Regulations contained in Title 19 of the San Luis Obispo County Code exempt certain agricultural accessory buildings from the necessity of having a building permit. In order to qualify for the exemption, a proposed agricultural accessory building must meet the definition of such buildings contained in Section 202 of the 2016 California Building Code, as well as the specific criteria in Section 19.02.020(f)1.19:a-q of the County’s Building and Construction Ordinance. Approval of an exempt agricultural building only entitles the use itself; separate permits may also be required for any construction or grading activities. Please following the steps to apply for an agricultural exempt building.
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU), also known as a "secondary unit" or a "granny flat", is a residential unit that can be added to a lot with an existing single-family home or multi-family dwellings.
The County offers two types of ADU applications: Standard and Pre-Reviewed.
Click on either option for further information and instructions on how to apply.
The County's ADU Ordinance may be found here: Code Section 23.08.169 – Residential Accessory Dwellings
ADUs are excluded within the Cambria Community Services District boundary and within the Los Osos Groundwater Basin boundary and/or within the Los Osos Groundwater Basin Plan Area.
The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below may help answer further questions.
A discretionary permit, acted on by the Planning Commission, allowing a specific land use.
A Surface Minning and Reclamation Plan is also a Conditional Use Permit, acted on by Planning Commission, allowing the mining of surface materials from a site and requiring the reclamation of the site after the mining is completed.
The County, through adoption of various ordinances, has determined that there are certain types of uses that may have an impact on the area in which they are located. These types of uses require the approval of a land use permit, which sets conditions for the use's establishment and operation. Approval of a land use permit only entitles the use itself; separate permits may also be required for any construction or grading activities.
The steps to request to waive the requirement for construction of curb, gutter and sidewalk, acted on by County Planning and County Engineering staff.
Obtaining a land use permit or grading permit can take a substantial amount of time, and sometimes, work must occur immediately in order to address an emergency situation. In these cases, the County can issue an emergency permit to authorize work to occur immediately. Then, within sixty (60) days, it will be necessary to follow-up by applying for the land use permit or grading permit that would ordinarily be required in a non-emergency situation.
The Department of Planning & Building administers the County's General Plan through evaluating all land use applications for consistency with the General Plan, producing annual progress reports, and processing amendments to the General Plan.
A discretionary permit, acted on by a hearing officer on behalf of the Director of Planning & Building, allowing a specific land use. The Minor Use Permit review process provides for public review of significant land use proposals that are not of sufficient magnitude to warrant Commission review; and to insure the proper integration into the community of land uses which, because of their type or intensity, may only be appropriate on particular sites, or may only be appropriate if they are designed or laid out in a particular manner.
Link to the complete Minor Use Permit process in the Inland Land Use Ordinance 22.62.050 - Minor Use Permits.
Link to the complete Minor Use Permit process in the Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance 23.02.033 - Minor Use Permit.
The County, through adoption of various ordinances, has determined that there are certain types of uses that may have an impact on the area in which they are located. These types of uses require the approval of a land use permit, which sets conditions for the use's establishment and operation. Approval of a land use permit only entitles the use itself; separate permits may also be required for any construction or grading activities.
A road name is required for any road that provides access to more than one lot, or to one lot with more than two buildings or more than four houses. Road names must be approved before a final subdivision map is recorded or before a final building inspection is completed. Existing roads can be named or renamed through petition of a majority of the property owners located on the road.
Site Plan Review is required by this Title for projects more intensive than those requiring a Zoning Clearance. Site Plan Review considers the greater effects these uses may have upon their surroundings, and characteristics of adjacent uses that could have detrimental effects upon a proposed use. Like the Zoning Clearance, a Site Plan Review is also a ministerial land use permit. When Site Plan Review is required, application preparation and processing shall occur as follows.
Link to the complete Site Plan Review process in the Inland Land Use Ordinance 22.62.040 - Site Plan Review.
There is no Site Plan Review in the Coastal Zone.
The County, through adoption of various ordinances, has determined that there are certain types of uses that may have an impact on the area in which they are located. These types of uses require the approval of a land use permit, which sets conditions for the use's establishment and operation. Approval of a land use permit only entitles the use itself; separate permits may also be required for any construction or grading activities.
The Department of Planning and Building reviews land use permit applications for the use of any structure or land for events for consistency with County Code Section 22.30.610 or 23.08.248.
Temporary Events require a Minor Use Permit, unless the property has less than two public access points, a Conditional Use Permit is required to waive this standard.
The County, through adoption of various ordinances, has determined that there are certain types of uses that may have an impact on the area in which they are located. These types of uses require the approval of a land use permit, which sets conditions for the use's establishment and operation. Approval of a land use permit only entitles the use itself; separate permits may also be required for any construction or grading activities.
The Department of Planning & Building issues tree removal permits in accordance with county regulations, which differ in the inland and coastal portions of the county. Some areas have additional regulations regarding the removal of trees. Anyone wishing to remove a tree on their property should first contact department staff to determine what regulations apply to their property.
The Department of Planning and Building reviews applications for modifications to existing telecommunications facilities to ensure compliance with County Code Section 22.64.050 or 23.02.038, and Federal Communications Commission Rule Section 6409(a).