Zoning Code Update
Study Session
Sung H. Kwon
Deputy Director, Community Development
February 23, 2026
Study Session Outline
Background
Highlights of Outreach Completed
Community Outreach & Engagement Plan Next Steps
Request for Council Direction
Zoning Code Update Background
History of the GP and adoption
Implementing policy updating the GP
Council appropriation for Zoning Code Update
Community Outreach and Engagement Plan
Plan's Objective: Ensure the Zoning Code Update is shaped by direct community feedback by turning the City's goals into regulations that reflect the priorities and needs of San Mateo.
Outreach Strategy Overview:
Community Meetings: 4 total (2 virtual and 2 in-person) Online Surveys: Up to 4 total
Stakeholder Meetings: Up to 12 total
Elected Official Meetings: Up to 5 Study Sessions with
Planning Commission and/or City Council (excluding adoption for public hearing)
Outreach Highlights
Virtual Community Workshop (~34 participants) – January 15, 2026:
Two In-Person Focus Groups (9 participants) – January 26, 2026 Online Survey – Launched January 15, 2026
StriveSanMateo.org – Zoning Code Update Webpages
White Papers
Building Heights
Commercial
Single-Family Residential
Open Space
Public Noticing
Setbacks
Outreach Highlights
Virtual Community Workshop Key Findings:
• Desire to ensure adequate parking in single-family residential districts
• Strong interest in objective design standards that preserve neighborhood character
• Support for small-scale commercial uses in residential areas when compatible
• Concern about incompatible commercial uses adjacent to residential neighborhoods
• Need for design requirements that reduce building massing Online Survey
Launched January 15, 2026, alongside Community Workshop 114 Total Number of Respondents as of February 5:
• Building Heights – 30 respondents
• Commercial Uses – 13 respondents
• Open Space – 18 respondents
• Public Noticing – 12 respondents
• Setbacks and Buffers – 10 respondents
• Single-family Residential Regulations – 31 respondents Next
Steps
Ongoing public participation throughout the Zoning Code Update process • Additional virtual and in-person community workshops to be held prior to finalizing the Zoning Code
• Equity Priority Communities
Future outreach tools to increase awareness and participation, including print newsletters and flyers; social media and eNews/eBlasts; press releases; and StriveSanMateo.org updates
Public Review Draft Zoning Code: Planning Commission Study Session will provide feedback and direction for changes
Final Zoning Code:
• Planning Commission review and recommendation
• City Council review and final adoption
Anticipated Zoning Code Update Adoption Timeline: Summer 2027 City Council Direction
1) Any specific direction on the six white paper topics (Building Height, Commercial Uses, Open Spaces, Public Noticing,
Setbacks/Buffers and Single-Family Regulations)?
2) Are there additional topics that should have in-depth analysis in a white paper?
3) Does the proposed Outreach and Engagement Plan align with project objectives and meet Council expectations?
4) Any other direction for the team as the Comprehensive Zoning Code Update effort moves forward?
Thank You!
Sung H. Kwon
Deputy Director, Community Development
[email protected]