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Planning Applications
Single-Family homes and Duplexes are typically located within the R-1 and R-2 zones. New residential structures and some residential additions require either an Administrative Review by staff or review by the Planning Commission.
Please note that boundary surveys are required for new homes, additions, and Accessory Dwelling Units within 3 inches of the required setback.
Accessory Dwelling units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs) do not require review and can proceed with a building permit application. Some typical reviews by Staff or the Planning Commission include:
Administrative Review (with adjacent neighbor notification)
- Projects that exceed the Floor Area Threshold for the property but which have a floor area ratio of 0.62 or less
- Setback exceptions with deviation of 2' or less
- Lot Coverage
- In the R-1 zone, lot coverage resulting in 80-110% of the permitted floor area threshold
- In the R-2 zone, lot coverage resulting in 100-110% of the permitted floor area threshold
- Lot coverages resulting in greater than 110% of the permitted floor area threshold will require Planning Commission Review (300' notice)
- Impervious surface coverage
- In the R-1 zone, impervious surfaces resulting in more than 80% of the total lot area
- In the R-2 zone, impervious surfaces resulting in more than 85% of the total lot area
- In all front setback areas, impervious surfaces are limited to 60%
- Impervious surfaces exceeding allowed impervious surfaces by 10% or greater will require Planning Commission Review (300' notice)
- Heights
- New structures or additions that exceed the permitted maximum heights by up to 3 feet.
- New structures or additions exceeding maximum height by more than 3 feet will require Planning Commission Review (300' notice).
Planning Commission Review (300' Notice)
- Projects that exceed the Floor Area Threshold for the property and which have a floor area ratio of 0.62 or more
- Lot coverages resulting in greater than 110% of the permitted floor area threshold
- Impervious surfaces exceeding 10% or greater of the permitted lot coverage of the zone
- New structures or additions exceeding maximum heights by more than 3 feet
- New or modified third stories, where any part of the three stories lie within the same vertical plane
- Second story front decks larger than 72 sq. ft. and have a front depth less than 6 feet.
- Any transparent second story windows, decks or any other transparent openings facing an interior side yard adjacent to an abutting property, in which the abutting property has a side yard greater than ten feet.
A review of all signs is required to verify compliance with the sign ordinance or with the sign program for the property or shopping center.
A Sign Review Application must be submitted for all signage pursuant to Section 12.104 of the San Bruno Municipal Code. Speak with a Planner prior to submittal. For questions, contact the Community Development Department at (650) 616-7074 or email planning@sanbruno.ca.gov and a planner can assist you.
This application is generally used for most planning projects, staff-level reviews, and for projects that include multiple types of reviews or requests. Use this application if you are applying for:
- Zoning Letters/Certificate of Use Compliance
- Conditional Use Permits
- Variances
- Planned Develoment Permits
- Architectural Review for Commercial and Industrial Projects
- Outdoor Dining Permits
- Ministerial Multi-family housing reviews
- Planned Unit Permits (PUP)
- Housing projects pursuant to SB 330, Density Bonus Law, or SB 35
- Subdivisions or Lot Line Adjustments
- ALUC Reviews
- Development Agreements
- Rezonings or Zoning Text Amendments
- Parking Compliance Permits - including AB 2097 Compliance
- General Plan Amendments
- Community Development Director determinations
- Pre-Application reviews
Click here to access the Planning Application
Temporary Uses allow a specific type of use for a short-term period on private property. Examples include festivals, outdoor sales, Christmas Tree sales, Pumpkin Patch sales, or the use of temporary structures.
Appeals to the decision of the Community Development Director or Planning Commission require the completion of an appeal application and payment of application fee within 10 days of a decision.
Click here to access the Appeal Application
This application is generally used for multi-family residential projects that are seeking a Density Bonus pursuant to San Bruno Municipal Code section Chapter 12.250. Please reach out to a Planner to ensure that your project qualifies for a Density Bonus or if you need assistance in completing an application.
Click here to access the Density Bonus Project Supplemental Application
This application is generally used for single-family residential projects that are seeking a SB-9 duplex unit or lot split pursuant to Senate Bill 9: The California HOME Act. Please reach out to a Planner to ensure that your project qualifies for SB-9 or if you need assistance in completing an application.
Click here to access the SB-9 Application