Municipal code
San Mateo Municipal Code
The enacted municipal code of San Mateo, California, as published — every title, chapter, and section, verbatim and citable.
- Last updated
- 2026-10-02
- Contents
- 27 titles · 2,496 sections
- Jurisdiction
- San Mateo
Contents
▸Title 2 — ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
Overview- Chapter 2.03 — CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.09 — OFFICERS
- Chapter 2.12 — CODE OF ETHICS FOR OFFICERS
- Chapter 2.15 — LIBRARY BOARD
- Chapter 2.21 — COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.24 — PLANNING COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.25 — HOUSING REHABILITATION LOAN COMMITTEE
- Chapter 2.26 — SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.27 — PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.28 — PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.29 — SENIOR CITIZENS COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.30 — DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
- Chapter 2.33 — DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
- Chapter 2.36 — FIRE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.39 — POLICE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.45 — DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
- Chapter 2.48 — DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
- Chapter 2.57 — PERSONNEL SYSTEM
- Chapter 2.58 — EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN EMPLOYMENT
- Chapter 2.66 — RETIREMENT SYSTEM
- Chapter 2.69 — OFFICE HOURS—PUBLIC RECORDS
- Chapter 2.75 — FUNDS
- Chapter 2.78 — EMERGENCY SERVICES
- Chapter 2.80 — CONTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS TO CITY CANDIDATE CAMPAIGNS
▸Title 3 — TAXATION AND FINANCE
Overview- Chapter 3.35 — CLAIMS FOR TAX REFUNDS
- Chapter 3.38 — PROPERTY TAXATION
- Chapter 3.44 — ADMISSIONS TAX—HORSE RACING
- Chapter 3.48 — REAL PROPERTY DOCUMENT TRANSFER TAX
- Chapter 3.50 — TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.52 — SALES AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.54 — SEWER SERVICE CHARGES AND CONNECTION FEES
- Chapter 3.56 — TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
- Chapter 3.58 — PARK AND RECREATION LAND AND FACILITIES TAX
- Chapter 3.60 — PURCHASING
- Chapter 3.61 — PREVAILING WAGES
- Chapter 3.62 — ACQUISITION—LEASING—DISPOSITION—CITY PROPERTY
- Chapter 3.64 — FEES
- Title 4 — RESERVED
▸Title 5 — BUSINESS LICENSES AND REGULATIONS
Overview- Chapter 5.03 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 5.06 — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 5.09 — BUREAU OF BUSINESS TAXES AND PERMITS
- Chapter 5.12 — TAX RETURN FILING—ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE
- Chapter 5.15 — PERMITS FOR CERTAIN BUSINESSES
- Chapter 5.18 — APPEAL AND REVIEW—REVOCATION—REFUSAL
- Chapter 5.21 — PAYMENT UNDER PROTEST
- Chapter 5.24 — BUSINESS TAX
- Chapter 5.27 — ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 5.36 — AUTOMOBILE WRECKING
- Chapter 5.42 — BILL POSTING—SIGN PAINTING
▸Chapter 5.43 — ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES ARTICLE 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 5.44 — MASSAGE
- Chapter 5.45 — PAWNBROKERS—SECONDHAND DEALERS
- Chapter 5.48 — PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS—EXEMPTIONS
- Chapter 5.49 — TANNING FACILITIES
- Chapter 5.51 — POOL HALLS
- Chapter 5.57 — PRIVATE PATROLS AND SECURITY SERVICES
- Chapter 5.60 — PUBLIC DANCES
- Chapter 5.64 — RESIDENTIAL GARAGE SALES
- Chapter 5.69 — CLOSING OUT SALES
- Chapter 5.70 — AMUSEMENT MACHINE PERMITS
- Chapter 5.75 — TAXICABS—PUBLIC VEHICLES
- Chapter 5.76 — TOWING SERVICE
- Chapter 5.83 — ESCORT SERVICE BUSINESSES
- Chapter 5.86 — REUSABLE BAGS
- Chapter 5.89 — POLYSTYRENE-BASED DISPOSABLE FOOD SERVICE WARE
- Chapter 5.92 — MINIMUM WAGE
- Title 6 — RESERVED
▸Title 7 — HEALTH, SANITATION, AND PUBLIC NUISANCES
Overview- Chapter 7.04 — ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 7.14 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
- Chapter 7.16 — PUBLIC NUISANCES
- Chapter 7.17 — ABANDONED VEHICLES
- Chapter 7.18 — SALE OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA TO MINORS
- Chapter 7.20 — WEEDS—RUBBISH—RANK GROWTH—INTERFERENCE WITH THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
- Chapter 7.22 — UNRULY GATHERINGS
- Chapter 7.28 — WATER WELLS
- Chapter 7.30 — NOISE REGULATIONS
- Chapter 7.32 — GARBAGE
- Chapter 7.33 — RECYCLING AND SALVAGING OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS
