While Kevin Gardiner served as Community Development Director, Burlingame undertook a comprehensive update of its zoning ordinance to align with the newly adopted General Plan and comply with recent state housing and permitting legislation. The revisions modernized the City’s development code, improving consistency, usability, and overall alignment with General Plan goals.

The updated zoning ordinance uses a hybrid structure that incorporates both traditional Euclidean zoning and form-based code elements. Definitions and use tables were thoroughly revised to reflect contemporary development patterns, modern business types, and community preferences. Parking standards were also updated, drawing on comparisons with peer jurisdictions and ensuring compliance with state requirements that reduce parking near transit.

Results

• Updated the full Zoning Code and Housing Element to provide consistency with the updated General Plan and to meet State housing law.

• Prepared development standards to comply with California Senate Bill (SB) 9, which was intended to promote “missing middle” infill development.

• Simplified discretionary review thresholds.

• Updated definitions, use tables, and parking requirements.

• Streamlined use permitting to encourage new businesses.

• Approval of more than 2,500 new housing units since adoption, representing an increase of nearly 20% to the housing stock.