Explore zoning districts, official map resources, and recent rezoning activity in San Mateo County, CA. ZoneWire monitors council meetings to track every zoning change.
Live records updated through September 29, 2026
Updated with meetings through September 29, 2026.
Zoning classifications used in this jurisdiction, from the adopted local code.
Low-density single-family residential estate district (Title 8, Chapter 8.12).
Single-family residential district for detached one-family dwellings (Title 8, Chapter 8.16).
Residential district permitting two-family (duplex) dwellings (Title 8, Chapter 8.24).
Higher-density district for multiple-family (apartment) residential development (Title 8, Chapter 8.28).
Multiple-family residential district oriented to affordable housing development (Title 8, Chapter 8.32).
Single-family residential district applying additional standards to hillside sites (Title 8, Chapter 8.110).
Flexible district for master-planned mixed developments under an approved plan (Title 8, Chapter 8.34).
General agricultural district for farming and related uses (Title 8, Chapter 8.36).
District reserving land for exclusive agricultural use (Title 8, Chapter 8.40).
Agricultural district for floriculture and nursery operations (Title 8, Chapter 8.44).
Coastal-area district protecting agricultural land through planned development review (Title 8, Chapter 8.106).
Rural district managing development to protect natural resources and open space (Title 8, Chapter 8.134).
Resource management district applied within the Coastal Zone (Title 8, Chapter 8.138).
District reserving land for timber production and compatible uses (Title 8, Chapter 8.142).
Timberland preserve zone applied within the Coastal Zone (Title 8, Chapter 8.146).
District conserving community open space (Title 8, Chapter 8.48).
District for professional and administrative office uses (Title 8, Chapter 8.64).
District for general retail and commercial uses (Title 8, Chapter 8.76).
District for commercial recreation uses on the coastside (Title 8, Chapter 8.82).
District for light industrial and manufacturing uses (Title 8, Chapter 8.86).
District for heavy industrial and manufacturing uses (Title 8, Chapter 8.94).
District for waterfront and water-related uses (Title 8, Chapter 8.98).
Community-specific planned district for the Colma area (Title 8, Chapter 8.114).
Overlay applying to all Coastal Zone areas to implement Coastal Act and Local Coastal Program requirements (Title 8, Chapter 8.252).
Overlay requiring compliance with design review standards (Title 8, Chapter 8.256).
Overlay regulating land near airports for safety and compatibility (Title 8, Chapter 8.248).
Overlay regulating development in areas of geologic hazard (Title 8, Chapter 8.264).
These parcels came up for a zoning decision in San Mateo County in the last 30 days, often before they hit the market. See what changed, how the vote went, and hear the moment it happened. According to ZoneWire's analysis of official public meeting records, each decision below links to its timestamped source.
San Mateo County · Sep 15, 2026
Approved · UnanimousExtension of moratorium on detention and correctional facilities, approved unanimously on Sep 15, 2026 in San Mateo County.
Your move: Entitlement cleared. The parcel just got more buildable.
In San Mateo County, 86% of land-use board decisions were approved over the last 24 months. Single-family homes clear 82%. ZoneWire analyzed 22 land-use board decisions in San Mateo County over the last 24 months. Here are the most active project types and how often each one clears.
| Project type | Decisions | Approval rate |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family homes | 11 | 82% |
These are the denials and deferrals in categories that usually sail through, the deals worth understanding before you commit capital.
Get free county alertsThe official San Mateo County zoning map is maintained by the local planning department. You can access the interactive GIS map at https://gis.smcgov.org/apps2/publicviewer. ZoneWire also tracks rezoning activity discussed in council meetings.
Zoning districts in San Mateo County include RE (Residential Estates), R1 (One-Family Residential), R2 (Two-Family Residential), R3 (Multiple-Family Residential), R3-A (Affordable Housing District), RH (Residential Hillside District), PUD (Planned Unit Development District), A1 (Agricultural District). Each district has specific permitted uses, setbacks, and density requirements set by the local code.
ZoneWire reads every council meeting in San Mateo County to detect rezoning discussions, variances, and zoning amendments. Start a free trial to receive alerts when rezoning activity is detected.
The County of San Mateo Planning and Building Department administers zoning and land-use regulations throughout the unincorporated area. The Planning Commission is authorized by County ordinance to review the County General Plan and development regulations and make recommendations on their adoption or amendment to the Board of Supervisors, and it also reviews and acts upon development permits in unincorporated county areas. Zoning within incorporated cities is handled by those cities, not the County.
On October 8, 2024, the Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance that repeals Division VI (Planning and Subdivision Regulations), Division VII (Building Regulations), and Division VIII (Natural Resources Protection) of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code and replaces those provisions with Title 8 (Development Code), Title 9 (Subdivision Regulations), and Title 10 (Building Regulations). The reorganization folds planning and building rules into the County Ordinance Code hosted and maintained by Municode.
Planning Commission hearings are generally held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 9:00 AM in the Board Chambers located at 500 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063. Times and location can change and are indicated on the posted agenda. Agendas, staff report packets, and minutes are published on the County's Planning and Building pages.
Use the County's Planning and Building Map Viewer (GIS) and search by the 9-digit Assessor's Parcel Number (APN), since the database may not reliably locate property-specific information by street address. Expanding the Land Use layer and clicking the parcel displays its Zoning District and Zone Description, along with information on service/utility districts, flood, fire, and airport hazard areas, scenic corridors, and prime agricultural land. For help you can contact the Planning Counter at (650) 363-1825 or plngbldg@smcgov.org.
Yes. All development in the County's Coastal Zone requires either a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) or an exemption, and any permit must comply with the policies of the Local Coastal Program (LCP) and its implementing ordinances. CDPs are processed by the County at either the staff level (when a project is not within the Coastal Commission Appeals Jurisdiction) or the hearing level (for example, when a project is in the appeals jurisdiction or involves a subdivision, Planned Agricultural Permit, or Certificate of Compliance Type B). Certain County-approved CDPs may be appealed to the California Coastal Commission.
Yes. ZoneWire Free sends New Meeting Alerts for San Mateo County at no cost, with the agenda for each meeting. ZoneWire Pro adds full transcripts, zoning and development analysis, and keyword alerts for $39 per market per month.
Our San Mateo County record holds 3 land-use decisions heard in the last 60 days, with the vote where one was recorded.
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