- Chapter 7.38 — SANITARY SEWER USE
- Chapter 7.39 — STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONTROL
- Chapter 7.40 — SMOKING CONTROL
- Chapter 7.41 — TOBACCO RETAILER PERMIT
- Chapter 7.42 — LIEN AND ASSESSMENTS OF COSTS AND EXPENSES INCURRED IN PUBLIC NUISANCE
- Chapter 7.44 — CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT PROPERTY WINDOW AND AWNING MAINTENANCE
- Chapter 7.45 — PROHIBITION OF THE CULTIVATION, PROCESSING, OR SALE OF MARIJUANA
▸Chapter 7.46 — MEDICAL MARIJUANA COLLECTIVES REGULATIONS ARTICLE 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 7.48 — VACANT LOT MAINTENANCE
- Title 9 — RESERVED
▸Title 10 — PEACE, SAFETY AND MORALS
Overview- Chapter 10.04 — PUBLIC PEACE AND ORDER
- Chapter 10.12 — MINORS—CURFEW
- Chapter 10.16 — FIRE REGULATIONS
- Chapter 10.26 — FIREARMS—DISCHARGE
- Chapter 10.34 — CHARITABLE BINGO GAMES—PERMITS
- Chapter 10.36 — GAMBLING
- Chapter 10.38 — PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY—ALCOHOL SALES
- Chapter 10.40 — HANDBILLS
- Chapter 10.48 — SOUND TRUCKS—LOUDSPEAKERS—ADVERTISING VEHICLES
- Chapter 10.56 — USE OF LIBRARIES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS
- Chapter 10.65 — PROTECTION OF CHILDREN RECEIVING SOCIAL SERVICES
- Chapter 10.80 — OPERATION OF LEAF BLOWERS
▸Title 11 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Overview- Chapter 11.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 11.08 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 11.12 — DRIVING RULES
- Chapter 11.16 — TURNING—STOPPING
- Chapter 11.20 — TRAFFIC—CONTROL DEVICES
- Chapter 11.24 — ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS
- Chapter 11.28 — RESTRICTED USE OF STREETS
- Chapter 11.32 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING
- Chapter 11.36 — PARKING METHOD
- Chapter 11.40 — PROHIBITED OR LIMITED PARKING
- Chapter 11.44 — PARKING METERS
- Chapter 11.48 — LOADING AND UNLOADING
- Chapter 11.52 — PEDESTRIANS
- Chapter 11.56 — BICYCLES
- Chapter 11.58 — ROADWAY SOLICITATION
- Chapter 11.62 — PARKING IN-LIEU FEES
- Title 12 — RESERVED
▸Title 13 — PARKS AND RECREATION
Overview- Chapter 13.01 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 13.05 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 13.10 — PARK PERMITS
- Chapter 13.20 — PARK REGULATIONS
- Chapter 13.25 — MARINA LAGOON REGULATIONS
- Chapter 13.28 — COUNTY PARK REGULATIONS
- Chapter 13.30 — DEDICATION OF PARKS AND OPEN SPACE
- Chapter 13.35 — STREET TREES
- Chapter 13.52 — HERITAGE TREES
- Title 14 — RESERVED
▸Title 15 — PUBLIC UTILITIES
Overview- Chapter 15.04 — CONTROL
- Chapter 15.08 — FRANCHISE—GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 15.12 — FRANCHISE—PROCEDURE
- Chapter 15.16 — GAS AND ELECTRIC FRANCHISE
- Chapter 15.20 — FRANCHISE—LIABILITY
- Chapter 15.24 — COMMUNITY ANTENNA TELEVISION FRANCHISE
- Chapter 15.25 — STATE VIDEO FRANCHISES
- Chapter 15.26 — ALARM SYSTEMS
- Title 16 — RESERVED
▸Title 17 — STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Overview- Chapter 17.08 — OBSTRUCTIONS—LITTER
- Chapter 17.12 — NEWSRACKS IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
- Chapter 17.16 — DRIVEWAYS
- Chapter 17.20 — STREET SIGNS
- Chapter 17.24 — SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE
- Chapter 17.29 — SHOPPING CART REMOVAL, IMPOUNDMENT, DISPOSAL
- Chapter 17.30 — VALET PARKING
- Chapter 17.32 — TRENCH CUTS
- Chapter 17.34 — SPECIAL EVENTS
- Title 18 — RESERVED
- Title 19 — PARKING FACILITIES
- Title 20 — RESERVED
- Title 21 — PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
- Title 22 — RESERVED
▸Title 23 — BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
Overview- Chapter 23.04 — NUMBERING BUILDINGS
- Chapter 23.06 — ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
- Chapter 23.07 — RESIDENTIAL CODE
- Chapter 23.09 — EXISTING BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 23.10 — EARTHQUAKE HAZARD REDUCTION CODE
- Chapter 23.12 — ELECTRICAL CODE
- Chapter 23.16 — PLUMBING CODE
- Chapter 23.20 — MECHANICAL CODE
- Chapter 23.24 — ENERGY CODE
- Chapter 23.28 — FIRE CODE
- Chapter 23.32 — FIRE PROTECTION FACILITIES CODE
- Chapter 23.33 — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
- Chapter 23.40 — SITE DEVELOPMENT CODE
- Chapter 23.44 — ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
- Chapter 23.46 — SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Chapter 23.48 — SPECIFICATIONS FOR PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION
