City of San Mateo Law Library
City of San Mateo Municipal Code.

27.04.075 BUILDING.

"Building" means any structure with substantial walls and roof securely affixed to the land and entirely separated on all sides from any other structure by space or by walls in which there are no communicating doors, windows or opening, and which is designed or intended for the shelter, enclosure or protection of persons, animals, chattels or property of any kind.

Any structure with interior areas not normally accessible for human use, such as gas holders, oil tanks, water tanks, grain elevators, coal bunkers, oil cracking towers, and other similar structures are not considered as buildings.

(a) "Completely enclosed building" means a building separated on all sides from the adjacent open space, or from other buildings or other structures, by a permanent roof and by exterior walls or party walls, pierced only by windows and normal entrance or exit doors.

(b) "Detached building" means a building separated by at least four feet of space open to the sky from any other building on the same zoning plot.

(c) "Existing building" means a building erected prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title, or one for which a legal building permit has been issued.

(d) "Principal building" means a building in which is conducted the principal use of the lot on which it is situated.

(e) "Public building" means a building principally occupied by the Federal, State, County or City government, or any political subdivision agency, or instrumentality thereof.

(f) "Temporary building" means a building not permanently attached to the ground by fixed foundation, piers or substructure.