Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 27 — ZONING›Chapter 27.64 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
San Mateo Municipal Code Art. 2 Off-Street Loading
San Mateo Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-05 · San Mateo
Cite as: San Mateo Municipal Code Article 2 · Text as of 2026-10-05
27.64.310 LOCATION.¶
Off-street loading facilities shall be located as follows:
(a) All required loading berths shall be located on the same parcel as the use served. No loading berth for vehicles over two (2) ton capacity shall be closer than 50 feet to any property in a residence district unless completely enclosed by building walls, or a uniformly solid fence or wall, or any combination thereof, not less than six (6) feet in height. No permitted or required loading berth shall be located within 25 feet of the nearest point of intersection of any two (2) streets.
(b) Freight-handling doors and facilities shall be oriented towards legal off-street loading berths and not towards street or curb parking. Freight-handling docks and loading areas shall not obstruct the use of aisles, drives and sidewalks.
prior code § 151.06(A)
27.64.320 SIZE.¶
Loading stalls shall be of a size and number consistent with loading demands on an average business day under the intended use, but in no case shall they be less than the requirements of this chapter. Unless otherwise specified, a required loading berth shall be at least 10 feet in width by at least 25 feet in length, exclusive of aisle and maneuvering space, and shall have a vertical clearance of at least 14 feet. Where larger trucks will likely deliver to the proposed use, the loading berth, aisles, driveways, turnaround and overhead clearances shall be appropriately increased.
prior code § 151.06(B)
27.64.330 ACCESS.¶
Each required off-street loading berth shall be designed with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street or alley in a manner which will least interfere with traffic movements and shall be designed to preclude backing out onto a public right-of-way.
prior code § 151.06(C)
27.64.340 SURFACING.¶
All open off-street loading berths shall be improved with a compacted base, not less than five (5) inches thick, surfaces with not less than three (3) inches of plant mix asphalt, concrete or some comparable material approved by the City Engineer.
prior code § 151.06(D)
27.64.350 REPAIR—SERVICE.¶
No motor vehicle repair work or service of any kind shall be permitted in conjunction with loading facilities provided in any residence or commercial district.
prior code § 151.06(E)
27.64.360 USE FOR OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENT PROHIBITED.¶
Space allocated to any off-street loading berth shall not, while so allocated, be used to satisfy the space requirements for any off-street parking facilities or portions thereof.
prior code § 151.06(F)
27.64.370 SPECIAL USES.¶
For special uses other than prescribed for hereinafter, loading berths adequate in number and size to serve such use, as determined by the Zoning Administrator, shall be provided.
prior code § 151.06(G)
27.64.380 RECEIVING FACILITIES.¶
Uses for which off-street loading facilities are required herein but which are located in buildings of less floor area than the minimum prescribed for such required facilities shall be provided with adequate receiving facilities off any adjacent alley, service drive or open space on the same lot which is accessible by motor vehicle.
prior code § 151.06(H)
27.64.390 SCHEDULE OF LOADING REQUIREMENTS.¶
All planning applications shall include a description of the means by which loading activities for the intended use are to be accommodated. For the uses listed in the following table, off-street loading berths shall be provided on the basis of number of residential units or gross floor area of building or portions thereof devoted to such uses in the amounts shown herein. Off-street loading berths as prescribed below shall be required where access to such berths is available from a public alley, driveway easement, or from an adjacent off-street parking area. Where only street access is available, the requirements for loading berths may be modified by one of the following means:
(a) Approval of a site plan and architectural review by the Development Review Board, based on the finding that each of the following conditions pertain:
(1) Adequate on-street parking is available along the parcel frontage to accommodate a loading vehicle;
(2) On-street parking intended for temporary loading purposes is located at least 50 feet from any intersections, and provides convenient access to building entrances; and
(3) The street width is adequate to accommodate loading vehicles without impeding use of the sidewalk or local traffic circulation or otherwise be detrimental to public safety; or
(b) Approval of a variance application in accordance with Chapter 27.78.
| USE | GROSS FLOOR AREA IN SQUARE FEET | NO. | OF BERTHS |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Hospitals, Sanitariums, and other institutional uses. | 20,000 to 100,000 | 1 | 10' x 25' |
| for each additional 100,000 or fraction, add | 1 | 10' x 25' | |
| B. Hotels, Clubs, Lodges—when containing any of the following: Retail Shops, Restaurants, Convention Halls, Auditoriums, Exhibition Halls, or Business or Professional Offices (other than accessory) | 10,000 to 20,000 | 1 | 10' x 25' |
| 20,000 to 150,000 | 2 | 10' x 50' | |
| for each additional 150,000 or fraction, add | 1 | 10' x 50' | |
| C. Retail Stores D. Establishments Dispensing Food or Beverage, for Consumption on the Premises, except for Fast Food Establishments E. Motor Vehicle and Machinery Sales F. Wholesale Establishments (but not including warehouse and storage buildings other than accessory) | 5,000 to 12,000 | 1 | 10' x 25' |
| 12,000 to 25,000 | 2 | 10' x 25' | |
| 25,000 to 40,000 | 2 | 10' x 50' | |
| 40,000 to 100,000 | 3 | 10' x 50' | |
| for each additional 100,000 or fraction, add | 1 | 10' x 50' | |
| G. Auditoriums, Convention Halls, Exhibition Halls, Sports Arenas, Stadiums H. Bowling Alleys | 10,000 to 20,000 | 1 | 10' x 25' |
| 20,000 to 100,000 | 1 | 10' x 50' | |
| for each additional 100,000 or fraction, add | 1 | 10' x 50' | |
| I. Banks and Offices – Business, Professional and Governmental | 50,000 to 100,000 | 1 | 10' x 25' |
| for each additional 100,000 or fraction of 500,000, add | 1 | 10' x 25' | |
| J. Establishments engaged in Production, Processing, Cleaning, Servicing, Testing, or Repair of Materials, Goods, or Products K. Warehouses and Storage Buildings | 5,000 to 10,000 | 1 | 10' x 25' |
| 10,000 to 40,000 | 1 | 10' x 50' | |
| 40,000 to 100,000 | 2 | 10' x 50' | |
| for each additional 100,000 or fraction of 500,000, add | 1 | 10' x 50' | |
| L. Theaters | 8,000 to 25,000 | 1 | 10' x 25' |
| for each additional 50,000 or fraction, add | 1 | 10' x 25' | |
| M. Funeral Homes | 8,000 to 25,000 | 1 | 10' x 25' |
| for each additional 50,000 or fraction, add | 1 | 10' x 25' | |
| N. Fast Food Establishments | 2,000 to 7,000 | 1 | 10' x 25' |
| 7,000 to 12,000 | 2 | 10' x 25' | |
| O. Multiple-Family Residential* | 50 or more units | 1 | 10' x 25' |
* May be eliminated in mixed-use developments where a minimum of 1 loading berth is required for nonresidential uses.
prior code § 151.07
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