Chapter 20.290 — SOUTHLINE CAMPUS SPECIFIC PLAN DISTRICT

This chapter establishes the Southline Campus Specific Plan (S-C) District and provides for coordinated planning and design principles for the property within this district. The S-C District implements the Southline Specific Plan, the purpose of which is to allow for development of a state-of-the-art transit-oriented commercial campus, including administrative, financial, business, and professional offices, R&D (including life sciences), supporting commercial services (e.g. retail, fitness, restaurants, etc.) and ancillary uses in an area that is proximate to BART and Caltrain stations.

(Ord. 1638 § 2, 2022)

• A. As used in this chapter, “specific plan” shall refer to the contents of the Southline Specific Plan.

• B. The regulations contained in this chapter are intended to implement the Southline Specific Plan and shall apply to the areas within the Southline Campus Specific Plan District (S-C) mapped on the official zoning map.

• (Ord. 1638 § 2, 2022)

In the event of inconsistencies or conflict between the Southline Specific Plan and this chapter or any other provision of the South San Francisco Municipal Code, the provisions of the Southline Specific Plan take precedence, control, and govern in the S-C district. Any activities regulated by the Municipal Code but not addressed in the specific plan or this Chapter 20.290 shall be regulated by the municipal code. Unless otherwise established in the Southline Specific Plan, all definitions and land use terms shall be interpreted consistent with the South San Francisco Municipal Code.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/SO5016 on 2026-05-11

City of South San Francisco, CA

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CODE

§ 20.290.003

§ 20.290.004

Figure 20.290.001 Southline Campus Specific Plan (S-C) District

==> picture [301 x 181] intentionally omitted <==

(Ord. 1638 § 2, 2022)

Table 20.290.001, Land Use Regulations, establishes the permitted, conditionally permitted, and prohibited uses within the S-C District. The uses listed in Table 20.290.001, Land Use Regulations, have the same meaning as those use classifications as defined under Chapter 20.620, Use Classifications, of the City’s Zoning Ordinance, unless otherwise defined in this Section 20.290.004 or in the Southline Specific Plan.

Within the S-C District, all land area and structures/facilities therein are intended to be developed, divided, and/or used for those activities listed in Table 20.290.001, Land Use Regulations. Table 20.290.001 also includes references to generally applicable Municipal Code sections and other ordinances that the City uses to regulate development, where relevant.

Land uses in the table are grouped into general categories based on common function, product, or compatibility characteristics. These allowed use categories are called “use classifications.” Use classifications describe one or more uses having similar characteristics but do not list every use or activity that may appropriately be within the classification. The following rules apply to use classifications:

Similar Uses. In cases where a specific land use or activity is not specifically listed in Table 20.290.001, Land Use Regulations, the Chief Planner may assign the land use or activity to a classification that is substantially similar in character. If the Chief Planner interprets that the use is substantially similar to a permitted or conditionally permitted use, then the use shall be permitted or conditionally permitted, as applicable. Use classifications and sub-classifications not listed in Table 20.290.001, Land Use Regulations, or not found to be substantially similar to the uses below are prohibited.

Illegal Uses. No use that is illegal under local, state, or federal law shall be allowed in any land use subdesignation within the S-C District.

“P” designates permitted uses subject to approval of a precise plan.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/SO5016 on 2026-05-11

City of South San Francisco, CA

ZONING

§ 20.290.004

§ 20.290.004

“MUP” designates use classifications that are permitted after review and approval of a Minor Use Permit by the Chief Planner.

“C” designates use classifications that are permitted after review and approval of a Conditional Use Permit by the Planning Commission.

“-” designates uses that are not permitted.

