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Title 27 — ZONING

Chapter 27.24 — R4 DISTRICT—MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (HIGH DENSITY)

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

27.24.010 PERMITTED USES.

Use of buildings or land in this district and buildings hereafter erected, structurally altered or enlarged, shall be limited to the following:

  • (a) Any use permitted in the R1, R2, or R3 districts;

  • (b) Single Room Occupancy Units;

(c) Accessory uses which are necessary to the above-mentioned buildings and uses.

27.24.020 SPECIAL USES.

Unless otherwise provided the following uses may be permitted subject to the approval of a special use permit by the Planning Commission:

  • (a) Any special use permitted in the R3 district;

  • (b) Boarding and lodging houses;

(c) Private clubs, lodges, and fraternal organizations including the serving of food and beverages to members and their guests, and including such other facilities customarily provided for the comfort and convenience of the membership.

  • (d) Fraternity and sorority houses;

  • (e) Hospitals and sanitariums, but not including animal hospitals;

(f) Philanthropic or eleemosynary uses or institutions, provided that not more than twenty percent (20%) of the gross floor area or two thousand (2,000) square feet, whichever is greater, shall be used as office space.

(g) Hotels/motels on existing motel sites along North Bayshore Boulevard from East Popular Avenue to Cypress Avenue.

(Ord. No. 1999-18 § 1; Ord. No. 1992-15 § 15; Ord. No. 1991-18 § 10; Ord. No. 1985-3 § 3; Ord. No. 1982-22 § 28; prior code § 146.05(B).)

Cross References

Section 8.02.490(b)(4)

27.24.030 OFF-STREET PARKING.

Off-street parking facilities shall be provided as required in the off-street parking code (Chapter 27.64).

27.24.040 MINIMUM DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.

(a) Every dwelling hereafter erected or structurally altered to create one or more additional dwelling units shall be on a parcel having the following minimum development standards:

Minimum Parcel Area (Square Feet) Minimum Parcel Width (Lineal Feet) Minimum Parcel Area/D.U. (Square Feet)
4,000* 40* 2,200*
5,000 50 2,500
8,000 65 2,000
10,000 80 1,000
15,000 100 870
*** These standards are permitted only if a** parcel is lying northeasterly of El Camino Real and was recorded prior to March 3, 1947.

(b) A larger minimum parcel for special uses shall be required by the Planning Commission upon a finding that the minimum parcel does not adequately accommodate the proposed special use.

(Ord. No. 1992-2 § 3; Ord. No. 1991-18 § 11; Ord. No. 1985-3 § 3; Ord. No. 1979-1 § 12; prior code § 146.05(D).)

Cross References

Section 27.29.106(a)(1)

Section 27.32.010(n)

27.24.050 MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA RATIO.

The floor area ratio of buildings and structures on a parcel in this district shall not exceed 1.5, except that the zoning administrator may grant permission to exceed the above maximum floor area ratio, using the procedures outlined for special uses as provided in this title, if the additional floor area will:

(1) Not exceed a floor area ratio of 2.0,

(2)(A) Be equal to the additional floor area that is required to cover any parking space that is not otherwise required to be covered by provisions of this title, or

  • (B) Is necessary to cover any required turnaround area for required parking, and

(C) Increase the livability by providing more usable yard area than could be provided without the permitted increase in floor area.

27.24.055 BUILDING HEIGHT.

Building height shall not exceed the standards set forth on the Building Height Plan of the General Plan.

27.24.060 YARD AREAS.

Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the regulations in the R3 district shall apply.

27.24.070 DWELLING STANDARDS.

Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the regulations in the R3 district shall apply.

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Contents — San Mateo Zoning Code
San Mateo Zoning Code
  1. Title 27 — ZONING
    Overview
    1. Chapter 27.02 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    2. Chapter 27.04 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Chapter 27.06 — ADMINISTRATION
    4. Chapter 27.08 — RULES OF PROCEDURE
    5. Chapter 27.10 — REVIEW PROCEDURE
    6. Chapter 27.12 — FEES
    7. Chapter 27.13 — TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT FEE
    8. Chapter 27.14 — REDEVELOPMENT
    9. Chapter 27.15 — DENSITY BONUS
    10. Chapter 27.16 — RESIDENCE DISTRICTS
    11. Chapter 27.18 — R1 DISTRICTS
    12. Chapter 27.19 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY …
    13. Chapter 27.21 — TWO-UNIT
    14. Chapter 27.24 — R4 DISTRICT—MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (HIGH DE…
    15. Chapter 27.26 — R5 DISTRICT—MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (HIGH DE…
    16. Chapter 27.27 — RESIDENTIAL
    17. Chapter 27.28 — DOWNTOWN
    18. Chapter 27.29 — RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY DISTRICT—MIXED USE
    19. Chapter 27.30 — C1 DISTRICTS— NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL
    20. Chapter 27.32 — C2 DISTRICTS—
    21. Chapter 27.34 — C3 DISTRICTS—
    22. Chapter 27.36 — C4 DISTRICTS
    23. Chapter 27.38 — CBD DISTRICTS— CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
    24. Chapter 27.39 — CBD SUPPORT DISTRICT— CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRIC…
    25. Chapter 27.40 — BUILDING HEIGHT AND BULK
    26. Chapter 27.44 — E1 DISTRICTS—EXECUTIVE PARK
    27. Chapter 27.48 — E2 DISTRICTS —EXECUTIVE OFFICES
    28. Chapter 27.54 — MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS
    29. Chapter 27.56 — M1 DISTRICTS
    30. Chapter 27.59 — S DISTRICTS
    31. Chapter 27.60 — SPECIAL DISTRICTS
    32. Chapter 27.61 — SC DISTRICTS—SENIOR CITIZEN OVERLAY DISTRICT—S…
    33. Chapter 27.62 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS —SPECIAL USE PERMITS
    34. Chapter 27.63 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES
    35. Chapter 27.64 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
    36. Chapter 27.65 — AMUSEMENT ARCADES AND MACHINES
    37. Chapter 27.66 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
    38. Chapter 27.67 — OPEN AIR VENDORS
    39. Chapter 27.68 — MAINTENANCE OF PROJECT SITE
    40. Chapter 27.69 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
    41. Chapter 27.70 — ACCESSORY BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES IN REQUIRED…
    42. Chapter 27.72 — NONCONFORMING BUILDINGS AND USES
    43. Chapter 27.73 — TC DISTRICT—
    44. Chapter 27.74 — SPECIAL USE PERMITS
    45. Chapter 27.75 — MIXED USE CONVENIENCE MARKET/AUTOMOBILE SERVIC…
    46. Chapter 27.76 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
    47. Chapter 27.77 — DESIGN REVIEW STANDARDS FOR SERVICE STATIONS
    48. Chapter 27.78 — VARIANCES
    49. Chapter 27.79 — REASONABLE
    50. Chapter 27.80 — AMENDMENTS
    51. Chapter 27.82 — MAPS—BOUNDARY LINES
    52. Chapter 27.83 — SLOPE AND HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    53. Chapter 27.84 — FENCES, TREES AND HEDGES
    54. Chapter 27.85 — DAY CARE CENTERS
    55. Chapter 27.86 — RECYCLING COLLECTION AREAS
    56. Chapter 27.87 — OUTDOOR RESTAURANT SEATING AND MERCHANDISE DIS…
    57. Chapter 27.88 — BAY MEADOWS SPECIFIC PLAN
    58. Chapter 27.90 — TOD DISTRICT— TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
    59. Chapter 27.92 — HILLSDALE STATION AREA PLAN
    60. Chapter 27.94 — HOUSING

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