The following are commonly referenced land use policies, regulations, and guidance that inform development in unincorporated San Mateo County. For guidance on specific permit types and requirements, please visit the Apply for a Permit page.

County Regulations and Development Standards
SB 684/SB 1123 – Small Lot Subdivision and Housing Development
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
Smaller units built on the same property as, or attached to, an existing primary residence.
Child Care Facilities Ordinance
Streamlined permitting for child care centers and homes.
Commercial Cannabis Ordinance and Licensing
Requirements and application materials for cannabis cultivation and distribution.
County Ordinance Code
Collection of laws and regulations enacted by the County that cover various topics, including public safety, health, vehicles, and traffic, and more.
County Title 10 Building Regulations & California Building Standards Code
Building standards and regulations ensure the health, safety, and amenity of occupants and the public.
Design Review Standards
Farm Labor Housing Permit
Making it easier to create housing for farm laborers and their families.
Grading Regulations
Requirements for grading and clearing to promote conservation of natural resources and protect health and safety.
Historic Resources Ordinance
Safeguards and integrates historic resources into public and private development practices.
Inclusionary Affordable Housing Ordinance
Requirement to include affordable housing for certain projects.
Poultry Ordinance
Guidelines for the keeping of domestic poultry (chickens and ducks) in residential communities.
Senate Bill 9 (SB 9)
Requirements for construction in County rights-of-way.
Short Term Rental Ordinance - Coastal Zone
Short-term rentals as an allowed use in specified locations of the Coastal Zone.
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Ordinance
Requirements to reduce surface water runoff and flooding from impervious surfaces.
Subdivision Regulations
Regulations around dividing land to create more parcels.
Tree Regulations
Regulations regarding trimming and removing certain trees.
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO)
Requirements for efficient water use in new and retrofitted landscapes.
Zoning Regulations
Dictates what uses are allowed on properties and other development requirements, such as size, placement, density, and height of structures.

County Policy Documents
Active Transportation in Unincorporated San Mateo County
Colma BART Station Area Plan
Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP)
Connect the Coastside
Required by the Local Coastal Program, identifies transportation policies, projects, and programs for the unincorporated urban Midcoast.
General Plan
Local Coastal Program
Planning document that allows the County to implement the California Coastal Act in unincorporated communities within San Mateo County’s Coastal Zone.
Montara Moss Beach El Granada Community Plan
Establishes the vision, goals for the development and physical composition of Midcoast communities, including El Granada, Miramar, Montara, Moss Beach, and Princeton, including new policies, programs, and regulations.
North Fair Oaks Community Plan

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) generally requires state and local government agencies to inform decision makers and the public about the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects, and to reduce those environmental impacts to the extent feasible. Categorical and statutory exemptions can be found in Articles 18 and 19 of the CEQA Guidelines. Completion of an Initial Study Checklist is required for all projects that are not exempt from CEQA.