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Title 8 — ZONING & DEVELOPMENT CODE

Chapter 8.150 — “S” DISTRICTS 1 to 13 (COMBINING DISTRICTS 1-13)

San Mateo County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Mateo County

8.150.010 - Regulations For “S” Districts 1 to 13.

In any District with which is combined any “S” District, the following regulations as specified for the respective “S” Districts shall apply:

TABLE 1
District Minimum
Building
Site
Minimum Lot
Area Per
Dwelling Unit
(Sq. Ft.)
Minimum
Yards
Required
Maximum
Height
Permitted
Maximum
Coverage
Permitted
(%)
Average
Width
(Ft.)
Minimum Area
(Ft.)
Front
(Ft.)
Side
(Ft.)
Rear
(Ft.)
Storie
s
Ft.
S-1 50 5,000 500 20 5 20 3 36 50
S-2 50 5,000 1,000 20 5 20 3 36 50
S-3 50 5,000 1,250 203 5 20 33 363 50
S-4 50 5,000 1,650 20 5 20 3 36 50
S-5 50 5,000 2,500 20 5 20 3 36 50
S-6 50 5,000 3,500 20 5 20 3 36 50
S-7 50 5,000 5,000 20 5 20 3 36 50
S-8 50 7,500 7,500 20 5 20 3 36 40
S-9 50 10,000 10,000 20 10 20 3 36 30
S-10 75 20,000 20,000 20 10 20 3 36 25
S-11 100 1 – 5 ac.1 1 – 5 ac.1 50 20 20 3 36 15
S-12 175 2 1/2 – 5 ac.1 2 1/2 – 5 ac.1 50 20 20 3 36 10
S-13 250 5 ac.1 5 ac.1 50 20 20 3 36 10
S-17 --2 --2 --2 --2 --2 --2 --2 --2 --2

1See Section 8.150.020 for precise lot area requirements in S-11 and S-12 Districts.

2See Chapter 8.154 for precise requirements in the S-17 District.

3For buildings on land zoned C-1/S-3 located in the Midcoast LCP Update Project Area, as shown by the Midcoast Project Area Zoning Map the following provisions shall apply:

  • (a) Buildings with No Residential Units Maximum Height Permitted – 28 feet.

  • (b) Buildings with Residential Units – One of the following provisions shall apply, as determined by the property owner:

    • (1) Maximum Front Yard Required – None. Maximum Height Permitted – 28 feet; or

    • (2) Maximum Front Yard Required – 20 feet. Maximum Height Permitted – 32 feet.

Maximum coverage limitations shall apply to all structures except:

  • (a) Structures in C, H, M, or P Districts in which there are no dwelling facilities.

  • (b) Greenhouses, lathhouses, or other structures used exclusively for flower growing.

(Prior code § Chapter 20 Amd. Ord. 1483 10/10/61)

(Prior code § 6300 Amd. Ord. 1681; 10/10/64)

(Prior code § 6300 Amd. Ord. 1706; 06/22/65)

(Prior code § 6300 Amd. Ord. 2012;12/11/69)

(Prior code § 6300 Amd. Ord. 2379; 07/20/76)

(Prior code § 6300 Amd. Ord. 2862; 12/13/83)

(Prior code § 6300 Amd. Ord. 2868; 12/20/83)

(Prior code § 6300 (Table 1 Con’t) ) Rep. Ord. 3470; 02/02/93)

(Prior code § 6300 Amd. Ord. 4557; 05/24/11 Cert. by CA Coast Commission 08/08/12; eff in Coastal Zone 09/07/12)

8.150.020 - Lot Slope Regulations.

The following additional regulations for determining lot area requirements and lots per gross acre shall apply in S-11 and S-12 Districts.

