Title 27 — ZONING

Chapter 27.34 — C3 DISTRICTS—

San Mateo Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · 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.