The Planning and Building Department is responsible for the preparation of plans and regulations which guide the future development of San Mateo County and for the review of private and public development projects to assure that they conform to those plans. We also review building plans and inspect construction to assure that it complies with building codes and other construction regulations. Our jurisdiction is generally limited to the unincorporated area of the County (the area outside city limits), although we do participate in several County-wide planning efforts. Each city in the County has its own planning and building inspection departments.
Our office is organized into two units which provide a broad range of services:
Development Review Center -
Building Inspection, Current Planning, Public Works, Geotechnical
The Development Review Center (DRC) is the County's one-stop permit center, where all of the County's major development review functions are located. The DRC includes Building Inspection, which administers the building code; Current Planning, which administers the County subdivision and zoning regulations; and representatives of the Public Works Department who deal with roads, other public improvements and geotechnical review of development proposals. The DRC also includes a Design Review section which evaluates and approves the design of new development in certain areas of the County and a Code Compliance section which handles nuisance complaints and code enforcement.
Current Planning is also responsible for the County's administration of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which requires that public agencies evaluate in advance the potential environmental consequences of their actions. It also administers the County's timber harvesting, surface mining and oil and gas regulations.
Long Range Planning
The Long Range Planning unit is responsible for preparing and updating the County General Plan as well as local plans for various unincorporated areas and communities within the County. Those include the County's Local Coastal Plan which applies to that portion of the County within the California Coastal Zone. Long Range Planning also prepares and updates development regulations, such as the zoning and subdivision ordinances, and is involved in some functional plans such as for the disposition of hazardous materials. It also provides support to several regional planning bodies, especially those related to airports and their impacts. This unit also prepares and maintains a variety of statistics and other data about the County. For statistical information, call Alison Sand at (650)-363-1828.
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What is the Planning Commission?
The Planning Commission is established by County ordinance to review the County General Plan and various development regulations and make recommendations on their adoption or amendment by the County Board of Supervisors. The Commission is also charged with reviewing and acting upon various development permits issued by the County. The County Planning Commission's jurisdiction is generally limited to the unincorporated area of the County (the area outside city limits). Each city in the County has its own planning commission.
The Commission Secretary can be reached at (650) 363-1859.
The Commission generally meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Meetings are usually held in the Chambers of the Board of Supervisors, Hall of Justice & Records, 400 County Center, Redwood City. Occasionally, there is a study session on the Monday preceding the meeting, usually at 3:00 p.m. in Room 101 of the County Office Building, 455 County Center, Redwood City. Please chech the current agenda as meeting times and places are sometimes changed.
What Does The Zoning Hearing Officer Do?
The position of Zoning Hearing Officer is established by the County Zoning Regulations. The Zoning Hearing Officer conducts public hearings on minor land use and development permits that would otherwise be heard by the County Planning Commission. This is done to save time, expense and effort, both for the applicant and County staff. The Zoning Hearing Officer is an employee of the County Planning and Building Department and reports to and acts on behalf of the County Planning Director. The Zoning Hearing Officer is often referred to as the "ZHO" and is assisted by the Zoning Hearing Secretary.
Zoning hearings are generally held the first and third Thursdays of each month:
10:00 a.m., Room 101
County Office Building
455 County Center
(or Board of Supervisors Chambers
Hall of Justice & Records
400 County Center)
Redwood City
Meeting times and places are sometimes changed as indicated on the agenda. To contact the Zoning Hearing Secretary please call (650) 363-1862.
What is the Design Review Committee?
The Design Review Committee was established by County ordinance to review the building plans for new development in certain unincorporated communities of the County which are zoned Design Review (DR). These communities are Emerald Lake Hills, Palomar Park, Devonshire and North Fair Oaks on the Bayside, and Miramar, El Granada, Moss Beach and Montara for the Coastside.
The Design Review Committee was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to ensure that new development is compatible with the physical setting of the site and the visual character of the community. Specific design standards for each community have been adopted by the County (contained in the Design Review (DR) Zoning Ordinance) which is used by the Committee to evaluate and take action on each application. Copies of the DR Ordinance are available at the Planning counter at the Planning Division office.
The Bayside Committee holds public hearings on the first Wednesday of each month, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Meetings are held in Room 101 of the County Office Building, 455 County Center, Redwood City.
The Coastside Committee holds public hearings on the 2nd Thursday of each month, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Meetings are held the Sheriff's North Coast Sub-Station, 500 California Avenue, Moss Beach.
For additional information about the requirements and procedures for submitting an application to the Design Review Committee or an item on the Committee's agenda, call the Design Review Officer at (650) 363-4852.
What is the Board of Building Permit Appeals?
The Board of Building Permit Appeals (BBPA) has been established for two purposes:
1. To resolve disputes between the County Building Inspection Section and building permit applicants or permit holders regarding proper interpretation of County construction codes; and,
2. To authorize the Chief Building Official to record notices of violation against properties with unresolved violations of County construction codes.
When any building or other construction permit has been denied, revoked, or suspended and you feel the action was based on an improper interpretation of the construction codes, you may consider an appeal to the BBPA. Likewise, violations the Building Official wishes to record must first be brought before the BBPA, after proper notice to the owner.
The Board of Building Permit Appeals meets regularly on the first Tuesday of the month in the Room 101, County Office Building, 455 County Center, Redwood City, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting is open to the public. Note: Because meetings are sometimes canceled due to lack of business, it is a good idea to check with the County Building Inspection Section before attending a meeting for which you have not received an official notice.
Call the Building Inspection Section at (650) 599-7311.
San Mateo County Planning & Building Department
County Office Building
455 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (650) 363-4161
Fax: (650) 363-4849
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