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Title 27 — ZONING

Chapter 27.36 — C4 DISTRICTS

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

27.36.005 PURPOSE.

The purpose of the service commercial district is to create and maintain a broad range of citywide and regional service uses including major automobile and truck repair, construction

materials yards, and limited processing of materials.

27.36.010 PERMITTED USES.

The following uses are permitted:

(a) Permitted uses in the C1, C2, and C3 districts, except that residential uses, low barrier navigation centers, office uses on the properties along Palm Avenue between Twentieth and Twenty-fifth Avenues, and emergency shelters are prohibited;

27.36.020 SPECIAL USES.

The following uses may also be permitted if their site locations and proposed development plans are first approved as provided in Chapters 27.06 through 27.12, 27.62, 27.74, 27.78 and 27.80:

(a) Any of the special uses permitted in the C1, C2 or C3 districts, except that residential uses and secondary units are prohibited;

(b) Fuel bulk station (flammable liquids) subject to the regulations of Chapter 23.28;

(c) Storage of impounded motor vehicles on an open lot.

27.36.030 CONDITIONS OF USE.

Permitted uses and special uses in the C4 districts are subject to the following conditions:

(a) All activities involving the production, processing, cleaning, servicing, testing or repair of materials, goods or products shall conform with the performance standards established for the M1 district in Chapter 27.56;

(b) All production, processing, assembly, cleaning, servicing, testing or repair of materials, goods or products shall take place within completely enclosed buildings unless otherwise indicated herein. Storage of fuel, building materials, equipment, and all other storage, except for parked motor vehicles and retail and display of construction materials, shall take place within enclosed buildings;

(c) All parked and impounded motor vehicles in an open lot shall have such lot completely enclosed by a solid wall or solid fence, including doors or gates thereto, not less than six feet in height. All such motor vehicles shall be parked or placed in an orderly manner within such fenced lot with clear and adequate passageways to allow free and unobstructed access and movement of the fire department in case of fire. The manner of handling and keeping impounded motor vehicles shall, at all times, be subject to the approval of the chiefs of the police and fire departments;

(d) Such conditions relating to noise emissions, lighting and hours of operation that are reasonably necessary in the interests of the public health, welfare and safety;

(e) When granting a special permit for the storage of impounded motor vehicles, the Planning Commission shall specify the expiration date of said permit and the conditions to be met for its renewal, and may specify periodic reviews thereof.

(f) All uses permitted under this chapter shall be conducted wholly within an enclosed building except as may be specially authorized by special permit.

27.36.040 OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING.

Automobile parking and loading facilities shall be provided as required or permitted in Chapter 27.64.

27.36.050 MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA RATIO.

The maximum floor area ratio of all buildings and structures on a zoning plot shall be as follows:

  • (a) In a C4-.5 district, the floor area ratio shall not exceed 0.5;

  • (b) In a C4-1 district, the floor area ratio shall not exceed 1.0.

  • (c) In a C4-1.5 district, the floor area ratio shall not exceed 1.5.

27.36.055 BUILDING HEIGHT.

Building height shall not exceed the standards set forth on the Building Height Plan of the General Plan.

27.36.060 BUFFERS.

The regulations governing buffers in the C1 district shall also apply to the C4 district.

27.36.070 SETBACK AND BUILD-TOLINE STANDARDS FOR EL CAMINO REAL.

The regulations governing setback and build-to-line standards for El Camino Real in the C1 districts shall apply.

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Contents — San Mateo Zoning Code
San Mateo Zoning Code
  1. Title 27 — ZONING
    Overview
    1. Chapter 27.02 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    2. Chapter 27.04 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Chapter 27.06 — ADMINISTRATION
    4. Chapter 27.08 — RULES OF PROCEDURE
    5. Chapter 27.10 — REVIEW PROCEDURE
    6. Chapter 27.12 — FEES
    7. Chapter 27.13 — TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT FEE
    8. Chapter 27.14 — REDEVELOPMENT
    9. Chapter 27.15 — DENSITY BONUS
    10. Chapter 27.16 — RESIDENCE DISTRICTS
    11. Chapter 27.18 — R1 DISTRICTS
    12. Chapter 27.19 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY …
    13. Chapter 27.21 — TWO-UNIT
    14. Chapter 27.24 — R4 DISTRICT—MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (HIGH DE…
    15. Chapter 27.26 — R5 DISTRICT—MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (HIGH DE…
    16. Chapter 27.27 — RESIDENTIAL
    17. Chapter 27.28 — DOWNTOWN
    18. Chapter 27.29 — RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY DISTRICT—MIXED USE
    19. Chapter 27.30 — C1 DISTRICTS— NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL
    20. Chapter 27.32 — C2 DISTRICTS—
    21. Chapter 27.34 — C3 DISTRICTS—
    22. Chapter 27.36 — C4 DISTRICTS
    23. Chapter 27.38 — CBD DISTRICTS— CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
    24. Chapter 27.39 — CBD SUPPORT DISTRICT— CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRIC…
    25. Chapter 27.40 — BUILDING HEIGHT AND BULK
    26. Chapter 27.44 — E1 DISTRICTS—EXECUTIVE PARK
    27. Chapter 27.48 — E2 DISTRICTS —EXECUTIVE OFFICES
    28. Chapter 27.54 — MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS
    29. Chapter 27.56 — M1 DISTRICTS
    30. Chapter 27.59 — S DISTRICTS
    31. Chapter 27.60 — SPECIAL DISTRICTS
    32. Chapter 27.61 — SC DISTRICTS—SENIOR CITIZEN OVERLAY DISTRICT—S…
    33. Chapter 27.62 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS —SPECIAL USE PERMITS
    34. Chapter 27.63 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES
    35. Chapter 27.64 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
    36. Chapter 27.65 — AMUSEMENT ARCADES AND MACHINES
    37. Chapter 27.66 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
    38. Chapter 27.67 — OPEN AIR VENDORS
    39. Chapter 27.68 — MAINTENANCE OF PROJECT SITE
    40. Chapter 27.69 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
    41. Chapter 27.70 — ACCESSORY BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES IN REQUIRED…
    42. Chapter 27.72 — NONCONFORMING BUILDINGS AND USES
    43. Chapter 27.73 — TC DISTRICT—
    44. Chapter 27.74 — SPECIAL USE PERMITS
    45. Chapter 27.75 — MIXED USE CONVENIENCE MARKET/AUTOMOBILE SERVIC…
    46. Chapter 27.76 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
    47. Chapter 27.77 — DESIGN REVIEW STANDARDS FOR SERVICE STATIONS
    48. Chapter 27.78 — VARIANCES
    49. Chapter 27.79 — REASONABLE
    50. Chapter 27.80 — AMENDMENTS
    51. Chapter 27.82 — MAPS—BOUNDARY LINES
    52. Chapter 27.83 — SLOPE AND HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
    53. Chapter 27.84 — FENCES, TREES AND HEDGES
    54. Chapter 27.85 — DAY CARE CENTERS
    55. Chapter 27.86 — RECYCLING COLLECTION AREAS
    56. Chapter 27.87 — OUTDOOR RESTAURANT SEATING AND MERCHANDISE DIS…
    57. Chapter 27.88 — BAY MEADOWS SPECIFIC PLAN
    58. Chapter 27.90 — TOD DISTRICT— TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
    59. Chapter 27.92 — HILLSDALE STATION AREA PLAN
    60. Chapter 27.94 — HOUSING

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