The following materials are available for download and at the Planning counter in City Hall. Please note that Acrobat Reader is required to view the documents. Obtain Acrobat Reader at no cost.

If you have any questions about these documents or are looking for information not shown here, please email us. You may also call the planner on duty at (650) 522-7212 or call the Planning Division general office line at (650) 522-7202.

PLANNING APPLICATION PROCESSING GUIDES

• The Planning Application Guide
• The Planning Application Forms
• Preliminary Application For Housing Development (SB330)
• Planning Application Checklist - Single Family
• Planning Application Checklist - Non-Single Family (including SB330)

OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS

The following Objective Design Standards (ODS) are applicable to all multi-family and residential mixed-use projects with two or more units and where at least two-thirds of the development is designated for residential use. Applicants may elect to pursue a discretionary design process pursuant to the City’s Design Guidelines in lieu of designing to the Objective Design Standards.

•  Multi-Family and Residential Mixed-Use Objective Design Standards
• San Mateo Objective Design Standards Checklist

DESIGN GUIDELINES

These Guidelines address how a building’s size, architectural character, and relationship to the street and nearby structures contribute to successful neighborhoods.

• Single-Family Dwelling Design Guidelines
• Multi-Family Design Guidelines
• Small Lot Multi-Family Design Guidelines
• Duplex Design Guidelines
• Downtown Retail Core & Downtown Historic District Design Guidelines
  • Vision of the Gateway
• Mid and South El Camino Real 40-55 Foot Building Height Design Guidelines
• Bay Meadows Phase II Design Guidelines and Development Standards

PLANS AND POLICIES

• General Plan 2040
• Housing Element
• Climate Action Plan
• San Mateo Rail Corridor Transit-Oriented Development Plan
• Bay Meadows Specific Plan (Phase I)
• Bay Meadows Specific Plan Amendment (Phase II)
• Hillsdale Station Area Plan
• El Camino Real Master Plan (from Belmont to Highway 92)
• Downtown Plan
• Mariner's Island Specific Plan
• Shoreline Specific Plan
• Detroit Specific Plan
• Historic Survey
• Bicycle Master Plan
• Pedestrian Master Plan
• Sustainable Streets Plan
• North Central Community Based Transportation Plan
• Maps

 OTHER INFORMATION

• Development Fees FY25-26
• General Plan 2040 FAQs
• R-1 Development Standards FAQs
• CAP Consistency Checklist
• Small Second Story Additions to Existing Two Story Single Family Residences
• Historic Resources Information
• Historic Walking Tour
• Wireless Telecommunications Facilities (Private Property) Information
• Guidelines for Preparation of Shadow Studies
• Bicycle Parking Handout
• Community Benefits
• Fence Regulations and Exceptions
• Variance FAQs
• Variance Request Form
• Accessory Building FAQs
• PCN Supplemental PA Form
• Lot Line Adjustment Form
• Noise Study Info
• Public Works Standard Drawings
• Parking Standards
• Tree Grate Standards
• Zoning Code
• Subdivision Code
• Site Development Code
• Protected Tree Information
• Below-Market Rate Requirements
• Sustainability
• Public Works Development Standards
• Planned Sign Districts
• Use Chart
• Transportation Impact Analysis Guidelines 2020
• Civic Arts Committee - Art in Public Places
• Art in Public Places Gallery
• Slope Development Standards
• TUP Guide
• General Plan Vision 2030 (repealed)