Burlingame · Zoning · NBMU
Burlingame NBMU zoning: height, setbacks and lot size
In Burlingame's NBMU zone, generally buildings can be up to 45 ft tall, the front setback is 15 ft and the minimum lot size is 20,000 sq. ft., with the conditions listed below (Burlingame code, read October 2026).
Key points
- Maximum building height: 45 ft (Base Standard (Tier 1))
- Minimum front setback: 15 ft (EI Camino Real Front, Base Standard (Tier 1))
- Minimum side setback: 10 ft (Interior side along EI Camino Real, Trousdale Drive, Murchison Drive, California Drive, Ogden Drive, and Marco Polo Way)
- Minimum rear setback: 15 ft (20 ft if abutting a lot zoned R-1 or R-2)
- Minimum lot size: 20,000 sq. ft.
- Maximum lot coverage: 80%
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.50 (Base Standard (Tier 1), Office)
- Maximum density: 40 du/ac (Base Standard (Tier 1))
NBMU is a zoning district in Burlingame. Every value below was read from the Burlingame Municipal Code and links to its section (read October 2026). State laws such as the ADU and SB 9 rules can allow more on a residential lot. General information, not legal advice — read the code text and check with the city before you build.
Development standards in NBMU
The general rule for a typical lot in this zone. Zoning tables often attach notes, such as rules for corner lots, lots next to a residential zone, or new subdivisions only. Open “code text” under a value to see the table cell or sentence it was read from.
| Maximum building height | 45 ft Applies: Base Standard (Tier 1) § 25.14.040 · code textTable row “Height — Maximum”, column “Base Standard (Tier 1)”: 45 ft. |
|---|---|
| Minimum front setback | 15 ft Applies: EI Camino Real Front, Base Standard (Tier 1) § 25.14.040 · code textTable row “EI Camino Real Front:”, column “Base Standard (Tier 1)”: 15 ft. |
| Minimum side setback | 10 ft Applies: Interior side along EI Camino Real, Trousdale Drive, Murchison Drive, California Drive, Ogden Drive, and Marco Polo Way § 25.14.040 · code textTable row “Side — Interior: EI Camino Real, Trousdale Drive, Murchison Drive, California Drive, Ogden Drive, and Marco Polo Way”, column “Base Standard (Tier 1)”: 10 ft. |
| Minimum rear setback | 15 ft Applies: 20 ft if abutting a lot zoned R-1 or R-2 § 25.14.040 · code textTable row “Rear”, column “Base Standard (Tier 1)”: 15 ft. 20 ft. if abutting a lot zoned R-1 or R-2 |
| Minimum lot size | 20,000 sq. ft. § 25.14.040 · code textTable row “Size”, column “Base Standard (Tier 1)”: 20,000 sq. ft. |
| Maximum lot coverage | 80% § 25.14.040 · code textTable row “Lot Coverage — Maximum”, column “Base Standard (Tier 1)”: 80% |
| Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) | 0.50 Applies: Base Standard (Tier 1), Office § 25.14.040 · code textTable row “Floor Area Ratio — Maximum”, column “Base Standard (Tier 1)”: Office: 0.50 Commercial: 0.25 |
| Maximum density | 40 du/ac Applies: Base Standard (Tier 1) § 25.14.040 · code textTable row “Density — Maximum”, column “Base Standard (Tier 1)”: 40 du/ac |
Uses in NBMU
Uses the code's use tables allow in NBMU, or allow with a permit. Each links to its page with the code section.
- Apartment building — Allowed
- Residential care home (7 or more) — Needs a conditional use permit
- Child care center — Needs a minor use permit
- Church or place of worship — Needs a conditional use permit — see note
- Community garden — Allowed
When a different number applies
The code sets other values for particular lots, buildings or locations in NBMU:
- Maximum building height: 55 ft — Increased Intensity (Tier 2) § 25.14.040
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — Mixed-Use Arterial Front (Trousdale Drive, Murchison Drive, California Drive), Base Standard (Tier 1) § 25.14.040
- Minimum front setback: 10 ft — Mixed-Use Collector Front (Magnolia Drive) and Neighborhood Access Front (Ogden Drive, Marco Polo Way), Base Standard (Tier 1) § 25.14.040
- Minimum rear setback: 20 ft — If abutting a lot zoned R-1 or R-2 § 25.14.040
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 0.25 — Base Standard (Tier 1), Commercial § 25.14.040
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 1.25 — Increased Intensity (Tier 2), Office § 25.14.040
- Maximum floor area ratio (FAR): 2.0 — Maximum Intensity (Tier 3), Office § 25.14.040
- Maximum density: 80 du/ac — Increased Intensity (Tier 2) § 25.14.040
- Maximum density: 140 du/ac — Maximum Intensity (Tier 3) § 25.14.040
Not on this page
We did not find a general stories limit for NBMU in the zoning tables we read. The code may still set one elsewhere — check the Burlingame Municipal Code.
Other Burlingame zoning districts
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum building height in Burlingame's NBMU zone?
45 ft (base Standard (Tier 1)) — Burlingame Municipal Code § 25.14.040.
What is the minimum front setback in Burlingame's NBMU zone?
15 ft (eI Camino Real Front, Base Standard (Tier 1)) — Burlingame Municipal Code § 25.14.040.
What is the minimum side setback in Burlingame's NBMU zone?
10 ft (interior side along EI Camino Real, Trousdale Drive, Murchison Drive, California Drive, Ogden Drive, and Marco Polo Way) — Burlingame Municipal Code § 25.14.040.
What is the minimum rear setback in Burlingame's NBMU zone?
15 ft (20 ft if abutting a lot zoned R-1 or R-2) — Burlingame Municipal Code § 25.14.040.
What is the minimum lot size in Burlingame's NBMU zone?
20,000 sq. ft. — Burlingame Municipal Code § 25.14.040.
General information, not legal advice.
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