Title 8 — ZONING & DEVELOPMENT CODE
Chapter 8.16 — R1, ONE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
San Mateo County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Mateo County
8.16.010 – Regulations for “R-1” District. ¶
The following regulations shall apply in all “R-1” districts and shall be subject to all applicable provisions of Article 2 (Development Procedures) and Article 3 (General Development Standards) of Title 8.
8.16.020 - Uses Permitted. ¶
(a) One-family dwellings.
(b) Public parks and public playgrounds.
(c) Crop and tree farming and truck gardening.
(d) Home occupations.
(e) Accessory buildings and accessory uses appurtenant to a residential use, provided, however, that such accessory buildings shall not be constructed until the main building shall have been constructed.
(f) (1) Keeping of pets in association with a one-family dwelling.
- (2) Limited keeping of pets in association with a second unit.
(g) (1) Animal Fanciers in association with a one-family dwelling, subject to an animal fanciers' permit issued in accordance with County Ordinance Code, Title 6, Chapter 6.16 .
(2) Catteries in association with a one-family dwelling, subject to a kennel/cattery permit issued in accordance with County Ordinance Code, Title 6, Chapter 6.20.
(3) On parcels of at least 2,500 sq. ft. in size, and in compliance with the conditions set forth in Title 8, Chapter 8.380 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code, the keeping of no more than six (6) of the following domestic poultry: chicken and ducks. Roosters are prohibited.
On parcel sizes exceeding 7,500 sq. ft., and in compliance with the conditions set forth in Title 8, Chapter 8.380 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code, the keeping of no more than ten (10) of the following domestic poultry: chicken and ducks. Roosters are prohibited.
(h) Reverse vending machines at public facilities.
(i) Small collection facilities for recyclable materials at public facilities, subject to obtaining a building permit, provided that there is no additional mechanical processing equipment on site, that collection facilities shall not be located within 50 feet of a residence, nor decrease traffic or pedestrian circulation or the required number of onsite parking spaces for the primary use, and all litter and loose debris shall be removed on a daily basis.
(j) The following uses subject to securing a use permit in each case:
Churches, schools, libraries and fire stations.
Golf courses with standard length fairways and country clubs.
Non-commercial clubs.
Nurseries and greenhouses used only for the propagating and cultivating of plants, provided that no retail sales shall be allowed. The granting of such use permits shall generally be confined to those areas of the County in which the nurseries and greenhouses are already established, and use permits granted to applicants presently operating such greenhouses and nurseries shall normally cover the proposed future development of all property owned or controlled by the applicant.
A second residential unit on a parcel at least 7,000 sq. ft. in size in the Coastal Zone.
(k) Keeping of confined animals.
(m) In the Coastal Zone, Short-Term Rentals, subject to a short-term rental permit issued in accordance with County Zoning Regulations, Chapter 8.368.
(Prior Code § 6161(f); Ord 3423 – 11/10/92)
(Prior Code § 6161(g); Ord 3423 – 11/10/92)
(Prior Code § 6161(g)(3); Ord 4511 – 07/27/10)
(Prior Code § 6161(h): Ord 1427 – 09/27/60)
(Prior Code § 6161(h)(5); Ord 2705 – 12/16/80)
(Prior Code § 6161(h); Ord 3131 – 12/15/87) (Prior Code § 6161(i); Ord 3131 – 12/15/87)
(Prior Code § 6161(h), (i), (j); Ord 3157 – 09/13/88) (Prior Code § 6161(i); Ord 3791 – 10/21/97) (Prior Code § 6161(i); Ord 3791 – 10/21/97)
(Prior Code § 6161(i); Ord 4844 – 05/04/21)
(Prior Code § 6161(I); Ord 4075 – 12/06/01)
(Prior Code § 6161(m); Ord 4777 , 06/06/2017)
8.16.030 - Second Dwelling Units. ¶
See Chapter 8.392 and 8.392 (Coastal Zone) for provisions to allow second dwelling units to locate in the R-1 Zoning Districts.
