Zoning Overlays & Bonuses in San Mateo County, CA (2026)

1 county-level rule, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in San Mateo County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of San Mateo County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Density Bonus Law

Unincorporated San Mateo County grants residential developers a density bonus of up to 35 percent above the zoned maximum, plus incentives, parking reductions, or waivers, when a project sets aside qualifying units for very low, low, or moderate income households under Zoning Regulations Chapter 8.436. The bonus applies only outside the incorporated cities and excludes the rural Coastal Zone, which follows a separate Local Coastal Program density bonus policy.

San Mateo County Density Bonus Rules

Some Restrictions

San Mateo County Zoning Regulations § 8.436.050

To be eligible for a density bonus and other concessions, incentives, and waivers pursuant to this Chapter, a project must provide the required amount of qualifying housing units, as described in Section 8.436.050. The project must also: (1) meet the definition of "residential development" contained in Section 6440.2.13; (2) meet all requirements and standards of the Zoning Regulations, prior t...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Zoning Overlays & Bonuses by City in San Mateo County

1 cities in San Mateo County have their own zoning overlays & bonuses rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

Redwood CityPop. 84,518

2 verified rules • Density Bonus Law, Downtown Design Guide

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