There is adopted a precise zoning plan for the city. Such plan is adopted to promote and protect the public health, safety, peace, morals, comfort and general welfare.

The purpose of this title is to preserve and extend the charm and beauty inherent to the residential character of the city; to regulate and limit the density of population; encourage the most appropriate use of land; to conserve land and stabilize the value of property; to provide adequate open space for light, air and fire protection; to lessen traffic congestion; to facilitate the provision of community facilities; to encourage tree and shrub planting; to encourage building construction of pleasing design; to provide the economic and social advantages of a planned community.

This title shall be known by the following short title: "The Menlo Park Zoning Ordinance."

Except as specifically provided herein, this title shall not be interpreted to repeal, abrogate, annul or in any way affect any existing provision of any law or ordinance or regulations or permits previously adopted or issued relating to the erection, construction, moving, alteration or enlargement of any building or improvement; provided however, in any instances where this chapter imposes greater restrictions upon the erection, construction, establishment, moving, alteration or improvement of buildings or the use of any building or structure than is imposed or required by an existing law, ordinance or regulation, the provisions of this chapter shall control.

Whenever the planning commission of the city is called to determine whether or not the use of land or any structure in any district is similar in character to the particular uses allowed in a district, the commission shall consider the following factors as criteria for their determination;

No action of the city, its City Council or planning commission shall be deemed invalid by reason of failure to comply with or conform to the provisions of this chapter, provided that the procedural requirements of the state Government Code have been met.

All development, as applicable, including ministerially reviewed development seeking a building permit, shall comply with the Mitigation Monitoring and Report Program (MMRP) established through Resolution No. 6356, associated with the environmental impact report prepared for the ConnectMenlo General Plan and M-2 Area Zoning Update, adopted on the 29th day of November 2016, and the MMRP established through Resolution No. 6808, associated with the subsequent environmental impact report prepared for the Housing Element Update project, adopted on the 31st day of January 2023.