(Prior Code § 6162, 6163, 6164; Ord 1483 – 10/10/61)
(Prior Code § 6162; Ord 2877 – 01/24/84)
(Prior Code § 6162; Ord 3057 – 03/04/86)
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▸ Title 8 — ZONING & DEVELOPMENT CODE
Overview- Article 1 — ZONING DISTRICTS, OVERLAY, AND COMBINING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 8.04 — ZONING GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 8.08 — DISTRICTS
- Chapter 8.12 — RE, RESIDENTIAL ESTATES
- Chapter 8.16 — R1, ONE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS
- Chapter 8.20 — R1-CCP, COUNTRY CLUB PARK
- Chapter 8.24 — R2, TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
- Chapter 8.28 — R3, MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
- Chapter 8.32 — R3-A, AFFORDABLE HOUSING DISTRICT
- Chapter 8.34 — PUD, PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
- Chapter 8.36 — A1, AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
- Chapter 8.40 — A2, EXCLUSIVE AGRICULTURE DISTRICTS
- Chapter 8.44 — A3, FLORICULTURAL DISTRICTS
- Chapter 8.48 — COSC, COMMUNITY OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
- Chapter 8.52 — EG, EL GRANADA GATEWAY DISTRICT
- Chapter 8.56 — P, PARKING DISTRICT
- Chapter 8.60 — H1, LIMITED HIGHWAY FRONTAGE DISTRICT
- Chapter 8.64 — O, OFFICE DISTRICTS
- Chapter 8.68 — C1, NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICTS
- Chapter 8.70 — C1/NFO DISTRICT, NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT…
- Chapter 8.72 — C1/WMP District (NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL/WEST M…
- Chapter 8.76 — C2, GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS
- Chapter 8.78 — C2, GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS NORTH FAIR OAKS
- Chapter 8.82 — CCR, (COASTSIDE COMMERCIAL RECREATION DISTRICT)
- Chapter 8.86 — M1 (LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS)
- Chapter 8.88 — M1/NFO DISTRICT (MIXED-USE INDUSTRIAL/NORTH FAI…
- Chapter 8.90 — M1/EDISON/NFO” DISTRICT (MIXED-USE INDUSTRIAL/E…
- Chapter 8.94 — M2, HEAVY INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
- Chapter 8.98 — W, WATERFRONT DISTRICT
- Chapter 8.102 — I/NFO, INSTITUTIONAL/NORTH FAIR OAKS DISTRICT
- Chapter 8.106 — PAD DISTRICT, PLANNED AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
- Chapter 8.110 — RH, RESIDENTIAL HILLSIDE DISTRICT
- Chapter 8.114 — PC DISTRICT (PLANNED COLMA DISTRICT)
- Chapter 8.118 — CMU-1 DISTRICT (COMMERCIAL MIXED USE-1 DISTRIC…
- Chapter 8.122 — CMU-2 DISTRICT (COMMERCIAL MIXED USE-2 DISTRIC…
- Chapter 8.126 — CMU-3 DISTRICT (COMMERCIAL MIXED USE-3 DISTRIC…
- Chapter 8.130 — NMU DISTRICT (NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED-USE DISTRICT,…
- Chapter 8.132 — NMU-ECR DISTRICT (NEIGHBORHOOD MIXED USE DISTR…
- Chapter 8.134 — RM DISTRICT (RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT)
- Chapter 8.138 — RM-CZ DISTRICT (RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT- …
- Chapter 8.142 — TPZ, TIMBERLAND PRESERVE ZONE
- Chapter 8.146 — TPZ-CZ, TIMBERLAND PRESERVE ZONE, COASTAL ZONE
- Chapter 8.150 — “S” DISTRICTS 1 to 13 (COMBINING DISTRICTS 1-13)
- Chapter 8.154 — S17 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, MIDCOAST)
- Chapter 8.158 — S50 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, NORTH FAIR O…
- Chapter 8.162 — S71 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, DEVONSHIRE)
- Chapter 8.166 — S72 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, WEST MENLO P…
- Chapter 8.170 — S73 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, NORTH FAIR O…
- Chapter 8.174 — S74 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, SELBY NEIGHB…
- Chapter 8.178 — S75 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, WEEKEND ACRES)
- Chapter 8.182 — S81 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, SAN MATEO HI…
- Chapter 8.186 — S82 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, WEST MENLO P…
- Chapter 8.190 — S83 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LOS TRANCOS …
- Chapter 8.194 — S90 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, MENLO OAKS)
- Chapter 8.198 — S91 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, PALOMAR PARK)
- Chapter 8.202 — S92 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, WEST MENLO P…
- Chapter 8.204 — S93 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, NORTH FAIR O…
- Chapter 8.212 — S95 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LADERA)
- Chapter 8.216 — S100 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, MENLO OAKS)
- Chapter 8.220 — S101 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, PALOMAR PARK)
- Chapter 8.224 — S102 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, DEVONSHIRE)
- Chapter 8.228 — S104 DISTRICT (COMBINING DIESTRICT, LADERA)
- Chapter 8.232 — S105 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, MIDCOAST)
- Chapter 8.236 — S106 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LADERA)
- Chapter 8.240 — S108 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LOS TRANCOS…
- Chapter 8.244 — S110 DISTRICT (COMBINING DISTRICT, LADERA)
- Chapter 8.248 — AO DISTRICT (AIRPORT OVERLAY DISTRICT)
- Chapter 8.252 — CD DISTRICT (COASTAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT)
- Chapter 8.256 — DR DISTRICTS (DESIGN REVIEW DISTRICTS)
- Chapter 8.260 — MH DISTRICTS (MOBILE HOME PARKS)
- Chapter 8.264 — GH DISTRICT (GEOLOGIC HAZARDS DISTRICT REGULAT…
- Chapter 8.272 — E DISTRICT (ENTERTAINMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT)
- Chapter 8.276 — APPROVED SS & PUD DISTRICT REGULATIONS (SPECIA…
- Chapter 8.280 — USE PERMITS.
