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Burlingame, California: what can you build or do?

Plain-English answers to common homeowner questions, taken from Burlingame's published ordinances, with every rule linked to the section it comes from.

Last reviewed 2026-10-13

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
  Yes. Burlingame allows ADUs and junior ADUs (JADUs) in any zone that permits homes, with only a building permit: the Building Division must approve or deny a complete application within 60 days, with no public hearing. Attached or detached ADUs can be up to 1,000 sq ft with 4-foot side and rear setbacks, and detached ADUs can be 16 feet tall.Allowed with a permit
• Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb / VRBO)
  Only in your primary residence, and only after registering with the city. Burlingame caps un-hosted rentals (you're not home overnight) at 120 days a year, with no cap when you're present; ADUs can't be used as short-term rentals. Registration costs $200, plus $100 a year to renew.Restricted
• Burn Permits & Backyard Fires
  Backyard brush or yard-waste burning isn't allowed in Burlingame: the Bay Area Air District's Regulation 5 bans open burning except 17 listed fire types, mostly agricultural, training and fire-hazard burns that a public official must set or allow. Recreational fires using clean dry wood, such as in a fire pit, and cooking fires are exempt, but recreational fires are banned during declared Mandatory Burn Ban (Spare the Air) periods.Restricted

We couldn't download Burlingame's ordinance text for the other 7 topics yet, so we don't cover them rather than guess.