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City of San Mateo Municipal Code.

27.74.010 PURPOSE.

The formulation and enactment of a comprehensive zoning code is based on the division of the entire City into districts in each of which are permitted specified uses that are mutually compatible. In addition to such permitted compatible uses, however, it is recognized that there are other uses which it may be necessary or desirable to allow in a given district but which on account of their potential influence upon neighboring uses or public facilities need to be carefully regulated with respect to location or operation for the protection of the community. Such uses are classified in this title as "special uses" and fall into three (3) categories:

(1) Use either municipally operated or operated by publicly regulated utilities or uses traditionally affected by public interest;

(2) Uses entirely private in character which, on account of their peculiar locational need, the nature of the service they offer to the public, and their possibly damaging influence on the neighborhood, may be established in a district or districts in which they cannot reasonably be allowed as an unrestricted permitted use under the zoning regulations; and

(3) Nonconforming uses which as special use permits can be made more compatible with their surroundings.