City of San Mateo Development Plans

At least six new developments have been proposed in just the last five weeks in San Mateo, bringing the city’s total development pipeline to over 6,200 housing units and representing major progress in the city’s housing goals.  

All cities in California must plan and issue permits for a certain number of housing units, as determined by the Department of Housing and Community Development, during an eight-year cycle, known as the Regional Housing Needs Assessment. During this current cycle, which ends in 2031, San Mateo must plan for at least 7,015 units. That means the city’s current development pipeline represents about 88% of its 2023-31 RHNA goals, assuming all units are approved. 

The city has seen one of the highest influxes of multifamily residential development applications in the last two years in the county. Much of that is a result of Measure T, which was passed in November 2024 and amended the city’s previous five-story building limit. Now, several parts of the city, including transit-rich corridors like downtown have higher building caps that make it easier for developers to build denser and taller buildings.