Title 8 — ZONING & DEVELOPMENT CODE

Chapter 8.48 — COSC, COMMUNITY OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION DISTRICT

San Mateo County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · San Mateo County

8.48.010 Regulations For “COSC” District.

The following regulations shall apply in all “COSC” Districts and shall be subject to all applicable provisions of Article 2 (Development Procedures) and Article 3 (General Development Standards) of Title 8.

(Prior Code § 6225, 6226, 6227, 6228; Ord 2701 – 12/16/80)

8.48.020 Purpose.

The purpose of the “COSC” District is to protect areas designated for general open space in adopted Community Plans by providing for planned low intensity development which preserves, to the greatest degree possible, the visual and open characteristics of the land.

(Prior Code § 6225, 6226, 6227, 6228; Ord 2701 – 12/16/80)

8.48.030 Uses Permitted.

  • (a) The following uses shall be permitted in the Community Open Space Conservation District:
  1. Agricultural Uses and Accessory Structures: On-Site Sales of Agricultural Products, including but not limited to the following:

    • a. Flowering crops

    • b. Vegetable crops

    • c. Truck gardening

    • d. Community gardens

    • e. Christmas tree farms

    1. Public Recreation Facilities, including but not limited to the following uses:

      • a. Parks

      • b. Playfields

      • c. Tot lots

  • (b) The following uses shall be permitted in the Community Open Space Conservation District subject to the securing of a use permit in each case:

    1. Nurseries

    2. Livestock and grazing

    3. Commercial Recreation Facilities, including but not limited to the following uses:

      • a. Keeping of confined animals

      • b. Golf courses

      • c. Driving ranges

      • d. Campgrounds (non-vehicular)

      • e. Swimming pools

      • f. Athletic or sports clubs and facilities

    4. Institutional Facilities, including but not limited to the following:

      • a. Community centers

      • b. Interpretive centers

  1. One single-family residence per parcel less than 40 acres in size, including accessory buildings and uses. Animal fanciers are also allowed in association with a single-family residence, subject to an animal fanciers’ permit. The

Director of Planning and Building may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt accessory buildings and uses and animal fanciers from the use permit requirement.

  1. Division of land, except that no residential uses shall be permitted on a parcel recorded after December 1, 1981.

(Prior Code § 6225, 6226, 6227, 6228; Ord 2701 – 12/16/80)

8.48.040 Development Standards.

  • (a) Minimum building site: 2 acres

  • (b) Maximum height permitted: One-story not to exceed 16 feet in height

  • (c) Maximum lot coverage permitted: 10%

  • (d) Minimum yards required:

    1. Front and rear: 50 feet

    2. Sides: 20 feet each side

  • (e) Signs: Exterior advertising shall be prohibited. One non-illuminated identification sign not to exceed 20 square feet on each face shall be permitted.

  • (f) Design Review: All structures in this district shall be subject to architectural and site review by the Planning Commission as a portion of the use permit process to ensure that the architectural and site design is compatible with its environmental setting. Design guidelines set forth in the Community Design Manual and the Local Coastal Program (for areas in the Coastal Zone) shall be employed by the Planning Commission in the design review process.

(Prior Code § 6225, 6226, 6227, 6228; Ord 2701 – 12/16/80)

(Prior Code § 6227(b); Ord 2774 – 04/06/82)

(Prior Code § 6227(b); Ord 3432 – 11/10/92)

(Prior Code § 6227(b)(3)(a); Ord 4075 – 03/20/02)

(Prior Code § 6227(b)(4)(b); Ord 4844 – 05/04/21)