Title 8 — ZONING & DEVELOPMENT CODE
Chapter 8.52 — EG, EL GRANADA GATEWAY DISTRICT
San Mateo County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · San Mateo County
8.52.010 - Regulations for “EG” District. ¶
The following regulations shall apply in the El Granada Gateway (EG) District.
8.52.020 - Purpose. ¶
The purpose of the “EG” District is to provide for low intensity development at the “Burnham Strip” in El Granada, which preserves, to the greatest degree possible, the visual and open space characteristics of this property.
8.52.030 - Definitions. ¶
1. Community Centers
Facilities used by local citizens for civic activities, performances, presentations or other purposes.
2. Interpretive Centers
Facilities used for the education of the public with respect to natural, historical and cultural environments and legacies.
3. Libraries
Facilities used for storage, exhibition and lending of various media including, but not limited to, books, periodicals, documents, audio and videotapes and visual art.
4. Linear Parks and Trails
Linear strips of land established for the purposes of walking, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding and boating, and comprising a natural or manmade linear resource such as stream drainage, bluff line, ridge, utility right-of-way, or service road.
5. Open Field Cultivation of Plants and Flowers for Ornamental Purposes
The cultivation, sale and distribution of seeds, flowers, plants, and/or trees of ornamental value that are grown in or on an open field, i.e., uncovered by any structure, such as a greenhouse.
6. Outdoor Art Centers
Outdoor facilities for the exhibition, study or creation of works of artistic value.
7. Outdoor Athletic Facilities
Outdoor facilities, associated grounds and accessory structures used for active recreation, including swimming pools, tennis courts, playing fields or similar uses.
8. Outdoor Recreation Areas
Outdoor areas used for a variety of outdoor recreational purposes, including areas that will provide for public use of natural and manmade water features, as well as for special recreation activities.
9. Parks
Areas of scenic and natural character where outdoor recreation opportunities and facilities may be provided for public convenience and enjoyment, and within which interpretive exhibits can be established.
10. Temporary Outdoor Performing Arts Centers
Outdoor areas used temporarily for the presentation of live musical, dance, dramatic or other artistic performances, involving portable facilities and equipment, e.g., movable stage sets, and seating.
11. Temporary Outdoor Sales
Outdoor areas used temporarily by multiple small commercial establishments which serve the general public, typically from portable stalls, in the outdoor sales of food, arts and crafts, or used manufactured goods, e.g., farmers markets, flea markets, art shows, and food and wine tastings.
12. Temporary Outdoor Showgrounds and Exhibition Facilities
Outdoor areas used temporarily for a variety of showground and exhibition activities, including rodeos, fairs, carnivals, and traveling shows, involving portable facilities and equipment.
- Temporary Urban Roadside Stands
Temporary structures in urban areas of portable construction used for the sale of produce and other goods and merchandise.
- Vegetative Stormwater Treatment Systems and Underground Storage Facilities
- The installation of:
a. Ground level vegetation devices to filter, reduce the velocity of, and/or absorb stormwater flow from off-site sources including, but not limited to the use of bio-filters, vegetated buffer strips and engineered wetlands, and/or
- b. Underground storage or detention facilities for stormwater from off-site sources.
8.52.040 - Uses Permitted. ¶
The following uses are permitted in the “EG” District subject to the issuance of a use permit, as provided in Chapter 8.280 of Title 8.
Community Centers
Interpretive Centers
Libraries
Linear Parks and Trails
Open Field Cultivation of Plants and Flowers for Ornamental Purposes
Outdoor Art Centers
Outdoor Athletic Facilities
Outdoor Recreation Areas
Parks
Temporary Outdoor Performing Arts Centers
Temporary Outdoor Sales
Temporary Outdoor Showgrounds and Exhibition Facilities
Urban Roadside Stands
Vegetative Stormwater Treatment Systems and Underground Storage Facilities
Public Parking for Surfer’s Beach
Public Restrooms and Showers
Public Pedestrian Trails and Bicycle Trails
Realignment of Highway 1
8.52.050 Development Criteria and Standards. ¶
All new development must meet the following minimum standards:
Minimum Parcel Area: 3.5 acres.
Maximum Building Height: 16 feet.
3. Minimum Building Setbacks:
Front Setback Side Setback Rear Setback 50 feet 20 feet 20 feet
Maximum Parcel Coverage: Ten percent (10%) parcel size.
- Maximum parcel coverage shall include all structures that are 18 inches or more above the ground.
5. Impervious Surface Area
The amount of parcel area covered by impervious structures less than eighteen inches (18”) in height is limited to ten percent (10%) parcel size. The runoff equivalent of 10% (parcel size) could be achieved by directing runoff to on-site porous areas or through the use of detention basins. Impervious structures include, but are not limited to, non-porous driveways, decks, patios, walkways and swimming pools.
An exception to the limit may be granted by the Director of Planning and Building upon finding that off-site project drainage, i.e., runoff, will not exceed that amount equivalent to 10% (parcel size). The applicant shall submit a professionally prepared site plan showing topography, drainage and calculations which demonstrates this finding can be made.
6. Landscaping
All building and structures shall be screened with sufficient landscaping to obscure and soften their appearance when viewed from Highway 1. All landscaping shall be drought-tolerant, and either native or non-invasive plant species. No plant species listed as problematic and/or invasive by the California Native Plant Society, the California Invasive Plant Council, or as may be identified from time to time by the State of California shall be employed. No plant species listed as “noxious weed” by the State of California or the U.S. Government shall be utilized within the property.
7. Signs
a. Prohibited Signs:
(1) Signs having animated, moving, rotating, inflatable, or flashing parts.
(2) Signs emitting intense and highly focused light, including beacons.
(3) Off-premises signs, including billboards.
b. Number of Signs: One per use or establishment.
c. Maximum Sign Display Area: 20 sq. ft. on each sign face.
8. Winter Grading
Development related grading, e.g., site preparation, shall not occur between October 15 and April 15 in any given year unless the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning and Building and Building Official that the development site will be effectively contained to prevent erosion and sedimentation, and that such site containment has been established and is ongoing. Site containment shall include, but not be limited to, covering stored equipment and materials, stabilizing site entrances and exposed slopes, containing or reducing runoff, and protecting drain inlets.
9. Traffic Control
In addition to all other applicable policies of the LCP, all development that generates traffic demand, including temporary uses, shall comply with LCP Policies 2.57.1 and 2.57.2.
(Prior Code § 6229.0-6229.4; Ord 4561 – 05/24/11)