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San Mateo County · Building on your lot

Building on your lot in San Mateo County

San Mateo County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. There it limits oversized vehicle parking on posted county roads and requires covers on new pools and hot tubs.

Key points

  • Oversized vehicles: Oversized vehicles over 6 feet high and trailers may stay in posted no-oversized-parking zones at most 8 hours, only for emergency repairs or towing.
  • Pool covers: San Mateo County requires covers on all new swimming pools and hot tubs in unincorporated areas.

Each rule below is marked San Mateo County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

San Mateo County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in San Mateo County have their own codes and their own pages.

RV and boat parking

San Mateo County code What San Mateo County's code adds
Parking on the street
  • No longer than 8 hours.
    Applies: Oversized vehicles (over 6 feet high) and trailers in posted no-oversized-parking zones on county roads, only for emergency repairs or awaiting a tow.
    § 7.28.070 · code text
    Emergency repairs or waiting for a tow operator for no longer than eight (8) hours;

Swimming pools

San Mateo County code What San Mateo County's code adds
Maintenance and empty pools
  • Covers are required.
    Applies: Applies to all new swimming pools and hot tubs.
    § 4.36.060 · code text
    Covers shall be required for all new swimming pools and hot tubs and encouraged to be installed for existing pools.

Other San Mateo County rules on this

San Mateo County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I park an RV or boat at my home in San Mateo County?

Oversized vehicles over 6 feet high and trailers may stay in posted no-oversized-parking zones at most 8 hours, only for emergency repairs or towing.

What are the pool fence and setback rules in San Mateo County?

San Mateo County requires covers on all new swimming pools and hot tubs in unincorporated areas.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific San Mateo County property

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