Building Setbacks & Zoning in San Mateo County, CA (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in San Mateo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
In the S-50 Combining District, layered onto R-2 (two-family) and R-3 (multi-family) parcels in unincorporated North Fair Oaks, San Mateo County requires a 20-foot front setback and a 20-foot rear setback under Zoning Regulations Sec. 8.158.050. Side setbacks are 10 feet where the side property line fronts a public or private street, and 5 feet in every other case.
San Mateo County S-50 District Yard Setbacks
Some RestrictionsSan Mateo County Zoning Regulations § 8.158.050
8.158.010 - Regulations For "S-50" Combining District (North Fair Oaks). The following regulations shall apply in specific two-family (R-2) and multiple-family (R-3) residential districts with which the "S-50" District is combined. In the case where a requirement, standard, or provision of this Chapter conflicts with another requirement, standard, or provision in the Zoning Regulations, includi...
Structure Height Limits
In the county's RH (Residential Hillside) zoning district, homes are capped at 28 feet measured from natural grade, with a lower 10-foot plate height for any part of a building that extends into the front setback.
San Mateo County Hillside District Height Cap
Some RestrictionsSan Mateo County Zoning Regulations § 8.110.060(a)
In the "RH" District, building height shall be limited in accordance with the following: (a) Building height at the highest point of the roof shall not exceed 28 feet. Building height shall be measured as the vertical distance from: (1) any point on the natural grade to the topmost point of the building immediately above, or (2) any point on the lowest floor, if the lowest f...
Lot Coverage Limits
In the unincorporated North Fair Oaks S-50 combining district, buildings, accessory structures and raised patios or decks together cannot cover more than 50% of the lot.
North Fair Oaks San Mateo County Lot Coverage Cap
Some RestrictionsSan Mateo County Zoning Regulations § 8.158.070
The maximum building site coverage area ratio shall be .50 (50%) and shall include all: (1) buildings, (2) accessory buildings, and (3) structures such as patios, decks, balconies, and other similar uses which are 18 inches or more above the ground.
Building Setbacks & Zoning by City in San Mateo County
1 cities in San Mateo County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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