) foot rise or fall in seven (7) feet distance from the established street grade at the front lot line, one (1) story in addition to the number permitted in the district in which said lot is situated shall be permitted on the downhill side of any building; provided that the height of the building shall not be increased above the limit specified for such district.

Upon the securing of a use permit, as provided in Chapter 8.280 of Title 8, any building may be erected to a height exceeding that hereinbefore specified, provided that the total floor area of such building shall not exceed that possible for a building in such respective district erected within the height limit hereinbefore specified for such district.

Upon the securing of a use permit as provided in Chapter 8.280 of Title 8, towers, radio towers, television towers, gables, spires, penthouses, scenery lofts, cupolas, water towers and tanks and similar structures and necessary mechanical appurtenances may be built and used to a greater height than the limit established for the district in which the building or structure is located; provided that no such exception shall cover, at any level, more than fifteen (15) percent in area of the lot nor have an area at the base greater than sixteen hundred (1,600) square feet; provided, further, that no tower, gable, spire, or similar structure shall be used for sleeping or eating quarters or for any commercial purpose other than such as may be incidental to the permitted uses of the main building; and provided, further, that no building or structure in any district except an “A-1,” “A-2,” or “M-2” District shall ever exceed a maximum height of one hundred fifty (150) feet.

In any “A” (Agricultural) District, well derricks, windmills, and tank houses may be constructed to a height of not to exceed sixty (60) feet; provided, however, that temporary oil well derricks may exceed these height limitations.

(Prior § 6405.1; Ord. 1483, 12/10/1961 - Effective in the Coastal Zone, 01/13/2001)