Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Burlingame, California
Burlingame is a city in San Mateo County, California. Burlingame adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Burlingame’s rules apply, not the county’s. 5 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 22, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the San Mateo County page.
Answers from the rulebook for Burlingame
Burlingame’s own rules
Building permitRequired
Sewer pipe installation, sewer cleanout installation or sewer pipe repair inside Burlingame city limits
Encroachment permits are also required for this work, per the same page.
Sewer lateral tests required with a building permit are overseen under that permit, per the Public Works summary in search results (not opened).
“building and encroachment permits are required for sewer pipe for installation for the cleanout and/or sewer pipe repair.”
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Land inside Burlingame city limits, regulated by the City of Burlingame zoning ordinance (Title 25 of the Burlingame Municipal Code)
The city page identifies Title 25 as the city's own zoning ordinance and says the ordinance regulates use and development of land within the city.
District-level standards in Title 25 were not opened; see followups.
“zoning ordinance (title 25) of the burlingame municipal code the zoning ordinance is intended to regulate the use and development of land within the city”
Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)
Zoning districts and zoning map for land inside Burlingame city limits
The city divides its area into residential, commercial and industrial zones; the zoning map is an interactive city map.
District dimensional standards were not opened.
“the city is divided into various residential, commercial and industrial zones.”
Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)
New construction on land inside Burlingame city limits served by the City sewer system
The city page says new construction needs a new connection on the City sewer main; existing connections are removed and capped if abandoned.
Water connection rules were not verified. Title 15 (water and sewers) is listed on the eCode360 landing page but its text was not opened.
“sewer piping for new construction shall require a new connection on the city's sewer main.”
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Land divisions inside Burlingame city limits under the City's subdivision title (Title 26)
The eCode360 landing page lists the Title 26 subdivisions chapter range; the code is listed as including legislation through ord. no. 2053 adopted september 8, 2026.
Title 26 text, approval steps and lot standards were not opened.
Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.
Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Burlingame publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. San Mateo County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Burlingame means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