TABLE 2

TABLE 2
LOT AREA REQUIREMENTS FOR S-11 DISTRICTS*
Slope Category In
Percent
Gross Area Acres
Per Dwelling Unit
Required
Minimum Lot
Area In Acres
Slope Category In
Percent
Gross Area Acres
Per Dwelling Unit
Required
Minimum Lot
Area In Acres
(1) (2) (1) (2)
1 & under 1.14 1.00 26 1.91 1.52
2 1.16 1.00 27 1.97 1.61
3 1.18 1.00 28 2.02 1.69
4 1.20 1.00 29 2.08 1.77
5 1.22 1.00 30 2.14 1.86
6 1.24 1.00 31 2.21 1.94
7 1.26 1.00 32 2.28 2.03
8 1.29 1.00 33 2.36 2.12
9 1.31 1.00 34 2.44 2.19
10 1.33 1.00 35 2.53 2.27
11 1.36 1.00 36 2.62 2.36
12 1.39 1.00 37 2.72 2.45
13 1.42 1.00 38 2.83 2.55
14 1.44 1.00 39 2.95 2.66
15 1.47 1.00 40 3.07 2.78
16 1.51 1.00 41 3.21 2.91
17 1.54 1.00 42 3.37 3.05
18 1.57 1.00 43 3.54 3.20
19 1.61 1.00 44 3.72 3.38
20 1.65 1.00 45 3.93 3.57
21 1.68 1.09 46 4.16 3.79
22 1.73 1.18 47 4.42 4.03
23 1.77 1.26 48 4.71 4.31
24 1.81 1.34 49 5.05 4.63
25 1.86 1.43 50 & over 5.43 5.00
*S-12 Districts shall be subject to this regulation when slope category indicates minimum lot size greater than 2
1/2 acres.

Slope category is determined by the average ground slope which is calculated by the following formula:

==> picture [88 x 7] intentionally omitted <==

==> picture [10 x 7] intentionally omitted <==

Where I = interval of measured contours S = average ground slope of parcel

  • L = combined length of contours in feet

    • (i.e., map measurement of contours in inches X scale)
  • A = area of parcel in acres

Where a parcel being subdivided contains lands in excess of 50% slope, such lands may be treated separately from the rest of the parcel and the number of dwelling units permissible on the 50% and over lands may be added to the number permissible on the balance of the parcel to obtain the total permissible on the entire parcel.

For the purpose of providing flexibility of design in subdivisions, individual lots may be as much as fifteen percent (15%) smaller than indicated in Column Two, provided that the total number of lots within the parcel being subdivided does not exceed the number determined from Column One and provided further that no lot contains less than one (1) acre.

