Planning & Building

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.

ANNUAL REPORT FOR FY 2022-23

PFF-Annual-FY-2022-2023

Permit Processing Status:

As of May 1, 2021, permit processing and review estimates are currently running past target dates. Permit applications are processed in the order they are received. Please note that applications and submittals that are complete provide for a thorough plan review on the first round. Please monitor the status of your project through PermitSLO. Thank you for your patience!

2022 California Building Codes

On January 1, 2023, the County of San Luis Obispo will be adopting the 2022 California Building Codes. The last day to submit electronic construction permit applications will be December 23, 2022. All electronic permit application submittals received on or before December 23, 2022, will require all first installment fees to be paid, and a complete set of building plans with supporting documentation to be uploaded into the permit case no later than December 30, 2022. Staff will be verifying that only complete plans with supporting documentation are uploaded before they are submitted for review. Any electronic permit applications submitted after December 23, 2022, or those not meeting the above requirements by December 30, 2022, will not be processed until the office reopens on January 3, 2023, and will be subject to the 2022 California Building Code requirements.

Featured News

Artists rendering from Dana Reserve Specific Plan showing a neighborhood park with residents strolling in the foreground and homes in the background. Click to view article, Planning Commission Hearing Continued to October 23 and 24, 2023; Study Session on September 28, 2023

Planning Commission Hearing Continued to October 23 and 24, 2023; Study Session on September 28, 2023

The Planning Commission continued the hearing on the Dana Reserve Specific Plan to October 23 and 24, 2023, with a Study Session on the project set for September 28, 2023.

Final Environmental Impact Report for Dana Reserve Specific Plan

The Dana Reserve Specific Plan Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is available online.

Public Release of Draft Minor Ordinance Amendments

On December 6, 2022, the County Board of Supervisors identified the Annual Minor Ordinance Amendment and Clean-up Package as a priority for Fiscal Year 2023-24. This amendment package includes the Distilleries Ordinance, Guest Ranch Ordinance, Small Urban Wineries Ordinance, Shandon Buffer Update, and Arroyo Grande Fringe Standards Update.

Sunny view of Los Osos from nearby hill top looking out over the bay. The bushy hilltop is in the foreground, the town of Los Osos in the middle ground, and Morro Bay and beyond in the background. Click to view article, Permitting Requirements and Allowed Development in Los Osos

Permitting Requirements and Allowed Development in Los Osos

The County Planning and Building Department has released a memorandum clarifying permitting requirements and allowed development in Los Osos in response to recent correspondence from California Coastal Commission staff.