The City of San Mateo has no data-center ordinance and no data-center use category. Data centers land in M1 manufacturing or E1/E2 executive office districts, permitted as a compatible use determined by the Zoning Administrator.
San Mateo's Zoning Code, Title 27, names no data-center use. Chapter 27.56 governs M1 manufacturing districts, which the code limits to light manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution where air emissions, noise, and hazardous materials handling are limited. Section 27.56.010(h) admits other compatible uses as determined by the Zoning Administrator, and 27.56.020(e) allows other compatible uses by special use permit under Chapter 27.74. A data center is classified through that route. A special use permit is discretionary and triggers CEQA review and a Planning Commission hearing. Executive office districts E1 and E2 are the alternative sites. San Mateo County, by contrast, has almost no comparable industrial zoning.
Operating a data center outside a district where the Zoning Administrator has classified it, or without a required special use permit, is a Title 27 violation enforced through code enforcement, permit revocation, and abatement.
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