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Contents — San Mateo County Zoning Code
San Mateo County Zoning Code
  1. Title 8 — ZONING & DEVELOPMENT CODE
    Overview
    1. Article 1 — ZONING DISTRICTS, OVERLAY, AND COMBINING DISTRICTS
    2. Chapter 8.04 — ZONING GENERAL PROVISIONS
    3. Chapter 8.08 — DISTRICTS
    4. Chapter 8.12 — RE, RESIDENTIAL ESTATES
    5. Chapter 8.16 — R1, ONE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
    6. Chapter 8.20 — R1-CCP, COUNTRY CLUB PARK
    7. Chapter 8.24 — R2, TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    8. Chapter 8.28 — R3, MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    9. Chapter 8.32 — R3-A, AFFORDABLE HOUSING DISTRICT
    10. Chapter 8.34 — PUD, PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
    11. Chapter 8.36 — A1, AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
    12. Chapter 8.40 — A2, EXCLUSIVE AGRICULTURE DISTRICTS
    13. Chapter 8.44 — A3, FLORICULTURAL DISTRICTS
    14. Chapter 8.48 — COSC, COMMUNITY OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
    15. Chapter 8.52 — EG, EL GRANADA GATEWAY DISTRICT
    16. Chapter 8.56 — P, PARKING DISTRICT
    17. Chapter 8.60 — H1, LIMITED HIGHWAY FRONTAGE DISTRICT
    18. Chapter 8.64 — O, OFFICE DISTRICTS
    19. Chapter 8.68 — C1, NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICTS
    20. Chapter 8.70 — C1/NFO DISTRICT, NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT…
    21. Chapter 8.72 — C1/WMP District (NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL/WEST M…
    22. Chapter 8.76 — C2, GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
    23. Chapter 8.78 — C2, GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS NORTH FAIR OAKS
    24. Chapter 8.82 — CCR, (COASTSIDE COMMERCIAL RECREATION DISTRICT)
    25. Chapter 8.86 — M1 (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS)
    26. Chapter 8.88 — M1/NFO DISTRICT (MIXED-USE INDUSTRIAL/NORTH FAI…
    27. Chapter 8.90 — M1/EDISON/NFO” DISTRICT (MIXED-USE INDUSTRIAL/E…
    28. Chapter 8.94 — M2, HEAVY INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
    29. Chapter 8.98 — W, WATERFRONT DISTRICT
    30. Chapter 8.102 — I/NFO, INSTITUTIONAL/NORTH FAIR OAKS DISTRICT
    31. Chapter 8.106 — PAD DISTRICT, PLANNED AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
    32. Chapter 8.110 — RH, RESIDENTIAL HILLSIDE DISTRICT
    33. Chapter 8.114 — PC DISTRICT (PLANNED COLMA DISTRICT)
    34. Chapter 8.118 — CMU-1 DISTRICT (COMMERCIAL MIXED USE-1 DISTRIC…
    35. Chapter 8.122 — CMU-2 DISTRICT (COMMERCIAL MIXED USE-2 DISTRIC…
    36. Chapter 8.126 — CMU-3 DISTRICT (COMMERCIAL MIXED USE-3 DISTRIC…
    37. Chapter 8.130 — NMU DISTRICT (NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED-USE DISTRICT,…
    38. Chapter 8.132 — NMU-ECR DISTRICT (NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED USE DISTR…
    39. Chapter 8.134 — RM DISTRICT (RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)
    40. Chapter 8.138 — RM-CZ DISTRICT (RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT- …
    41. Chapter 8.142 — TPZ, TIMBERLAND PRESERVE ZONE
    42. Chapter 8.146 — TPZ-CZ, TIMBERLAND PRESERVE ZONE, COASTAL ZONE
    43. Chapter 8.150 — “S” DISTRICTS 1 to 13 (COMBINING DISTRICTS 1-13)
    44. Chapter 8.154 — S17 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, MIDCOAST)
    45. Chapter 8.158 — S50 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, NORTH FAIR O…
    46. Chapter 8.162 — S71 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, DEVONSHIRE)
    47. Chapter 8.166 — S72 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, WEST MENLO P…
    48. Chapter 8.170 — S73 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, NORTH FAIR O…
    49. Chapter 8.174 — S74 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, SELBY NEIGHB…
    50. Chapter 8.178 — S75 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, WEEKEND ACRES)
    51. Chapter 8.182 — S81 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, SAN MATEO HI…
    52. Chapter 8.186 — S82 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, WEST MENLO P…
    53. Chapter 8.190 — S83 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LOS TRANCOS …
    54. Chapter 8.194 — S90 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, MENLO OAKS)
    55. Chapter 8.198 — S91 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, PALOMAR PARK)
    56. Chapter 8.202 — S92 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, WEST MENLO P…
    57. Chapter 8.204 — S93 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, NORTH FAIR O…
