Housing Element Implementation – Zoning Code Amendments

The City Council adopted the 2023-2031 Housing Element on May 20, 2024, and it was subsequently certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on July 23, 2024. San Mateo’s 2023-2031 Housing Element provides a plan to accommodate the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 7,015 new housing units, to support the production of housing at all income levels, and to affirmatively further fair housing for the Sixth Housing Element Cycle. The Housing Element includes five goals to support compliance with state law and to achieve the City’s RHNA – supporting Production, Preservation, Protection, Promotion, and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. To achieve these goals during this Housing Cycle, the Housing Element includes 53 policies with 150 implementation actions. Numerous Housing Element policies and programs require Zoning Code amendments the details of which can be found below. Be advised that there are other Housing Element implementation activities outside of zoning code amendments.

Please sign up for the Housing Programs and Policy Updates email list to keep current on the progress and be notified of community events.

City Contact Information

Steve Golden
Principal Planner
(650) 522-7216
sgolden@cityofsanmateo.org

Housing Element Implementation – Bundled Zoning Code Amendments (Phase II) and Below Market Rate (Inclusionary) Program Update

Project Description

The Planning Division has drafted an Ordinance to amend the Zoning Code and a Resolution to update the City’s Below Market Rate (Inclusionary) Program in conformance with the goals and policies and as specified in the implementation program. These amendments support housing production and the development of affordable housing, affordable housing compliance options, planning application procedures, and minimum densities for residential mixed-use development projects.

The zoning code amendments and update to the Below Market Rate (Inclusionary) Program would be considered through the public hearings as follows:

Project Update 

At the May 13, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, the Commission voted to recommend approval of the proposed Housing Element (2023 - 2031) Zoning Code Amendments (Phase II) to the City Council.

Public Meetings

City Council Public Hearing (Hybrid) 
Date: June 16, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: City Hall Chambers, 330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 
Online: www.cityofsanmateo.org/publicmeetings

Planning Commission Public Hearing (Hybrid) 
Date: May 13, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: City Hall Chambers, 330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 
Online: www.cityofsanmateo.org/publicmeetings

Bundled Zoning Code Amendments (Phase 1/PA-2025-002) for Housing Element (2023 - 2031) and General Plan Consistency with Measure T

Project Description

These amendments further support housing production and the development of affordable housing, and revise requirements for special needs group housing, consistent with state law. Additional proposed updates would address farmworker housing regulations and opportunities for homeless shelters and other supportive housing. 

Additional zoning code amendments spurred from Housing Element programs and policies that warrant deeper policy discussions and community outreach for full implementation will be brought forward in future amendments. Please sign up for the Housing Programs and Policy Updates email list to keep current on the progress and be notified of community events.

Project Update

At the February 11, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, the Commission voted to recommend approval of the proposed Housing Element (2023 – 2031) Zoning Code Amendments (Phase 1) to the City Council. At the March 17, 2025 City Council meeting, the Council introduced the amendments (two separate ordinances). The City Council adopted the ordinances on April 7, 2025.

Public Meetings 

City Council Public Hearing (Hybrid) 
Date: April 7, 2025 
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: City Hall Chambers, 330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 
Online: www.cityofsanmateo.org/publicmeetings[MS2] 

Housing Opportunities Overlay District (H)

Project Description

On June 17, 2024 the City Council approved an ordinance to create a new chapter to amend Title 27, Zoning, of the San Mateo Municipal Code to establish the Housing Opportunities Overlay District (H) and to amend the Zoning Map of the City of San Mateo to amend approximately 40 parcels previously identified as housing opportunity sites, with the “H” overlay designation to allow by-right housing development, as required under State law and the City’s 2023-2031 Housing Element. The “H” Overlay District allows a by-right housing development project in which at least 20 percent of the units are affordable to lower income households, subject to objective design standards. The by-right housing development project will be allowed up to at least 30 dwelling units per acre.  All other permitted uses and development standards of the underlying base zoning district shall remain.

Public Meetings 

City Council Meeting
Date: June 17, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers at 330 West 20th Avenue, San Mateo
Online: www.cityofsanmateo.org/publicmeetings