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Title 27 — ZONING

Chapter 27.94 — HOUSING

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

27.94.005 Purpose

The purpose of the Housing Opportunities Overlay District (H) is to establish by-right residential uses on sites identified to accommodate a portion of the housing need for lower income housing in the General Plan Housing Element, pursuant to Government Code Sections 65583.2(c) and (i). This chapter establishes minimum development requirements and procedures for reviewing and approval of the by-right residential development uses.

27.94.010 By-Right Residential Use Eligibility

The following housing development projects are eligible for by-right approval. Housing development projects that are ineligible for by-right approval shall be subject to the requirements for residential development in the underlying zoning district.

(a) Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2(c) and (h), housing development projects in which at least 20 percent of the units proposed are affordable to lower income households, as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 50079.5 , and is a household whose income is equal to or less than eighty percent of the area median income, as published by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The housing development project shall be allowed at the density allowed in the underlying zoning district and shall be allowed a minimum density of at least 30 dwelling units per acre. A "housing development project" shall have the same meaning as defined in Government Code Section 65589.5(h)(2) .

(Ord. No. 2024-4.)

Cross References Section 27.94.020(d)

27.94.020 By-Right Residential Use Requirements

(a) Site plan and architectural review approval is required under Chapter 27.08, Rules of Procedure. The Zoning Administrator shall be the approval authority for projects proposed pursuant to this chapter that comply with the City's Municipal Code and Objective Design Standards. The Zoning Administrator shall not exercise any discretion in the review process for such projects and their decision shall be final.

(b) The site plan and architectural review shall not constitute a "project" for the purposes of Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code .

(c) Any subdivision of the site shall be subject to all laws, including, but not limited to Title 26 of the City of San Mateo Municipal Code (Subdivisions).

(d) Notwithstanding Section 27.94.010, the following objective development standards shall

apply to housing development projects built pursuant to this chapter:

(1) Development standards set forth in the underlying zoning district.

(2) For a project within another overlay district, the development standards of the overlay district.

(3) For development projects within an E2 Zoning District without an overlay district, the R4 development standards.

(4) For development projects within a Specific Plan or within the TOD zoning district, the applicable development standards of the Specific Plan or TOD zoning district.

(5) Objective Design Standards for multi-family and residential mixed-use projects as adopted by City Council resolution.

(6) Applicable standard conditions of approval.

(Ord. No. 2024-4.)

Cross References Section 27.22.010(d) Section 27.30.010(j)

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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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