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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:

    1. Churches, schools, libraries and fire stations.

    2. Golf courses with standard length fairways and country clubs.

    3. Non-commercial clubs.

    4. 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.

    5. 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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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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