A. 
Public and Open Space Zoning Districts Purpose. These zoning districts are established to provide areas designated for public facilities, parks and open spaces, and baylands in the City.
B. 
Public/Institutional Zoning District Purpose. The Public/Institutional (PI) zoning district is intended to accommodate public, semi-public, and institutional uses, including, but not limited to, government buildings, educational and cultural facilities, health care uses and hospitals, unique private institutional uses, utilities infrastructure and easements, and rail corridors, lines, and ancillary uses including commuter parking areas. Expansion or development of such facilities should be sensitive to the surrounding uses, particularly when development is adjacent to residential neighborhoods. This zoning district implements the General Plan Public/Institutional designation.
C. 
Parks and Recreation Zoning District Purpose. The Parks and Recreation (PR) zoning district is intended to provide areas for regional parks, community and neighborhood parks, and special use facilities such as community centers, golf courses, and trails that accommodate active recreation activities. This zoning district implements the General Plan Parks and Recreation designation.
D. 
Tidal Plain/Bay Zoning District Purpose. The Tidal Plain/Bay (TPB) zoning district is intended to regulate areas within the waters in the San Francisco Bay and other waters subject to bay tidal influences. The TPB zoning district provides for open space; proper treatment of storm and sanitary drainage; and to prevent structures of such height as may create hazards to air transportation and otherwise to guard the health, safety and general welfare of the people. No development is permitted except as authorized by State law.
(Ord. 2000, 2021; Ord. 2046, 3/2/2026)
A. 
Allowed Uses. Table 25.18-1 (Public/Institutional, Parks and Recreation, and Tidal Plan/Bay Zoning Districts Use Regulations) indicates the uses allowed within each residential zoning district and any permits required to establish the use, pursuant to Article 6 (Permit Processing Procedures). Uses defined in Article 8 (Definitions) and not listed in Table 25.18-1 are prohibited.
B. 
Director Determination. Land uses are defined in Article 8 (Definitions). In cases where a specific land use or activity is not defined, the Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is substantially similar in character. Land uses not listed in the table or not found to be substantially similar to the land uses listed in the table are prohibited.
C. 
Specific Use Regulations. Where the last column in Table 25.18-1 (Public/Institutional, Parks and Recreation, and Tidal Plan/Bay Zoning Districts Use Regulations) includes a section, subsection, or chapter number, the regulations in the referenced section, subsection, or division shall apply to the use.
D. 
Airport Land Use Compatibility. Uses must comply with all applicable Noise, Safety Airspace Protection Compatibility Policies of the Comprehensive Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for the Environs of San Francisco International Airport (ALUCP) per Chapter 25.24 (Comprehensive Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan Consistency).
Table 25.18-1 Public/Institutional, Parks and Recreation, and Tidal Plan/Bay Zoning Districts Use Regulations
P Permitted
CUP Conditional Use Permit
MUP Minor Use Permit
TUP Temporary Use Permit
A Accessory Use
— Not Permitted
Land Use
PI
PR
TPB
Specific Use Regulations
Public and Quasi-Public
Government Facilities
P
—
—
Hospitals
CUP
—
—
For properties within SFO Safety Compatibility Zone 3, hospitals are not allowed.
Medical Clinics
CUP
—
—
Office — Professional
P
—
—
Limited to offices of government agencies only CUP if a non-governmental agency.
Park and Recreation Facilities, Public
P
P
P
Open Space and Conservation Uses
P
P
P
Schools, Public
P
—
—
For properties within SFO Safety Compatibility Zone 3, schools are not allowed.
Schools, Private
CUP
—
—
Other Uses
Rail and Public Transit Facilities
P
—
—
Parking Facility, Accessory Use
A
A
A
Parking Facility, Primary Use
P
P
—
Urban Agriculture
P
P
P
See Section 25.48.290
Utility Structures and Service Facilities
P
P
CUP
Allowed only on City-owned properties and public rights-of-way.
Vehicle Storage
P
P
—
Allowed only if property is owned by a governmental entity and leased to a third party.
Wireless Communication Facilities
See Section 25.48.300
(Ord. 2000, 2021; Ord. 2046, 3/2/2026)
Development in these zoning districts is generally under the purview of a governmental agency or quasi-public organization. Generally, development standards are determined on a case-by-case basis as part of the public review process by that governmental agency or as part of the conditional use permit process.
Table 25.18-2: Public/Institutional, Parks and Recreation, and Tidal Plan/Bay Zoning Districts Development Standards
Development Standard
PI
PR
Additional Regulations
Building Height — Maximum
35 ft.
N/A
Deviations to the development standards may be approved as part of conditional use permit.
Setbacks
Front
20 ft.
N/A
Interior Side and Rear
20 ft.
N/A
Corner Lot — Street Side
20 ft.
N/A
Floor Area Ratio — Maximum
Government, education, cultural facilities
1.5
N/A
Hospitals
3.0
N/A
(Ord. 2000, 2021; Ord. 2046, 3/2/2026)
A. 
Setback. Public access shall be maintained and developed based on the City-adopted and Bay Conservation and Development Commission-approved public access guidelines for Burlingame based on the applicable water frontage as follows:
1. 
On San Francisco Bay. An average setback of 75 feet of the lot (or as may otherwise be required by the Bay Conservation and Development Commission) as measured from the shoreline as defined by the Bay Conservation and Development Commission; in no case shall the area as measured from the top of bank be less than the minimum width for the Bay Trail as required by the Bay Conservation and Development Commission; and
2. 
On Anza Lagoon, Sanchez Channel, and Burlingame Lagoon. An average setback of 65 feet (or as otherwise may be required by the Bay Conservation and Development Commission) as measured from the shoreline as defined by the Bay Conservation and Development Commission; in no case shall the area as measured from the top of bank be less than the minimum width for the Bay Trail as required by the Bay Conservation and Development Commission.
B. 
Maintenance. All areas improved for public access within the jurisdiction of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission shall be maintained by the property owner and shall be available to the public in perpetuity as determined by the Bay Conservation and Development Commission.
(Ord. 2000, 2021; Ord. 2046, 3/2/2026)