The Department of Planning & Building is a consolidated general county department encompassing many functions.

Current land use planning - Process land use entitlement applications including staff review and approval of plot plans, site plans, minor use permits, development plans, variances, subdivision maps, lot line adjustments, certificates of compliance and other similar land use permits.

Long Range planning - As our primary goal, we strive to maintain a high quality of life, sustain natural resources, protect agricultural lands and rural character, and provide livable communities in San Luis Obispo County through plans that are responsive to local needs and vision. Carrying out that goal, the Community Planning Section prepares and maintains the General Plan and the Resource Management System. Community Design Plans are also prepared that encourage excellence in building design, cohesive and pedestrian oriented layouts, and streetscape improvements that help stimulate economic vitality and enhance downtown charm. The Housing and Economic Development Section administers state and federal grants such as the Community Development Block Grant program that supports a variety of affordable housing programs and promotes economic growth and vitality. Behind the scenes is the very active Geographic Information System (GIS) & Design Section that prepare land and population based data, maintains official land use category maps, and helps analyze various projects for the Department and outside agencies. Much of the data and maps produced by the Department are available free of charge on this website.  View our staff directory for Long Range planning staff contact information.

Building permit issuance - Process and issue building and grading permits, plan reviews.

Building inspections - Field inspection of all projects requiring construction or grading approval, administration of codes related to substandard housing violations and dangerous buildings.

Energy and natural resources planning and project review - Evaluate and respond to proposed energy and mining development within the county including the processing of all land use permit applications for onshore energy and surface mining projects; monitor and evaluate offshore oil development studies, continue development of proposals for submittal to the state and federal governments for protection of waters off the county coast and coordinate and development an ongoing inspection program for all surface mining operations.

Resource protection - Enforcement of land use codes and nuisance abatement activities, enforcement of substandard housing violations and compliance assurance of conditions of approval on development projects.

Environmental Review - Assist elected and appointed county officials and the public in evaluating potential impacts of land use projects, both private and county, on environmental resources as required by the California Public Resources Code.

Public Services - Respond to a variety of general inquiries about land use regulations and building permit and provide ordinance interpretation, conduct initial review and acceptance of all permit applications and appeals, as well as manage road naming and addressing.

Boards and Commissions- The department supports or partially staffs a number of county and community boards and commissions. The following is a brief discussion of the major boards and commissions and their makeup.

• San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission - A five-member citizen commission appointed by the Board of Supervisors to act on behalf of the Board and make recommendations to the Board on planning matters. The current membership is as follows:
  
  • District 1 - Bob Roos
    
  • District 2 - Anne Wyatt
    
  • District 3 - Penny Rappa
    
  • District 4 - Eugene Mehlschau
    
  • District 5 - Sarah Christie
    
• County Subdivision Review Board - A technical advisory board that acts on behalf of the Board of Supervisors and makes recommendations to the Board on subdivision related planning matters. It consists of appointed staff members from the Planning and Building Dept., Public Works Dept., County Fire Dept. and Air Pollution Control District. The current membership is as follows:
  
  • Public Works Dept. - Glenn Marshall
    
  • Health Dept. - Richard Lichtenfels
    
  • Environmental Division - John Nall
    
  • Planning & Building - John Euphrat
    
  • Air Pollution Control Dist. - Aeron Arlin-Genet
    
• County Airport Land Use Commission - Advisory agency created to discuss, study and make recommendations related to problems associated with and surrounding airports within San Luis Obispo County. The current membership is as follows:
  
• Terry Orton
• James "Mac" Gleim
• Gerrit Vanderziel
• Richard Pottratz
• Roger Oxborrow
• Robert Tefft
• Allen Settle
  
• County Board of Construction Appeals - A hearing body whose members represent the construction industry, the design professions, and the general public. If a person wishes to appeal a code interpretation or decision of the building official, this board would hear such an appeal. Its decisions are final - that is, they may not be appealed to the Board of Supervisors.