Chapter 27.94 — HOUSING
San Mateo Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · San Mateo
27.94.005 Purpose ¶
The purpose of the Housing Opportunities Overlay District (H) is to establish by-right residential uses on sites identified to accommodate a portion of the housing need for lower income housing in the General Plan Housing Element, pursuant to Government Code Sections 65583.2(c) and (i). This chapter establishes minimum development requirements and procedures for reviewing and approval of the by-right residential development uses.
27.94.010 By-Right Residential Use Eligibility ¶
The following housing development projects are eligible for by-right approval. Housing development projects that are ineligible for by-right approval shall be subject to the requirements for residential development in the underlying zoning district.
(a) Pursuant to Government Code Section 65583.2(c) and (h), housing development projects in which at least 20 percent of the units proposed are affordable to lower income households, as defined in Health and Safety Code Section 50079.5 , and is a household whose income is equal to or less than eighty percent of the area median income, as published by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. The housing development project shall be allowed at the density allowed in the underlying zoning district and shall be allowed a minimum density of at least 30 dwelling units per acre. A "housing development project" shall have the same meaning as defined in Government Code Section 65589.5(h)(2) .
(Ord. No. 2024-4.)
Cross References Section 27.94.020(d)
27.94.020 By-Right Residential Use Requirements ¶
(a) Site plan and architectural review approval is required under Chapter 27.08, Rules of Procedure. The Zoning Administrator shall be the approval authority for projects proposed pursuant to this chapter that comply with the City's Municipal Code and Objective Design Standards. The Zoning Administrator shall not exercise any discretion in the review process for such projects and their decision shall be final.
(b) The site plan and architectural review shall not constitute a "project" for the purposes of Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code .
(c) Any subdivision of the site shall be subject to all laws, including, but not limited to Title 26 of the City of San Mateo Municipal Code (Subdivisions).
(d) Notwithstanding Section 27.94.010, the following objective development standards shall
apply to housing development projects built pursuant to this chapter:
(1) Development standards set forth in the underlying zoning district.
(2) For a project within another overlay district, the development standards of the overlay district.
(3) For development projects within an E2 Zoning District without an overlay district, the R4 development standards.
(4) For development projects within a Specific Plan or within the TOD zoning district, the applicable development standards of the Specific Plan or TOD zoning district.
(5) Objective Design Standards for multi-family and residential mixed-use projects as adopted by City Council resolution.
(6) Applicable standard conditions of approval.
(Ord. No. 2024-4.)
Cross References Section 27.22.010(d) Section 27.30.010(j)
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▸ Title 27 — ZONING
Overview- Chapter 27.02 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 27.04 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 27.06 — ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 27.08 — RULES OF PROCEDURE
- Chapter 27.10 — REVIEW PROCEDURE
- Chapter 27.12 — FEES
- Chapter 27.13 — TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT FEE
- Chapter 27.14 — REDEVELOPMENT
- Chapter 27.15 — DENSITY BONUS
- Chapter 27.16 — RESIDENCE DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.18 — R1 DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.19 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY …
- Chapter 27.21 — TWO-UNIT
- Chapter 27.24 — R4 DISTRICT—MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (HIGH DE…
- Chapter 27.26 — R5 DISTRICT—MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (HIGH DE…
- Chapter 27.27 — RESIDENTIAL
- Chapter 27.28 — DOWNTOWN
- Chapter 27.29 — RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY DISTRICT—MIXED USE
- Chapter 27.30 — C1 DISTRICTS— NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL
- Chapter 27.32 — C2 DISTRICTS—
- Chapter 27.34 — C3 DISTRICTS—
- Chapter 27.36 — C4 DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.38 — CBD DISTRICTS— CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
- Chapter 27.39 — CBD SUPPORT DISTRICT— CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRIC…
- Chapter 27.40 — BUILDING HEIGHT AND BULK
- Chapter 27.44 — E1 DISTRICTS—EXECUTIVE PARK
- Chapter 27.48 — E2 DISTRICTS —EXECUTIVE OFFICES
- Chapter 27.54 — MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.56 — M1 DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.59 — S DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.60 — SPECIAL DISTRICTS
- Chapter 27.61 — SC DISTRICTS—SENIOR CITIZEN OVERLAY DISTRICT—S…
- Chapter 27.62 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS —SPECIAL USE PERMITS
- Chapter 27.63 — ADULT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES
- Chapter 27.64 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
- Chapter 27.65 — AMUSEMENT ARCADES AND MACHINES
- Chapter 27.66 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
- Chapter 27.67 — OPEN AIR VENDORS
- Chapter 27.68 — MAINTENANCE OF PROJECT SITE
- Chapter 27.69 — RECYCLING FACILITIES
- Chapter 27.70 — ACCESSORY BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES IN REQUIRED…
- Chapter 27.72 — NONCONFORMING BUILDINGS AND USES
- Chapter 27.73 — TC DISTRICT—
- Chapter 27.74 — SPECIAL USE PERMITS
- Chapter 27.75 — MIXED USE CONVENIENCE MARKET/AUTOMOBILE SERVIC…
- Chapter 27.76 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Chapter 27.77 — DESIGN REVIEW STANDARDS FOR SERVICE STATIONS
- Chapter 27.78 — VARIANCES
- Chapter 27.79 — REASONABLE
- Chapter 27.80 — AMENDMENTS
- Chapter 27.82 — MAPS—BOUNDARY LINES
- Chapter 27.83 — SLOPE AND HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
- Chapter 27.84 — FENCES, TREES AND HEDGES
- Chapter 27.85 — DAY CARE CENTERS
- Chapter 27.86 — RECYCLING COLLECTION AREAS
- Chapter 27.87 — OUTDOOR RESTAURANT SEATING AND MERCHANDISE DIS…
- Chapter 27.88 — BAY MEADOWS SPECIFIC PLAN
- Chapter 27.90 — TOD DISTRICT— TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT
- Chapter 27.92 — HILLSDALE STATION AREA PLAN
- Chapter 27.94 — HOUSING