    58. Chapter 8.212 — S95 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LADERA)
    59. Chapter 8.216 — S100 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, MENLO OAKS)
    60. Chapter 8.220 — S101 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, PALOMAR PARK)
    61. Chapter 8.224 — S102 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, DEVONSHIRE)
    62. Chapter 8.228 — S104 DISTRICT (COMBINING DIESTRICT, LADERA)
    63. Chapter 8.232 — S105 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, MIDCOAST)
    64. Chapter 8.236 — S106 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LADERA)
    65. Chapter 8.240 — S108 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LOS TRANCOS…
    66. Chapter 8.244 — S110 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LADERA)
    67. Chapter 8.248 — AO DISTRICT (AIRPORT OVERLAY DISTRICT)
    68. Chapter 8.252 — CD DISTRICT (COASTAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT)
    69. Chapter 8.256 — DR DISTRICTS (DESIGN REVIEW DISTRICTS)
    70. Chapter 8.260 — MH DISTRICTS (MOBILE HOME PARKS)
    71. Chapter 8.264 — GH DISTRICT (GEOLOGIC HAZARDS DISTRICT REGULAT…
    72. Chapter 8.272 — E DISTRICT (ENTERTAINMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT)
    73. Chapter 8.276 — APPROVED SS & PUD DISTRICT REGULATIONS (SPECIA…
    74. Chapter 8.280 — USE PERMITS.
    75. Chapter 8.284 — LEGAL LOT REQUIREMENT, ZONING & BUILDING VIOLA…
    76. Chapter 8.288 — MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PRE-APPLICATION PROCEDURES.
    77. Chapter 8.292 — RM DEVELOPMENT REVIEW CRITERIA
    78. Chapter 8.294 — RM-CZ DEVELOPMENT REVIEW CRITERIA
    79. Chapter 8.296 — DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCEDURE
    80. Chapter 8.300 — FLOOD HAZARD AREAS
    81. Chapter 8.304 — ARCHITECTURAL SUPERVISION
    82. Chapter 8.308 — NORTH FAIR OAKS DESIGN REVIEW AND SITE DEVELOP…
    83. Chapter 8.312 — ZONING, REZONING, LAND DIVISION, IN THE TIMBER…
    84. Chapter 8.314 — LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING REQUIREMENTS FOR USES…
    85. Chapter 8.316 — ZONING, REZONING, LAND DIVISION IN THE TIMBERL…
    86. Chapter 8.318 — LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING REQUIREMENTS FOR USES…
    87. Chapter 8.320 — VARIANCES AND HOME IMPROVEMENT EXCEPTIONS
    88. Chapter 8.324 — ACCESSORY USES PERMITTED IN ANY “R” DISTRICT.
    89. Chapter 8.328 — STANDARDS FOR INDUSTRIAL USES IN THE C-1,C-2,M…
    90. Chapter 8.332 — FENCES, HEDGES, WALLS, HEIGHT & EXCEPTIONS
    91. Chapter 8.336 — HEIGHT: GENERAL PROVISIONS AND EXCEPTIONS.
    92. Chapter 8.340 — YARDS: GENERAL PROVISIONS AND EXCEPTIONS
    93. Chapter 8.344 — OFF-STREET PARKING STANDARDS
    94. Chapter 8.348 — ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
    95. Chapter 8.352 — SPECIAL SETBACK LINES
    96. Chapter 8.356 — HEIGHT OF STRUCTURES AND USES OF AIRSPACE NEAR…
    97. Chapter 8.358 — HEIGHT OF STRUCTURES AND USE AIRSPACE NEAR SAN…
    98. Chapter 8.360 — DEVELOPMENT ON LANDS CONTIGUOUS TO RM, RM-CZ, …
    99. Chapter 8.364 — ROAD IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS IN THE SKYLINE A…
    100. Chapter 8.368 — SHORT-TERM RENTALS (COASTAL ZONE)
    101. Chapter 8.372 — CHILD CARE CENTERS
    102. Chapter 8.376 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES
    103. Chapter 8.380 — KEEPING OF ANIMALS & DOMESTIC POULTRY IN
    104. Chapter 8.384 — CONFINED ANIMAL REGULATIONS
    105. Chapter 8.388 — ZONING NONCONFORMITIES
    106. Chapter 8.392 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
    107. Chapter 8.396 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, COASTAL ZONE
    108. Chapter 8.400 — SIGNIFICANT TREE REGULATIONS
    109. Chapter 8.404 — HERITAGE TREE REGULATIONS
    110. Chapter 8.408 — REGULATION OF TIMBER HARVESTING
    111. Chapter 8.412 — TOPSOIL SITE REGULATIONS
    112. Chapter 8.416 — SURFACE MINING AND RECLAMATION
    113. Chapter 8.420 — QUARRIES
    114. Chapter 8.424 — OIL AND GAS WELL REGULATIONS
    115. Chapter 8.428 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION PERMITS AND PROCEDURES.
    116. Chapter 8.432 — INCLUSIONARY REQUIREMENTS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
    117. Chapter 8.436 — DENSITY BONUS
    118. Chapter 8.440 — ESTABLISHMENT OF FEES
    119. Chapter 8.444 — AMENDMENTS
    120. Chapter 8.448 — FORM OF PETITION, APPLICATIONS, AND APPEALS.
    121. Chapter 8.452 — ENFORCEMENT, LEGAL PROCEDURES, PENALTIES.

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