==> picture [424 x 559] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Table 20.290.001
Southline Campus Specific Plan (S-C) District Land Use Regulations
Southline Campus
Specific Plan (S-
Uses Permitted C) District Additional Regulations
Public and Semi-Public Uses
Community Assembly, small, 2,000 sq. P See Community Assembly in
ft. or less Chapter 20.350
Cultural Institutions P
Government Offices P
Park and Recreation Facilities, Public P
Public Safety Facilities P
Commercial Uses
Business Services P
Commercial Entertainment and See sub-classifications below
Recreation
Indoor Entertainment C
Indoor Sports and Recreation C
Outdoor Entertainment C
Outdoor Sports and Recreation P
Eating and Drinking Establishments See sub-classifications below
Coffee Shops/Cafes P
Restaurants, Full Service P
Restaurant, Limited Service P
Lodging See sub-classifications below
Hotels and Motels C
Maker’s Space P [1]
P
Offices See sub-classifications below
Business and Professional P
Medical and Dental P
Walk-In Clientele P
----- End of picture text -----

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/SO5016 on 2026-05-11

City of South San Francisco, CA § 20.290.004

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CODE

§ 20.290.004

==> picture [424 x 642] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Table 20.290.001
Southline Campus Specific Plan (S-C) District Land Use Regulations
Southline Campus
Specific Plan (S-
Uses Permitted C) District Additional Regulations
Personal Services See sub-classifications below
General Personal Services P See Personal Services in
Chapter 20.350
Instructional Services P [2]
Retail Sales See sub-classifications below
General Retail Sales P
Employment Uses
Clean Technology P
Handicraft/Custom Manufacturing P
Research and Development (R&D) P
Residential Uses -
Transportation and Utilities Uses
Communication Facilities See sub-classifications below
Antenna and Transmission Towers C See Chapter 20.370 Antennas
and Wireless Communications
Facilities
Facilities within Buildings P
Transportation Hub P Use includes facilities for
accommodation of shuttles and
ride- share pickup and drop off
zones, along with other features
that may be included in any
applicable Transportation
Demand Management (“TDM”)
programs within the Specific
Plan area. Excludes light-fleet
based services or freight
forwarding uses.
Utilities, Major C
Utilities, Minor P
Other Applicable Use Regulations
Nonconforming Uses See Chapter 20.320 Nonconforming Uses,
Structures, and Lots
Temporary Uses See Chapter 20.340 Temporary Uses
Other Uses Requiring Use Permit See Section 20.490.002 Use Permit Applicability
----- End of picture text -----

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/SO5016 on 2026-05-11

City of South San Francisco, CA § 20.290.004

ZONING

§ 20.290.005

Notes:

1. Maker’s Space: A workspace for an artist or artisan or for a group of artists or artisans practicing an applied art or craft. Production involves only the use of hand tools or small mechanical equipment. Typical uses include jewelry-making, pottery and ceramic studios with a kiln, glassblowing, metalworking, woodworking, and other arts with some associated impacts related to odors, fumes, noise, particulate matter emissions, or other disturbances. May include incidental direct sale to consumers of only those goods produced on site.

2. Instructional Services: An establishment that offers specialized programs in personal growth and development such as music, martial arts, photography, vocal, fitness, yoga, dancing, and academic tutoring. Attendance is typically limited to hourly classes rather than full-day instruction. These establishments do not grant diplomas or degrees, though instruction could provide credits for diplomas or degrees granted by other institutions. Retail sales are permitted as an accessory use.

• (Ord. 1638 § 2, 2022)

Table 20.290.002 prescribes the development standards for the S-C District. Additional regulations are denoted in the right-hand column. Section numbers in this column refer to other sections of this chapter. All buildings, excluding parking garages, shall conform to the following standards. Please refer to the Southline Specific Plan for detailed design guidelines, which along with the development standards contained in the following table, should be used to guide the review and approval of development within the S-C District.

==> picture [424 x 246] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Table 20.290.002
Southline Campus Specific Plan District Development Standards
Southline Campus Specific
Standard Plan (S-C) District Additional Regulations
Lot and Density Standards
Maximum Floor Area Ratio 2.4 [1] See Chapter 20.040 Rules of
Measurement, including
Section 20.040.008
Determining Floor Area and
Section 20.040.009
Determining Floor Area
Ratio.
Maximum Lot Coverage 70% See Section 20.040.010
Determining Lot Coverage
Minimum Open Space Coverage 15% [2]
Building Form and Location
----- End of picture text -----

