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Title 27 — ZONING

Chapter 27.67 — OPEN AIR VENDORS

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

27.67.010 INTENT.

The intent of this chapter is to regulate open air vendors selling prepared food, fresh cut flowers or plants.

27.67.020 OPEN AIR VENDORS.

"Open Air Vendors" means persons who sell prepared food, fresh cut flowers or plants from a stand or non-motorized, non-stationary cart or pushcart on private property.

27.67.030 OPEN AIR VENDOR: SPECIAL PERMIT REQUIRED.

Open air vendors may be permitted on executive or commercial (including the Central Business District) zoned private property and specific locations on said property subject to the approval of a Special Permit by the Planning Commission.

27.67.040 PROPERTY OWNER'S CONSENT.

The property owner(s) written consent shall be filed with an application for a special use permit. The property owner shall be ultimately responsible for the manner in which open air vending is operated on his or her /her property.

27.67.050 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.

Vacant unimproved property shall not be considered for open air vending. Open air vendors may be permitted on improved private property when:

(a) There is an existing operating primary use on-site. Leases for open air vending space shall run concurrent with the primary lease.

(b) The open air vendor is considered to be an incidental use on the property.

(c) The space for the vendor does not occupy required off-street parking spaces.

(d) The space for the vendor is convenient to existing pedestrian movement and does not interfere with vehicular circulation and parking.

(e) Sturdy and rigid refuse containers which are animal proof and a litter control plan are provided.

27.67.060 CONDITIONS OF USE.

The following conditions shall apply to all open air vendors as defined by this chapter:

(a) Open air vendors shall be limited to the sale of flowers, plants or food for immediate consumption such as hot dogs, sandwiches, ice cream and non-alcoholic beverages.

(b) The hours of operation shall be established on a case-by-case basis by the Planning Commission but in no case shall they exceed the hours of operation for the primary use on

subject site.

(c) There shall be no vending from a truck, van, automobile, or other motorized vehicle.

(d) A clearance by the County Health Officer shall be on file with the City as part of the application, when applicable.

(e) The maximum overall size of the stand or non-motorized non-stationary cart or pushcart, hereafter referred to as "conveyance" shall be established on a case-by-case basis by the Planning Commission.

(f) Signs shall be limited to non-electrical signs that are permanently affixed to the vendor's conveyance. The total sign square footage shall not exceed 6 (six) square feet.

(g) Items for sale shall be confined to the vendor's conveyance. However, areas immediately adjacent to the vendor's conveyance may be used for sales purposes when it can be demonstrated that the location will not impede pedestrian or vehicular circulation.

(h) Noise generating devices, such as, but not limited to horns, bells, loudspeakers or amplifiers, shall not be used.

27.67.070 OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING.

Off-street parking and loading is not required for open air vendors.

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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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