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*RMF = Residential Multi Family; RSF = Residential Single Family; RS = Residential Suburban; RR = Residential Rural
These are general guidelines for animals. For other specific animals, land use classifications, specialized animal facilities (such as hospitals, equestrian facilities or kennels, please call us or email)
A Business license is required for all commercial operations (even home businesses). You will need zoning clearance from Planning and then a Business License from the Tax Collector (first pick up the form from the Tax Collector located in the San Luis Obispo County Government Center, 1055 Monterey Street, Room D-290, San Luis Obispo CA 93408).
No grading or grubbing should be done within 50 feet of a creek or stream. No riparian vegetation (such as willow, cattails or other such vegetation) should be removed from a creek, stream or wetland.
No more than 5 gallons may be stored in a Residential Area except in a self propelled vehicle. In other areas, special permits are required for underground or large above ground tanks.
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In many areas, garages may be converted into heated (living) space, but only AFTER a permit has been issued. Residential building standards are higher than storage building codes. You will also have to pay school district taxes for the additional space.
You may only have two garage sales a year for two consecutive weekends a time.
Grading is complicated. It is always advisable to consult with a registered professional (architect or engineer) prior to grading. In general 50 cubic yards of cut or/and fill, or 3 feet of fill or 2 feet of cut requires a grading permit. However there are many other standards, so please call or write us.
Grading is complicated. It is always advisable to consult with a registered professional (architect or engineer) prior to grading. In general 50 cubic yards of cut or/and fill, or 3 feet of fill or 2 feet of cut requires a grading permit. However there are many other standards, so please call or write us.
You can run a small business out your home if you first get a Home Occupation License. You cannot sell retail out of the house, but you can have a small sign with external illumination. You cannot change the residential character of the neighborhood, nor increase traffic, noise or odors to be more than would be expected for a residential use. No employees are allowed unless they are also residents of the home. A home occupation cannot take away from the required two off-street parking spaces, so you must be able to park two cars on your property, either in a garage or on the driveway.
The keeping of a commercial dog kennel, pet boarding facility requires a special permit and is only allowed in certain land-use categories. Please call us with details of your proposed use.
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Noise from a fixed source or from a “use” is regulated to an average noise over one hour of 50 decibels from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (day) and 45 decibels from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. (night). At no time can noise exceed 70 decibels during the day or 65 decibels at night. Measurement of noise is taken at the property line. There are many exemptions to the ordinance including utilities, many agricultural noises (such as pest repellants used properly), well pumps, emergency services, normal household maintenance noise and permitted construction between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Typical nuisances include construction outside of the allowed hours and off-road vehicles. Most off-road vehicles do not have mufflers that will be in compliance on all but very large parcels of land (40 acres or larger).
Noises not covered under the noise ordinance, but rather under the Penal Code (regulated by the Sheriff) are things like noisy parties, screaming neighbors, garage bands, loud stereos etc. Barking dogs should be referred to the Animal Services division of the Sheriff’s Office.
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With few exceptions, any structure over 120 square feet in size requires a permit (even if it doesn’t have a foundation). Unless you are doing minor repairs (fixing small amounts of drywall, replacing the glazing in a framed window, replacing a sink, commode, door, or installing a low deck without a open or closed roof) you will need to get a construction permit. Plumbing and electric work is very tricky and can result in damage, injury or death if installed improperly. A permit is your cheapest insurance that it is done correctly. If you are working on your own house, you do not need to be a contractor. Our plan checkers and inspectors are very used to helping owner-builders, so don’t be intimidated by the process. In fact in many small projects, you can get a permit in an hour or less.
In almost all cases, you will need to get a Land Use Permit on a project (even if it is a construction project). These permits can be very simple zoning clearances (issued in a few minutes) to complex development plans, general plan amendments or variances that are subject to public hearings at the Planning Commission or even the Board of Supervisors. Ministerial permits are issued by Planning and Building Staff. Discretionary Permits (Minor Use and Development Plans) are worked on by staff, but approved by either a hearing officer or a politically appointed board such as the Planning Commission.
Discretionary permits must be reviewed to assure compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A project could be given a simple Categorical Exemption or be required to have a special study called an Environmental Impact Report.
