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Title 27 — ZONING

Chapter 27.34 — C3 DISTRICTS—

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

27.34.005 PURPOSE.

The Regional/Community Commercial District is intended to create and maintain major commercial centers accommodating a broad range of office, retail, and service uses of community-wide or regional significance. The C3 District differs from the C2 District in that a broader range of uses are allowed in the C3 District.

27.34.010 PERMITTED USES.

The following uses are permitted:

(a) Permitted uses in the C1 and C2 districts provided that residential uses are subject to R4 district "Minimum Development Standards" in Chapter 27.24 and affordable housing requirements as adopted by City Council resolution, except as otherwise specified in Chapter 27.29;

(b) Ambulance service;

(c) Automobile, boat, and truck sales and rental, including service and repair as accessory to the primary sales use, sales may occur on open lot;

(d) Automobile service, parts, and repairs, classified as minor motor vehicle repair in Section 27.04.325;

  • (e) Car wash and detailing facilities, may not occur on open lot;

(f) Laboratories, research, experimental, and testing, provided no production or

manufacturing of products occurs on the premises;

  • (g) Accessory uses to principle uses permitted; and

  • (h) Other compatible uses as determined by the Zoning Administrator.

27.34.020 SPECIAL USES.

The following uses may also be permitted, subject to approval of a special use permit:

  • (a) Special uses permitted in the C1 and C2 districts;

  • (b) Auditorium, stadium, arena, armory, gymnasium, and other similar uses for public events;

  • (c) Restaurants, with drive-thru facilities; and

(d) Other compatible uses as determined by the Zoning Administrator subject to the granting of a special permit.

27.34.030 CONDITIONS OF USE.

All uses permitted in this district shall be retail or service establishments dealing directly with consumers and shall be subject to the following conditions:

(a) That there shall be no manufacturing, processing or treatment of products other than those which are clearly incidental and essential to the retail business conducted on the same premises;

(b) That all permitted uses in this district be conducted without objection from adjoining users due to odor, dust, smoke, noise, vibration, or other similar cause;

(c) That any exterior sign displayed shall pertain only to a use conducted within the building;

(d) All uses permitted under this chapter shall be conducted wholly within an enclosed building, except as may be specifically authorized by special permit.

27.34.040 OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING.

Automobile parking and loading facilities shall be provided as required or permitted in Chapter 27.64.

27.34.050 MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA RATIO.

The floor area ratio of all buildings and structures on a zoning plot shall be as follows:

  • (a) In a C3-1 district, the floor area ratio shall not exceed 1.0;

  • (b) In a C3-2 district, the floor area ratio shall not exceed 2.0.

27.34.055 BUILDING HEIGHT.

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

27.34.060 BUFFERS.

The regulations governing buffers in the C1 districts shall also apply in the C3 districts.

27.34.070 SETBACK AND BUILD-TOLINE STANDARDS FOR EL CAMINO REAL.

The regulations governing setback and build-to-line standards for El Camino Real in the C1 districts 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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