Welcome to the website of the San Luis Obispo County Department of Planning and Building. We provide public services related to land use and development permits, long-range community planning, building permits and inspections, housing services, zoning and enforcement, economic development and other services.
What's New
Los Osos Groundwater Basin Retrofit Ordinances
On April 22, 2008, the Board of Supervisors approved two plumbing retrofit ordinances for the Los Osos area. The new ordinances are needed to address sea water intrusion into the lower aquifer zone of the Los Osos Groundwater Basin. Title 8 requires sellers to retrofit toilets and showerheads in their homes and businesses prior to close of escrow. Title 19 requires builders of new development to retrofit toilets and showerheads in existing development to offset their new water use. The ordinances will go into effect after May 22, 2008.
Pay Fees Online!
You may now use a credit card to pay Building Permit second installment fees, land use or code enforcement fees online. You can go directly to our Online Fee Payment page, or use our Permit Status Lookup to view your permit (if you have fees that can be paid online, a link will automatically appear in the Permit Status Lookup screen). Visit our E-Services page for information about all of our online services.
New Building Codes effective as of January 1, 2008
If you are an architect, engineer, designer or contractor performing work within the State of California, please be advised that new building codes are effective as of January 1, 2008. Read more about the new codes or read a list of the major changes that will affect residential construction.
New Code Example : Guard (Guardrail) Height Requirement - Guards replaces the term Guardrail in the code. The minimum guard height is 42" for all occupancies, (formerly 36" for single family dwellings). Guards are required at elevation changes over 30" even for roof hatches and roof equipment closer than 10 feet from roof edge. Guards for private residential stairs may be stair handrail and be between 34" and 38" above the stair tread nosing. 2007 CBC Section 1013.2.
Secondary Dwelling Stock Plans are available for FREE!
Choose from 11 different architect-designed plans. Visit our Free Secondary Dwelling House Plan Program page for more information and to see if your property qualifies for the free plans.
First Time Homebuyer Program
The County of San Luis Obispo offers a First Time Homebuyer Program to help qualified low income families become first time homeowners. To learn more about this program, visit our First Time Homebuyer Program page.
The Department of Planning and Building issues a newsletter four times per year that is filled with interesting and useful information.
View a summary of on-going activities during the month and fiscal year-to-date, highlighting selected activities such as number of permits issued, building inspections, workload, and more.
View highlights of department activities for fiscal year 2006-2007, including progress on implementing the General Plan, housing goals, and other initiatives. Loaded with statistics and useful information about us.