City of Foster City

Part 2 Draft Regulations: Single-Family Objective Design and Development Standards

Single-family Objective Design and Development Standards is a Citywide initiative to engage the community in an endeavor to modernize the City’s single-family design guidelines, policies, and applicable zoning code regulations into one comprehensive document called: “Single-Family Objective Design and Development Standards.” 

On June 5, 2025, the Planning Commission held study session #3 to discuss part 2 of the draft regulations for Yards, Attached Accessory Structures, Windscreens, Landscaping and Lighting, Fences, and Eichler Homes. Your continued engagement is essential for this process (see link for meeting details).

Please review the draft regulations below and share your feedback until July 7, 2025.

You have three (3) options:

Option #1: Provide your comments on specific regulations.

Option #2: Provide your general comments.

Option #3: Provide general and specific comments.

 

 

1. Building, accessory. "Accessory building" or accessory structure means a building on the same property as the main building, but its use is secondary and incidental to the use of the main building
2. Building, main. "Main building" means the building containing the primary use of the lot and is not an accessory building

1. Yard, Required. "Required yard" means the portion of the yard that is required to be unobstructed from the ground upwards to meet the required setback.
2. Yard, Front. “Front yard” means a yard extending across the front of the lot between the side lines and measured from the front property line of the lot to the wall of the main building closest to the street. The front yard shall include all the yard area between the main building and the front property line of the lot.
3. Yard, Rear. “Rear yard” means a yard extending across the full width of the lot farthest from the street and measured between the rear line of the lot and the nearest line of the wall of the main building.
4. Yard, Side. “Side yard” means a yard between the sideline of the lot and the nearest line of the wall of the main building and extending from the front yard of the lot to the rear yard.
5. Flag lot. Flag lot is a lot with access to a public or private street by a strip of land not more than 30 feet in width at the widest point and at least 30 feet in length, and the largest portion of the lot is situated behind adjoining lots which front on a public or private street.

1. For lots with more than four (4) sides, the front and rear yards shall be as defined by Chapter 17.04 and yards that are not the front yard and not the rear yard shall be considered side yards unless shown to be otherwise on the original building permit plans.
2. On a flag lot the front and rear yards shall be as defined in Chapter 17.04, with the front yard being the portion closest to the street. The front yard setback shall be 20 feet or the length of the narrow portion of the lot, whichever is greater. All yards other than the front and rear yards shall be considered side yards unless shown to be otherwise on the original building permit plans.

1. Architectural features.

   Architectural features on the main building, such as bay windows, cornices, eaves and canopies, may extend into the required yard subject to the following:

   1. Architectural features such as bay windows, fireplace chimneys, cornices, eaves, trellis, open or covered porches, may extend a maximum of two (2) feet into any required side yard and five (5) feet into any required front or rear yard.
   2. Notwithstanding the provisions above, where any setback conflicts with the California Building Code, the more restrictive shall apply.

2. Open porches or outside stairways.

   Open, uncovered, landing places or outside stairways, may extend a maximum of two (2) feet into any required side yard and five (5) feet into any required front or rear yard, provided they do not exceed six (6) feet in height (excluding railings) above ground level.

3. Projecting Balconies.

   Projecting balconies located on rear elevations may extend a maximum of five (5) feet into the required rear yard.

1. No accessory structure or other obstruction more than 40 inches in height shall be located in the corner vision triangles of corner lots established in Section 17.52.030.

1. Where the existing front yard is less than the stated requirements of the R-1 zoning district, the required front yard shall be the average depth of the front yards on the improved lots adjoining the side lines of the subject lot.

1. The only detached accessory buildings or structures allowed within the front yard shall be a single trellis that is set back a minimum of 20 feet from the front property line and not more than twelve (12) square feet in area.

1. Mechanical equipment such as air conditioning condenser units, heat pumps, water heaters, or other mechanical/plumbing equipment may be located in side or rear yards when all the requirements below are met:

   1. The equipment is located behind and lower than a fence or wall; and
   2. The equipment is set back a minimum of three (3) feet from the property line; and
   3. The noise levels produced by the mechanical unit are in compliance with the provisions of subsection B, Noise Limits (Table 1) of Section 17.68.030, Noise, of Chapter 17.68, General Performance Standards; and

   4. The mechanical unit is in compliance with Building Code requirements, including but not limited to setbacks.

       

1. An accessory structure is considered attached if any component of the structure is within 12 inches of the main building.
2. All attached accessory structures shall comply with setbacks and other requirements for the main building, except that a patio cover unenclosed on at least two (2) sides to serve the ground floor shall be allowed to extend into the required rear yard, provided that:
   1. The size of the patio cover shall not exceed 50% of the rear yard measured from the rear of the main structure to the rear property line; and
   2. Such patio cover shall not extend more than 20 feet from the rear of the main structure; and
   3. A minimum setback of five (5) feet from the rear property line shall be maintained.
3. All attached accessory structures shall meet the following standards:
   1. No use of any structure extending into the rear yard area shall be permitted above the first floor.
   2. No attached accessory structure shall be enclosed to form a living or storage area unless it complies with all requirements and standards for a room addition.
   3. The only plumbing facilities to be permitted on any patio area shall be a water faucet and drain, gas for cooking, and rainwater runoff disposal plumbing, and there shall be no other plumbing of any kind.
   4. Ingress and egress shall be directly from the living unit which the patio is designed to serve.

