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Title 27 — ZONING

Chapter 27.26 — R5 DISTRICT—MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (HIGH DENSITY)

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

27.26.010 PERMITTED USES.

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

  • (a) Any use permitted in the R1, R2, R3 or R4 districts;

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

27.26.020 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 R4 district;

(b) Apartment hotels;

(c) Floor area ratios exceeding 2.0 to a maximum of 3.0.

27.26.030 OFF-STREET PARKING.

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

27.26.040 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 the 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.

27.26.050 MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA RATIO.

The floor area ratio of buildings and structures on a zoning plot in this district shall not exceed 2.0 except that the Planning Commission may grant higher floor area ratios for residential high-rise buildings as special uses, but in no case shall the floor area ratio exceed 3.0.

27.26.055 BUILDING HEIGHT.

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

27.26.060 YARD AREAS.

The same regulations shall apply as required in the R3 district.

27.26.070 DWELLING STANDARDS.

The same regulations shall apply as required in the R3 district.

27.26.080 DEVELOPMENT BONUSES FOR RESIDENTIAL HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS.

The planning commission may grant floor area bonuses for the provision of open space in R5 developments if such open space is provided for recreational purposes and is intended to meet the needs of the inhabitants. In determining the suitability of the proposed open space, the following shall be considered:

  • (1) The park and recreation element of the general plan;

  • (2) The composition of the anticipated population of the development;

(3) Such other factors and considerations which bear a reasonable relationship to the need for open space.

The open space and recreation facilities will be analyzed as part of the required site plan and architectural review (SPAR) and may be granted a bonus by recommendation of the approval body if these facilities are found to meet the recreational needs of the project residents as being adequate in size and number.

To earn a floor area bonus for any project feature, a development must earn a bonus from each of the three categories below in this section. In order to earn any bonus provision, a development must include increased natural landscaping. However, not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of natural landscaping in pots or planters shall be counted for the purpose of determining the amount of any floor area bonus.

Open space and recreation facilities may be located in required yards under the conditions provided in the open space bonus standards.

The following project features may qualify for floor area ratio bonuses when the criteria are met:

(1) Outdoor Open Space. Open space bonuses may be granted for provision of natural landscaping, court games and field sports areas as follows:

(a) Each two percent (2%) of net parcel area devoted to natural landscaping or water features may be granted a floor area ratio bonus of 0.1, up to a maximum of 0.8. In order to qualify for a bonus, the natural landscaping or water feature must be provided in addition to the required yards and be open to the sky. The minimum bonus required is 0.35.

(b) For each court game a floor area ratio bonus of 0.05 may be granted, up to a maximum of 0.1.

(c) For each open field sports area, a floor area bonus of 0.05 may be granted, up to a maximum of 0.1.

The maximum bonus floor area ratio granted for the provision of exterior open spaces is 1.0.

(2) Indoor Recreation Space. Open space bonuses may be granted for provision of recreation room, as follows:

For each five-hundred (500) square-foot unit of recreation room floor area, a ratio bonus of 0.05 will be granted to a maximum of 0.2.

The maximum bonus floor area ratio for interior open space is 0.2.

(3) Open Space and Recreation Special Features. Open space bonuses may be granted for provision of special activity facilities, plazas, and swimming pools as follows:

(a) For each exterior special interest activity area, a floor area bonus of 0.05 may be granted, up to a maximum of 0.1.

(b) For each exterior plaza area, a floor area bonus of 0.05 may be granted, up to a maximum of 0.1.

(c) For an indoor or outdoor swimming pool, a floor area bonus of 0.15 may be granted. For an indoor or outdoor spa, a floor area bonus of 0.05 may be granted.

The maximum bonus for swimming pool facilities is 0.2.

The maximum bonus for floor area ratio granted for the provision of open space and recreation special features is 0.3.

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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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