Burlingame · Land use · Single-family home
Where is a single-family home allowed in Burlingame?
In Burlingame, a single-family home is allowed in 2 base zones (R-1 and R-2) and not allowed in 6 (Burlingame use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Allowed: R-1 and R-2
- Not allowed: R-3, R-4, CMU, BRMU, RRMU and NBMU
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the Burlingame Municipal Code use tables (read October 2026). Base zones only. General information, not legal advice — check with the city before you apply.
Zones where a single-family home can go
Burlingame's code calls this use “Single-Unit Dwelling”. Each row links to the use table it comes from. A zone marked “see note” has a condition in the code, for example upper floors only or a larger lot.
| Zone | Status | Code |
|---|---|---|
| R-1 Low Density Residential | Allowed | Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards |
| R-2 Medium Density Residential | Allowed | Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Standards for this use: In the R-3 zoning district, bungalow courts, court apartments, and similar uses may be composed of two or more detached dwellings on the same lot. In the R-3 and R-4 zoning districts, additions to existing single-unit dwellings are allowed, provided such additions conform with the standards for the zoning district in which they are located..
- Mixed-use zones use the combined row 'Single-Unit and Two-Unit Dwellings'.
- State law: State law lets most single-family lots add an ADU and a JADU (California ADU law) and a second home or a lot split under SB 9 (Gov. Code § 65852.21).
- Overlay zones and specific plans can change the answer for a lot.
Other uses in Burlingame
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a single-family home in the R-3 zone in Burlingame?
No. Burlingame's use table does not allow it in R-3 (Medium/High Density Residential) (Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards).
Can I have a single-family home in the R-1 zone in Burlingame?
Yes. Burlingame's use table lists it as allowed in R-1 (Low Density Residential) (Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable uses, and Development Standards).
General information, not legal advice.
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