1.  
   1. Front yard paving shall maintain a minimum setback of two (2) feet from any side property line.
   2. Where the garage entry faces the street, front yard paving (including the driveway) shall not exceed 65% of the front yard.
   3. For side entry garages, the area between the side of the garage facing the street and the front property line parallel to the street shall be entirely landscaped.

1. All portions of front yards, except those occupied by walkways and allowable motor vehicle parking and storage areas, shall be landscaped according to the following standards: 
   
   1. A minimum of one (1) tree with an estimated mature height of at least twelve (12) feet.
   2. The ground area shall be covered with plantings, mulch, or inorganic ground cover.
   3. Property shall be maintained in conformance with Chapter 9.52 Property Maintenance.

1. Exterior lighting shall be subject to the following restrictions:
   
   1. Light fixtures shall be mounted no higher than the roof eave.
   2. All lights fixtures mounted more than four (4) feet from grade shall be directed downward.
   3. A motion-activated light may be used if the beam is directed downwards, shielding the light from reaching adjacent properties
   4. No permanently installed outdoor lights that blink, revolve, flash, or change intensity shall be permitted.
   5. Ground mounted lighting such as bollard lighting shall be limited to four (4) feet tall.

1. Front yard fences or walls on non-corner lots are allowed to be six (6) feet in height if:
   1. The fence or wall is set back a minimum of twenty feet from the back of sidewalk; and
   2. The fence’s location is not closer to the street than the house’s primary front wall nearest to the street from which the fence is extended; and
   3. All items stored or temporarily placed behind the fence shall be lower than the height of the fence.
   4. Gates to a front courtyard would be subject to existing regulations for front yard fences.

1. In all residential zoning districts, fences may be permitted in the side or rear yards of noncorner lots if all of the following conditions are met:
   1. The fence does not exceed six (6) feet in height; and
   2. The fence is constructed of materials shown in Section 17.52.040; and
   3. All items stored or temporarily placed behind the fence shall be lower than the height of the fence.
   4. Exception. Wood fences not exceeding seven (7) feet in height may be permitted in any side and rear yard area if all fence material above six (6) feet in height is approximately 50% open.

1. In all residential zoning districts, fences and walls may be permitted in the side yards of noncorner lots if all of the following conditions are met:
   
   1. The fence or wall does not exceed six (6) feet in height; and
   2. The fence or wall is constructed of materials shown in Section 17.52.040; and
   3. All items stored or temporarily placed behind the fence or wall shall be lower than the height of the fence or wall.
   4. Exception: Wood fences not exceeding seven (7) feet in height may be permitted in any side yard area if all fence material above six (6) feet in height is approximately 50% open.

1.  

   1. Materials for the construction of permanent fences and walls along property lines shall be limited to the following:

      redwood, cedar, brick, slumpstone, stucco, plaster, cement, wrought iron, or similar materials as determined by the community development director.

   2. Additionally, clear tempered glass or clear Plexiglas shall be allowed on within rear and side yards of all properties and along property lines of waterfront properties only.
   3. Chain-link and wood or synthetic slats (e.g., vinyl slats) and vinyl may be allowed for commercial, industrial or institutional uses, depending on location and design.

1. In all residential zoning districts, fences may be permitted in the front yard area of corner lots if all of the following conditions are met: 
   1. The fence does not exceed 40 inches in height; and 
   2. The fence is constructed of materials allowed by Section 17.52.040. 

1. A windscreen shall be allowed in a side or rear yard subject to the following:
   1. Windscreens shall be constructed of clear tempered glass or other clear rigid material.
   2. Windscreens may include a frame not to exceed 6 inches in width.The fence is constructed of materials shown in Section 17.52.040; and
   3. Maximum height shall be up to 10 feet above grade or above the top of a first-floor deck.
   4. Windscreens shall maintain a setback of at least five (5) feet from any property line or public walkway easement.
   5. Windscreens shall be limited to two (2) sides, i.e., shall not enclose a space on three or more sides. 

1. The shape, pitch, and height of the original roof shall be preserved except that covers over atria may not exceed 10 inches of additional height.
2. If part of the original design, exposed beam ends, and overhanging eaves shall be preserved.

1. Clerestory and transom windows or openings on front facades above carports or garages shall not be infilled. If part of the original design, exposed beam ends, and overhanging eaves shall be preserved.
2. Windows added to the front façade shall match existing front façade windows in terms of type, opening style, frame color, and frame width.
3. The following window styles or treatments are prohibited on front facades:
   1. Shutters
   2. Projecting bay or garden windows
   3. Mullions or divided lites (grids)

1.  
   1. Mechanical equipment shall not be roof mounted.
   2. Any exterior conduits shall be painted to match the surrounding surface.
   3. Conduits or ducts located on the roof shall be no higher than six (6) inches above the roof surface and on roofs that are less than 2:12 pitch.

1. First-floor room additions are subject to the following requirements:
   1. Located in the side or rear of the existing house.
   2. Set back a minimum of 10 feet from the front facade of the house.
   3. Roof form shall duplicate the roof form of the existing house.
   4. Height shall be no taller than one story with maximum floor height (to top plate) of eight (8) feet.
   5. Shall comply with all other adopted design standards for Eichler houses.
2. Second-floor room additions are subject to the following requirements:
   1. Limited to the rear half of the roof.
   2. Cladding shall match the primary material of the existing house.
   3.  Roof form shall duplicate the roof form of the existing house.
   4.  Floor height shall be limited (to top plate) of eight (8) feet.
   5.  Shall comply with all other design standards adopted for Eichler houses.