San Mateo County Zoning Decisions: October 2026

In October 2026, San Mateo County held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. 3 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 3 approved (100% approval rate). Activity was down 27% compared to September (108 activity items across 4 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Resolution directing zoning amendments on data center construction in unincorporated county

Approved.

Board adopted a resolution directing Planning and Building Department staff to work with the County Executive's Office and County Attorney's Office to consider and prepare amendments to county zoning regulations regarding new data center construction in unincorporated San Mateo County. Amended at Supervisor Speier's request to remove 'including the potential countywide ban' language. Sponsored by Supervisors Gauthier and Corzo. Passed with Canepa and Corzo absent. Silicon Valley Leadership Group urged a balanced approach; Green Foothills supported and cited Guadalupe Quarry as a possible data center site.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Recommendation on LCP Policy 8.9 and Protected Tree Ordinance amendments

Approved.

Planning Commission recommended the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution amending LCP Land Use Policy 8.9 and an ordinance amending Article 7, Chapter 8.40 Protected Tree Ordinance, accepting Coastal Commission modifications (definitions incl. major vegetation, CDP applicability, emergency removal notification). Constitutes first reading; Board second reading tentatively November 17, 2026. Staff to correct a stale '20B' code reference to Chapter 8.252 before the Board.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Inclusionary housing amendments in R3-MD, PC-HD and TS-MU districts

Approved.

Adopted an ordinance amending County Ordinance Code Title 8, Article 1, Chapters 8.29, 8.115 and 8.116. In the housing-element rezoning districts in Colma, Broadmoor and the Harbor Industrial area, BMR units must be built on site with no alternatives, and must be affordable to lower-income households with no moderate-income units. The amendments comply with the state requirement that 20% of units be lower-income. Found CEQA exempt under the common sense exemption. Motion by Supervisor Canepa.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 10 instances
• land use: 8 instances
• rezoning: 5 instances
• industrial: 5 instances
• residential: 4 instances

What to Watch

• Land use is new this month with 8 mentions, not present in September.
• Industrial is new this month with 5 mentions, not present in September.

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This roundup was the month in review. For what is moving in San Mateo County right now, the county hub follows each new meeting and case as it is posted. Full conditions and vote records for covered decisions live with Pro at $39/mo, with 3 Project Reports a month included.

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