Click here for instructions to use the online permitting system, PermitSLO.

What We Do

The Department of Planning and Building provides oversight of the unincorporated areas of San Luis Obispo County. Planning and Building performs all land use planning functions to maintain the wise use of land and to help build safe communities including policies, programs, permitting, environmental review and zoning enforcement. 

Department News

Image from Board of Supervisors Meeting Oct 22nd, 2025
10/29/2025

State Designates SLO County as “Prohousing” Supervisors Adopt New Housing Policies to Boost Housing Production.

The County of San Luis Obispo’s efforts to ease the housing crunch are being recognized by the State of California as Board of Supervisors adopts land use ordinance changes to support greater housing production.

Regional Housing Incentives Chart
10/21/2025

SLO County adopts new Regional Housing Incentive Program to encourage more multi-family homes in the region

The Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the Regional Housing Incentive Program on October 21, 2025. This new housing program will help builders increase general housing production, while leveraging funding to help nonprofit affordable housing builders deliver on much needed affordable housing.

Picture of multi-family housing
9/23/2025

SLO County embraced major updates to countywide multi-family land use ordinance.

On September 23, 2025, the SLO County Board of Supervisors adopted a comprehensive update to the countywide regulations related to multi-family housing. The amendments would increase flexibility for housing development to better achieve the number of dwelling units per acre as envisioned in the General Plan.

6/3/2025

SLO County updated ADU regulations for accessory dwellings and SB-9 urban dwellings and urban lot splits.

On June 3, 2025, the Board of Supervisors adopted updates to the local accessory dwelling (ADU) and SB-9 urban dwelling and lot split ordinances that comes into effect July 3, 2025.