South San Francisco · Land use · Private school
Where is a private school allowed in South San Francisco?
In South San Francisco, a private school is needs a permit in 17 (RL-8, RM-22, RH-37.5, RH-50, RH-180 and 12 more) and not allowed in 6 (South San Francisco use tables, read October 2026).
Key points
- Needs a permit: RL-8, RM-22, RH-37.5, RH-50, RH-180, DRL, DRM, DRH and 9 more
- Not allowed: RL-2.2, GAC, MIM, MIH, PR and OS
Find your lot's zone on the city zoning map, then read its row. Every status below was read from the South San Francisco 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 private school can go
South San Francisco's code calls this use “Schools, Public or Private”. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| RL-8 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.070.002 |
| RM-22 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.070.002 |
| RH-37.5 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.070.002 |
| RH-50 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.070.002 |
| RH-180 | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.070.002 |
| DRL Downtown Residential Low | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.080.002 |
| DRM Downtown Residential Medium | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.080.002 |
| DRH Downtown Residential High | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.080.002 |
| DRC | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.090.002 |
| LNC | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.090.002 |
| DTC | Needs a minor use permit | § 20.090.002 |
| ETC | Needs a minor use permit | § 20.090.002 |
| CC | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.100.002 |
| BTP-M | Needs a minor use permit | § 20.100.002 |
| BTP-H | Needs a minor use permit | § 20.100.002 |
| PQP | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.110.002 |
| S | Needs a conditional use permit | § 20.110.002 |
Zones where it is not allowed
What else applies
- Row covers public and private schools together. 'College and Trade School, Public or Private' is a separate row. BPO cell is blank in Table 20.100.002. Combined headers: 'RH-37.5 and RH-50' is one column (given as two zones); 'BTP-M & GMP' and 'BTP-H & OPSP' are two-district columns (GMP and OPSP are not given as separate cells). PD districts follow their PD Plan (S6).
- Not covered here: PD (Planned Development) districts: S6 sends uses to each PD Plan; Specific Plan districts (S10 is only the Specific Plan chapter); Chapter 20.040 definitions and Chapter 20.350 standards (group residential, community assembly size, day care) are not in the packet. Overlay zones and specific plans can also change the answer.
Other uses in South San Francisco
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a private school in the RL-8 zone in South San Francisco?
Only with a conditional use permit. South San Francisco's use table lists it that way in RL-8 (§ 20.070.002).
Can I have a private school in the RL-2.2 zone in South San Francisco?
No. South San Francisco's use table does not allow it in RL-2.2 (§ 20.070.002).
General information, not legal advice.
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