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You may store one RV on your residential lot, but you cannot allow it to be lived in or used as an extra room. You must not store your RV in the front setback area, except for one self-propelled RV which can be stored in the driveway. RV’s are not designed for long term living as they are made of very lightweight materials, have light gauge electric and plumbing and usually are heated with propane, a gas that is heavier than air and can puddle in low areas. Many deaths and injuries in this county have been attributed to people living in RV’s. If you want to live in an RV, you may only do so in a State approved RV or mobile home park.
You may board up to six people in a house with only a Home Occupation permit from us (you may still need State authorization). Any more than six requires a special Land Use Permit.
Setbacks are areas of your property in which permanent and some non permanent structures over a certain height are not allowed. These setbacks provide a clear fringe around your property and are there to prevent walled in looks to properties and to allow emergency personnel access to you. They also help prevent fire from “jumping” from one property to another. Setbacks are in general 25’ in the front, 10’ in the rear and 3’ on the sides. But they vary from area to area (especially in downtown areas and along the coast). Large properties have larger setbacks. To determine your setbacks, please provide staff with your Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN), and we will be happy to assist you.
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Yes there is a sign ordinance. It is to prevent the proliferation of signs and to help reduce visual pollution. No off-site signs are allowed. Commercial business are limited to the size of sign, and many developments have special sign requirements as part of their permit. Small real estate signs are exempt, as are political signs (small yard signs) for 30 days before and 2 weeks after an election. If you are starting a business that needs a sign, please check with Planning staff first to determine what kind and size of sign you can put up (some areas of the County of SLO have regulations on what kind of material the sign can be made from!).
In general, a sign is a device that directs attention to a product, service or organization. It can be a hot air balloon or a mural with a depiction of the product or service, even if there is no writing on it.
Most violations of county code involve improper outdoor storage, and most of these occur because the outdoor storage can be seen from the street or neighboring properties. It is strongly suggested that if you have a lot of items you wish to store, you put them in garages or sheds (remember to get large sheds over 120 square feet permitted). If you wish to store outdoors, then screen the material with a wood or masonry fence that does not exceed 6’6” in height, with none of the storage exceeding 5’ (except for single vehicles). You may not have any accessory storage on a lot that does not have a principal use (such as a house).
Outdoor storage, screened or unscreened is limited as follows:
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Properties under 10,000 square feet |
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No more than 300 square feet of outdoor storage |
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10,000 to one acre |
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500 square feet |
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One acre and larger |
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1,000 square feet |
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A substandard house is one that does not meet the minimum standards of the Uniform Housing Code or may be dangerous for other reasons. Typical health safety issues are:
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Lack of weatherproofing
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Lack of heating in habitable rooms
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Lack of adequate plumbing or sanitation
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Failed septic system
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Hazardous electrical connections
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Broken or missing banisters on a staircase with 3 or more steps.
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Lack of smoke detectors
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Broken or sagging floors and ceilings
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Lack of a secondary exit (such as a window that can be easily reached) in a sleeping area
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Installation of a pressurized hot water heater in a bedroom
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Unpermitted structural work
If you are renting an unsafe house and the landlord refuses to make repairs in a timely manner, please document all your contacts in writing, save all correspondence and inform Code Enforcement. Do not withhold rent without first contacting an attorney or consulting a tenant rights handbook.
All commercial temporary events require a special permit unless the event is donation only, and for a tax exempt charitable or public benefit organization. It is best to call us before scheduling such an event. Even if it is for a charity, if you are serving food, County Environmental Health may have regulations you will have to follow.
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The tree ordinance is different in the Coastal and Inland zone. There are also special area and tract standards. The information below is general in nature. It is safest to call us first with specific property information before cutting a tree on your property.
- No tree over 8” in diameter at 4’ from the ground may be removed or killed unless a permit is first issued. A permit can only be issued if the tree meets certain criteria. If you feel you have a hazardous tree, or one that is damaging utilities or your house, please call us for an inspection.
- Within urban or village reserve lines, trees may only be removed or killed if they are on Residential property, improved with a residential use. Permits for qualifying trees may be issued for proposed development and commercial lots, but inspections are first required.
On Residential Property, you may only store two vehicles outdoors, and those vehicles must not be visible from a public road. A stored vehicle is one that is not used for two consecutive nights. You may have as many vehicles as you wish stored in a garage. Vehicles under active repair (minor car work such as tune ups) are not considered stored.
Commercial vehicles may only be stored or parked on commercial property. The exception is for moving vans which may park on residential property for as long as it takes to complete the move.
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