Sung H. Kwon
Deputy Community Development Director
Building on General Plan 2040, San Mateo is undertaking a comprehensive update to the City’s Zoning Code (Title 27). The update will align the Zoning Code with the City’s long-term vision in the 2040 General Plan, creating a clearer, more intuitive framework, and will support balanced and equitable housing production, economic development, transportation access, and sustainability. It will also include an updated zoning map to ensure consistency and usability for the public, project applicants, and City staff.
While General Plan 2040 provides a broad, long-term vision for the City, the Zoning Code establishes the specific rules for how each property may be used to carry out that vision. The Zoning Code regulates what can be built on the land and what types of activities and uses are allowed within buildings and sites. It guides the form and character of development, including building size, height, and certain design standards, and includes standards aimed at compatibility between new development and land uses and surrounding neighborhoods.
The City is updating the Zoning Code to align with the recently adopted General Plan 2040 and 2023–2031 Housing Element, including changing zoning districts to match General Plan land uses. Revisions to the Zoning Code will also remove outdated rules, facilitate new development options, and make the code clearer and easier to use.
The update to Title 27 will accomplish the following objectives:
Information will be included here when outreach and meetings are coming up.
