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Title 27 — ZONING

Chapter 27.29 — RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY DISTRICT—MIXED USE

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

27.29.100 PURPOSE.

The Residential Overlay District is established to encourage residential development as part of a mixed use development. New residential development is encouraged both to meet housing needs and to provide support for the growth of local businesses.

27.29.102 LANDS SUBJECT TO RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY CLASSIFICATION.

The /R, /R4, and /R5 classifications may be superimposed only on those lands classified E or C (except C4).

27.29.103 R6-D STANDARDS.

Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, when any /R property is developed in conjunction with an abutting R6-D, all requirements of the R6-D zone shall apply.

27.29.104 CONDITIONS OF USE.

In this overlay district, residential use may be permitted as either a principal use or as part of a mixed use project, provided that in C zones within the area encompassed by the Downtown Specific Plan, residential uses shall be permitted only above the first floor level.

27.29.106 DENSITY.

(a) The maximum allowed density shall be as follows:

(1) In /R4 districts, the development standards in Section 27.24.040 shall apply;

(2) In /R5 districts, residential development shall not exceed 50 units per acre, regardless of parcel size;

(3) In /R districts, the following minimum development standards shall apply:

(A) For parcels located within the Downtown Specific Plan area, residential development shall not exceed 50 units per acre, regardless of parcel size. Densities above 50 units per acre are permitted only where specific criteria are met as stated in the General Plan Land Use Element.

(B) For parcels located outside the Downtown Specific Plan Area, the following minimum standards shall apply:

Minimum Parcel Area (Square Feet) Minimum Parcel Width (Lineal Feet) Minimum Parcel Area/D.U. (Square Feet) 4,000* 40* 2,200* * These standards are permitted only if a parcel is lying northeasterly of El Camino Real and was recorded prior to March 3, 1947.

** Densities above 50 units per acre are permitted only where specific criteria are met as stated in the General Plan Land Use Element.

Minimum Parcel Area (Square Feet) Minimum Parcel Width (Lineal Feet) Minimum Parcel Area/D.U. (Square Feet)
5,000 50 2,500
8,000 65 2,000
10,000 80 1,000
15,000 100 870
20,000 100 582**
* These standards are permitted only if a parcel is lying northeasterly of El Camino Real and was recorded prior to March 3, 1947.
** Densities above 50 units per acre are permitted only where specific criteria are met as stated in the General Plan Land Use Element.

(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.

27.29.108 MAXIMUM COVERAGE OF PARCELS.

Maximum parcel coverage shall not exceed the standards of the underlying zoning district.

27.29.110 MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA RATIO.

Residential development may exceed the floor area ratio of the underlying district provided that the maximum floor area ratio, including the residential overlay, shall not exceed the following:

  • (a) In /R4 districts, the maximum floor area ratio shall not exceed 2.0;

  • (b) In /R5 districts, the maximum floor area ratio shall not exceed 3.0;

(c) In /R districts, the maximum floor area ratio shall not exceed the standards of the underlying zoning district or floor area ratio range of the residential overlay district as delineated on the Building Intensity Plan of the General Plan.

27.29.112 MAXIMUM HEIGHT AND BULK.

Maximum height and bulk standards shall be as follows:

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

(b) For parcels located within the area encompassed by the Downtown Specific Plan, the bulk of all buildings shall not exceed the standards set forth in Chapter 27.40 Building Height and Bulk District for Downtown.

27.29.114 USEABLE OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS.

Section 27.28.062, Subsection (b) in the R5-D district shall apply.

27.29.116 SETBACKS AND YARDS.

For mixed use projects, yard or setback requirements of the underlying zone shall apply. For projects involving only residential use, the following requirements shall apply:

  • (a) In /R, /R4 and /R5 districts, the setback requirements in the R3 district shall apply;

  • (b) In CBD/R districts, the setback requirements in the CBD district shall apply.

27.29.118 THIRD AND FOURTH AVENUE SETBACK REQUIREMENTS.

A landscape buffer of at least 20 feet and not more than 25 feet shall be provided along Third and Fourth Avenues from U.S. 101 to South Delaware Street. Only paving required for vehicular and pedestrian entrances shall be permitted; no parking shall be permitted in the setback. The building line shall commence at a distance of not more than 25 feet from the property line along 3rd and/or 4th Avenues.

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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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