Chapter 27.36 — C4 DISTRICTS
San Mateo Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Mateo
27.36.005 PURPOSE. ¶
The purpose of the service commercial district is to create and maintain a broad range of citywide and regional service uses including major automobile and truck repair, construction
materials yards, and limited processing of materials.
27.36.010 PERMITTED USES. ¶
The following uses are permitted:
(a) Permitted uses in the C1, C2, and C3 districts, except that residential uses, low barrier navigation centers, office uses on the properties along Palm Avenue between Twentieth and Twenty-fifth Avenues, and emergency shelters are prohibited;
27.36.020 SPECIAL USES. ¶
The following uses may also be permitted if their site locations and proposed development plans are first approved as provided in Chapters 27.06 through 27.12, 27.62, 27.74, 27.78 and 27.80:
(a) Any of the special uses permitted in the C1, C2 or C3 districts, except that residential uses and secondary units are prohibited;
(b) Fuel bulk station (flammable liquids) subject to the regulations of Chapter 23.28;
(c) Storage of impounded motor vehicles on an open lot.
27.36.030 CONDITIONS OF USE. ¶
Permitted uses and special uses in the C4 districts are subject to the following conditions:
(a) All activities involving the production, processing, cleaning, servicing, testing or repair of materials, goods or products shall conform with the performance standards established for the M1 district in Chapter 27.56;
(b) All production, processing, assembly, cleaning, servicing, testing or repair of materials, goods or products shall take place within completely enclosed buildings unless otherwise indicated herein. Storage of fuel, building materials, equipment, and all other storage, except for parked motor vehicles and retail and display of construction materials, shall take place within enclosed buildings;
(c) All parked and impounded motor vehicles in an open lot shall have such lot completely enclosed by a solid wall or solid fence, including doors or gates thereto, not less than six feet in height. All such motor vehicles shall be parked or placed in an orderly manner within such fenced lot with clear and adequate passageways to allow free and unobstructed access and movement of the fire department in case of fire. The manner of handling and keeping impounded motor vehicles shall, at all times, be subject to the approval of the chiefs of the police and fire departments;
(d) Such conditions relating to noise emissions, lighting and hours of operation that are reasonably necessary in the interests of the public health, welfare and safety;
(e) When granting a special permit for the storage of impounded motor vehicles, the Planning Commission shall specify the expiration date of said permit and the conditions to be met for its renewal, and may specify periodic reviews thereof.
(f) All uses permitted under this chapter shall be conducted wholly within an enclosed building except as may be specially authorized by special permit.
27.36.040 OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING. ¶
Automobile parking and loading facilities shall be provided as required or permitted in Chapter 27.64.
27.36.050 MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA RATIO. ¶
The maximum floor area ratio of all buildings and structures on a zoning plot shall be as follows:
(a) In a C4-.5 district, the floor area ratio shall not exceed 0.5;
(b) In a C4-1 district, the floor area ratio shall not exceed 1.0.
(c) In a C4-1.5 district, the floor area ratio shall not exceed 1.5.
27.36.055 BUILDING HEIGHT. ¶
Building height shall not exceed the standards set forth on the Building Height Plan of the General Plan.
27.36.060 BUFFERS. ¶
The regulations governing buffers in the C1 district shall also apply to the C4 district.
27.36.070 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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Ask AI about this code▸ Contents — San Mateo Zoning Code
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▸ Title 27 — ZONING
Overview- Chapter 27.02 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 27.04 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 27.06 — ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 27.08 — RULES OF PROCEDURE
- Chapter 27.10 — REVIEW PROCEDURE
- Chapter 27.12 — FEES
- Chapter 27.13 — TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT FEE
- Chapter 27.14 — REDEVELOPMENT
- Chapter 27.15 — DENSITY BONUS
- Chapter 27.16 — RESIDENCE DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.18 — R1 DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.19 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY …
- Chapter 27.21 — TWO-UNIT
- Chapter 27.24 — R4 DISTRICT—MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (HIGH DE…
- Chapter 27.26 — R5 DISTRICT—MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (HIGH DE…
- Chapter 27.27 — RESIDENTIAL
- Chapter 27.28 — DOWNTOWN
- Chapter 27.29 — RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY DISTRICT—MIXED USE
- Chapter 27.30 — C1 DISTRICTS— NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL
- Chapter 27.32 — C2 DISTRICTS—
- Chapter 27.34 — C3 DISTRICTS—
- Chapter 27.36 — C4 DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.38 — CBD DISTRICTS— CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
- Chapter 27.39 — CBD SUPPORT DISTRICT— CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRIC…
- Chapter 27.40 — BUILDING HEIGHT AND BULK
- Chapter 27.44 — E1 DISTRICTS—EXECUTIVE PARK
- Chapter 27.48 — E2 DISTRICTS —EXECUTIVE OFFICES
- Chapter 27.54 — MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.56 — M1 DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.59 — S DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.60 — SPECIAL DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.61 — SC DISTRICTS—SENIOR CITIZEN OVERLAY DISTRICT—S…
- Chapter 27.62 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS —SPECIAL USE PERMITS
- Chapter 27.63 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES
- Chapter 27.64 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
- Chapter 27.65 — AMUSEMENT ARCADES AND MACHINES
- Chapter 27.66 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
- Chapter 27.67 — OPEN AIR VENDORS
- Chapter 27.68 — MAINTENANCE OF PROJECT SITE
- Chapter 27.69 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
- Chapter 27.70 — ACCESSORY BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES IN REQUIRED…
- Chapter 27.72 — NONCONFORMING BUILDINGS AND USES
- Chapter 27.73 — TC DISTRICT—
- Chapter 27.74 — SPECIAL USE PERMITS
- Chapter 27.75 — MIXED USE CONVENIENCE MARKET/AUTOMOBILE SERVIC…
- Chapter 27.76 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Chapter 27.77 — DESIGN REVIEW STANDARDS FOR SERVICE STATIONS
- Chapter 27.78 — VARIANCES
- Chapter 27.79 — REASONABLE
- Chapter 27.80 — AMENDMENTS
- Chapter 27.82 — MAPS—BOUNDARY LINES
- Chapter 27.83 — SLOPE AND HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
- Chapter 27.84 — FENCES, TREES AND HEDGES
- Chapter 27.85 — DAY CARE CENTERS
- Chapter 27.86 — RECYCLING COLLECTION AREAS
- Chapter 27.87 — OUTDOOR RESTAURANT SEATING AND MERCHANDISE DIS…
- Chapter 27.88 — BAY MEADOWS SPECIFIC PLAN
- Chapter 27.90 — TOD DISTRICT— TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
- Chapter 27.92 — HILLSDALE STATION AREA PLAN
- Chapter 27.94 — HOUSING