- Chapter 8.284 — LEGAL LOT REQUIREMENT, ZONING & BUILDING VIOLA…
- Chapter 8.288 — MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PRE-APPLICATION PROCEDURES.
- Chapter 8.292 — RM DEVELOPMENT REVIEW CRITERIA
- Chapter 8.294 — RM-CZ DEVELOPMENT REVIEW CRITERIA
- Chapter 8.296 — DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCEDURE
- Chapter 8.300 — FLOOD HAZARD AREAS
- Chapter 8.304 — ARCHITECTURAL SUPERVISION
- Chapter 8.308 — NORTH FAIR OAKS DESIGN REVIEW AND SITE DEVELOP…
- Chapter 8.312 — ZONING, REZONING, LAND DIVISION, IN THE TIMBER…
- Chapter 8.314 — LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING REQUIREMENTS FOR USES…
- Chapter 8.316 — ZONING, REZONING, LAND DIVISION IN THE TIMBERL…
- Chapter 8.318 — LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING REQUIREMENTS FOR USES…
- Chapter 8.320 — VARIANCES AND HOME IMPROVEMENT EXCEPTIONS
- Chapter 8.324 — ACCESSORY USES PERMITTED IN ANY “R” DISTRICT.
- Chapter 8.328 — STANDARDS FOR INDUSTRIAL USES IN THE C-1,C-2,M…
- Chapter 8.332 — FENCES, HEDGES, WALLS, HEIGHT & EXCEPTIONS
- Chapter 8.336 — HEIGHT: GENERAL PROVISIONS AND EXCEPTIONS.
- Chapter 8.340 — YARDS: GENERAL PROVISIONS AND EXCEPTIONS
- Chapter 8.344 — OFF-STREET PARKING STANDARDS
- Chapter 8.348 — ACCESSORY BUILDINGS
- Chapter 8.352 — SPECIAL SETBACK LINES
- Chapter 8.356 — HEIGHT OF STRUCTURES AND USES OF AIRSPACE NEAR…
- Chapter 8.358 — HEIGHT OF STRUCTURES AND USE AIRSPACE NEAR SAN…
- Chapter 8.360 — DEVELOPMENT ON LANDS CONTIGUOUS TO RM, RM-CZ, …
- Chapter 8.364 — ROAD IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS IN THE SKYLINE A…
- Chapter 8.368 — SHORT-TERM RENTALS (COASTAL ZONE)
- Chapter 8.372 — CHILD CARE CENTERS
- Chapter 8.376 — WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES
- Chapter 8.380 — KEEPING OF ANIMALS & DOMESTIC POULTRY IN
- Chapter 8.384 — CONFINED ANIMAL REGULATIONS
- Chapter 8.388 — ZONING NONCONFORMITIES
- Chapter 8.392 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
- Chapter 8.396 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS, COASTAL ZONE
- Chapter 8.400 — SIGNIFICANT TREE REGULATIONS
- Chapter 8.404 — HERITAGE TREE REGULATIONS
- Chapter 8.408 — REGULATION OF TIMBER HARVESTING
- Chapter 8.412 — TOPSOIL SITE REGULATIONS
- Chapter 8.416 — SURFACE MINING AND RECLAMATION
- Chapter 8.420 — QUARRIES
- Chapter 8.424 — OIL AND GAS WELL REGULATIONS
- Chapter 8.428 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION PERMITS AND PROCEDURES.
- Chapter 8.432 — INCLUSIONARY REQUIREMENTS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
- Chapter 8.436 — DENSITY BONUS
- Chapter 8.440 — ESTABLISHMENT OF FEES
- Chapter 8.444 — AMENDMENTS
- Chapter 8.448 — FORM OF PETITION, APPLICATIONS, AND APPEALS.
- Chapter 8.452 — ENFORCEMENT, LEGAL PROCEDURES, PENALTIES.