San Mateo County Zoning Decisions: September 2026

In September 2026, San Mateo County held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. 5 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 5 approved (100% approval rate). Activity was down 30% compared to August (154 activity items across 5 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

New single-family residence with ADU on Presita Avenue, Moss Beach

Approved.

Planning Commission approved a coastal development permit and design review for construction of a new 2,367 square foot single-family residence (including a 449 sq ft garage) plus a 778 sq ft ADU on a 5,000 sq ft legal parcel in the Seal Cove area of Moss Beach. Owner/applicants Amy and Todd Cowell. Site is in a GH geological hazard overlay; geotechnical investigation found no hazardous conditions. CDRC voted unanimously July 23, 2026 to approve subject to lighting standards. Vote.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Resolution for regional fire training center location identification

Approved.

Resolution regarding identification of a location for a regional fire training center. Convenes a stakeholder working group (including Local 2400 firefighters and CAL FIRE) for a six-month feasibility study to identify a location and funding source. County executive's office to check availability of county land, preferably in central county. Resolution appropriates no dollars; funding to potentially require a JPA or city contributions. Supervisor Speer expressed concerns but item passed with President Corso absent.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Crisis residential facility contract with Baker Street (Item 8)

Approved.

Item 8 approved abbreviated regarding a contract with Baker Street for a 16-bed crisis residential facility. Contract calls for $850,000 one-time startup funds. Supervisor Speer moved to strike 'notification' from the community engagement/city council presentation language, requiring a formal presentation to the city council in the jurisdiction finally identified. Staff (Dr. Africa) agreed to add explicit language. Passed with President Corso absent.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Appeal of conditions on single-family residence with ADU on Coronado Avenue, Miramar

Approved.

Appeal of the Director of Planning and Building's approval of a staff-level Coastal Development Permit and Coastside Design Review Permit for a 1,910 sq ft two-story single-family residence with an attached 478 sq ft ADU and attached two-car garage on a 4,396 sq ft parcel on Coronado Avenue in Miramar. Owner Helen J. Carey Trust; applicant Steve Kelland. Commission granted the appeal and approved modifications to conditions 22, 56, 57 and 58, deleting condition 56 (structure removal) and revising conditions 57 (indemnity), 58 (disclosure), and 22 (walkway/pedestrian access). Passed unanimously (5-0).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Inclusionary housing ordinance amendments for housing-element rezoning districts

Approved.

Minor amendment to three recently adopted zoning districts (R3MD, PCHD, TSMU) in unincorporated Colma, Broadmoor, and the Harbor Industrial areas implementing the county's housing element. Amendments require all below-market-rate units in these districts to be built on-site with no alternatives (no in-lieu fees, transfers, land dedication, or rehabilitation) and provided at lower-income affordability levels with no moderate-income units allowed, per state law requiring 20% lower income in RHNA rezoned areas. Planning Commission recommended the Board adopt the amendments. Passed unanimously (5-0).

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 20 instances
• residential: 11 instances
• rezoning: 6 instances
• environmental review: 6 instances
• adu: 5 instances

What to Watch

• Zoning mentions were up 67% from August.
• Rezoning is new this month with 6 mentions, not present in August.
• Environmental review is new this month with 6 mentions, not present in August.

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