- Chapter 23.50 — HANDICAPPED ACCESS
- Chapter 23.54 — BUILDING SECURITY CODE
- Chapter 23.56 — MOVING BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 23.58 — VISIBILITY IN BARS
- Chapter 23.60 — ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
- Chapter 23.61 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMERCIAL LINKAGE FEE
- Chapter 23.70 — GREEN BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 23.72 — WATER CONSERVATION IN LANDSCAPING
▸Title 24 — TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM MANAGEMENT (TSM)
▸Title 26 — SUBDIVISIONS
Overview- Chapter 26.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 26.08 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 26.12 — PROCEDURE
- Chapter 26.16 — MISCELLANEOUS DESIGN STANDARDS
- Chapter 26.20 — LOTS
- Chapter 26.24 — BLOCKS
- Chapter 26.28 — STREETS
- Chapter 26.32 — PUBLIC UTILITIES
- Chapter 26.36 — DRAINAGE
- Chapter 26.40 — FEES—DEPOSITS
- Chapter 26.48 — TENTATIVE MAP
- Chapter 26.52 — FINAL MAP
▸Chapter 26.56 — PARCEL MAPS ARTICLE I TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP
- Chapter 26.57 — MERGERS
- Chapter 26.58 — LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS
- Chapter 26.60 — IMPROVEMENTS
- Chapter 26.64 — DEDICATION OF LAND FOR COMMUNITY PURPOSES
- Chapter 26.65 — CONVERSIONS TO CONDOMINIUMS, STOCK COOPERATIVES AND COMMUNITY
- Chapter 26.68 — EXCEPTIONS
- Chapter 26.72 — APPEALS
▸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 27.16 — RESIDENCE DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.17 — MANUFACTURED HOMES
- 27.18 — R1 DISTRICTS—ONE FAMILY DWELLINGS
- Chapter 27.19 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT—RESIDENTIAL
- 27.20 — R2 DISTRICTS—TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS
- 27.22 — R3 DISTRICT—MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (MEDIUM DENSITY)
- 27.24 — R4 DISTRICT—MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (HIGH DENSITY)
- 27.26 — R5 DISTRICT—MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (HIGH DENSITY)
- Chapter 27.27 — RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES
- Chapter 27.28 — DOWNTOWN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS ARTICLE I R4-D DISTRICT—MULTIPLE FAMILY
- Chapter 27.29 — RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY DISTRICT—MIXED USE
- 27.30 — C1 DISTRICTS—NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL
- 27.32 — C2 DISTRICTS—REGIONAL/COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL
- 27.34 — C3 DISTRICTS—REGIONAL/COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL
- 27.36 — C4 DISTRICTS—SERVICE COMMERCIAL
- Chapter 27.38 — CBD DISTRICTS—CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
- Chapter 27.39 — CBD SUPPORT DISTRICT—CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT SUPPORT
- Chapter 27.40 — BUILDING HEIGHT AND BULK
- Chapter 27.42 — STREET WALL AREA DISTRICT
- 27.44 — E1 DISTRICTS—EXECUTIVE PARK
- 27.48 — E2 DISTRICTS—EXECUTIVE OFFICES
- Chapter 27.54 — MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS
- 27.56 — M1 DISTRICTS—MANUFACTURING
- 27.59 — S DISTRICTS—SHORELINE DISTRICT
- Chapter 27.60 — SPECIAL DISTRICTS Article I Agricultural Districts
- Chapter 27.61 — SC DISTRICTS—SENIOR CITIZEN OVERLAY DISTRICT—SPECIAL USE PERMITS
▸Chapter 27.62 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS—SPECIAL USE PERMITS ARTICLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 27.63 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES
▸Chapter 27.64 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING ARTICLE 1 OFF-STREET PARKING
- 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 YARDS
- Chapter 27.71 — LANDSCAPE FOR PLANNING APPLICATIONS
- Chapter 27.72 — NONCONFORMING BUILDINGS AND USES
- Chapter 27.73 — TC DISTRICT—TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR SECTIONS
- Chapter 27.74 — SPECIAL USE PERMITS
- Chapter 27.75 — MIXED USE CONVENIENCE MARKET/AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATIONS
- Chapter 27.76 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Chapter 27.77 — DESIGN REVIEW STANDARDS FOR SERVICE STATIONS
- Chapter 27.78 — VARIANCES
- Chapter 27.79 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR RESIDENTIAL USES
- 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 DISPLAY
- Chapter 27.88 — BAY MEADOWS SPECIFIC PLAN
- Chapter 27.90 — TOD DISTRICT—TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
- Chapter 27.92 — HILLSDALE STATION AREA PLAN