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/SO5016 on 2026-05-11

City of South San Francisco, CA

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CODE

§ 20.290.005

§ 20.290.005

==> picture [424 x 558] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Table 20.290.002
Southline Campus Specific Plan District Development Standards
Southline Campus Specific
Standard Plan (S-C) District Additional Regulations
Maximum Height (ft) Maximum height limits Subject to FAA Part 77
permissible under Federal notification and
Aviation Regulations Part determination requirements.
77 and San Francisco See Specific Plan Figure 2-8:
International Airport Conceptual Building Height.
ALUCP Critical
Aeronautical Surfaces
provisions
Minimum Yards (ft) (3)
Front 10
Interior Side 10
Street Side 10
Tanforan Avenue 40 Setbacks are 40 feet as
measured from Tanforan
Avenue right of way, with
the exception of the cul-de-
sac at the western end of
Tanforan Avenue, where
buildings may be sited
within 20’ from the Tanforan
Avenue right of way.
Sneath Avenue Extension 0 Landscape buffers should be
used to visually screen and
soften the perimeter of the S-
C District, including along
the Sneath Avenue
extension.
Rear 10
Parking and Loading
Maximum Parking Ratio (4) 1.65 spaces / 1,000 sq. ft. Additional valet parking up
to a 2.0 / 1,000 sq. ft. ratio
may be permitted, with staff
review and approval of a
valet parking plan.
----- End of picture text -----

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/SO5016 on 2026-05-11

City of South San Francisco, CA

ZONING

§ 20.290.005

§ 20.290.005

==> picture [424 x 295] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Table 20.290.002
Southline Campus Specific Plan District Development Standards
Southline Campus Specific
Standard Plan (S-C) District Additional Regulations
Minimum Bicycle Parking 1 space / 3,000 sq. ft. Approximately 90% of
bicycle spaces will be
provided for long-term use
and the remaining 10% will
be for short-term use. The
specific allocation and
location of short-term and
long-term spaces will be
established and approved
under each precise plan.
Loading Spaces 1 space / building Minimum size shall not be
less than 12 feet wide, 45
feet long, and 14 feet high,
exclusive of driveways for
ingress and egress,
maneuvering areas and
setbacks.
----- End of picture text -----

Notes:

1. Total allowable floor area and floor area ratio (FAR) shall be calculated based on entire specific plan area (inclusive of the Sneath Avenue Extension) and other dedicated improvements) rather than on a lot-by-lot basis. The total allowable floor area shall be 2,800,000 square feet across the entire S-C District, which equates to approximately 2.4 FAR, exclusive of underground and structured parking, and any other applicable exceptions provided under SSFMC Chapter 20.040 Rules of Measurement.

2. Total allowable open space area shall be calculated based on entire S-C District (inclusive of the Sneath Avenue Extension and other dedicated improvements) rather than on a lot-by-lot basis. Open space includes all landscaped areas, sidewalks and path-ways, decorative paving and passive and active areas.

3. Setbacks are measured from property line to the exterior wall of the primary building, with the exception that setbacks from Tanforan Avenue shall be measured from that public right of way to the exterior wall of the primary building. Subterranean garages within the S-C District are not subject to setback requirements. Setbacks within the S- C District are not subject to per SSFMC 20.040.012 (Determining Setbacks (Yards)) and SSFMC 20.300.011 (Projections into Required Yards). Accessory buildings and structures within the Specific Plan area are not subject to Municipal Code Section 20.300.002, Accessory Buildings and Structures, including setback requirements included therein.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/SO5016 on 2026-05-11

City of South San Francisco, CA § 20.290.005

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CODE

§ 20.290.006

Notes:

4. Maximum parking ratio shall be calculated based on entire Specific Plan area (inclusive of the Sneath Avenue Extension and other dedicated improvements) rather than on a lotby-lot basis. Parking incorporated within Building 2 (Amenities Building) shall not count towards the maximum 1.65 parking ratio; parking within Building 2 (Amenities Building) shall be utilized for Specific Plan area visitors and Amenities Building customers, staff, and affiliates.

• (Ord. 1638 § 2, 2022)

Refer to Chapter 6: Implementation of the Southline Specific Plan for information regarding implementation and administration.

(Ord. 1638 § 2, 2022)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/SO5016 on 2026-05-11

City of South San Francisco, CA