1. Check to see if the property is in the Coastal Zone of the County. 

• If Inland, visit Inland Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance.

2. Read the Coastal Vacation Rental User Guide.

3. Check the County Business License View to help determine if a vacation rental in the urban areas of Cambria, Cayucos and Avila Beach is eligible.

• If a vacation rental is not eligible within the urban areas of Cambria, Cayucos, or Avila Beach, a Minor Use Permit is required.
• Coastal vacation rentals outside of these urban areas require a Minor Use Permit.

4. Check to see if property is in Williamson Act.

• If property is in Williamson Act area, also visit Williamson Act Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance.

5. Complete form below to verify if a vacation rental zoning clearance can be applied for:

First Name*:
Last Name*:
Email*:
Phone Number*:
Business Address (Proposed Location)*:
Business Description*:	(500 character limit)
Security Check*:	Enter security code:

Wait for Planning staff to reply to the business location verification request before continuing to Step 3.

Then initiate a vacation rental business license application with the County Tax Collector.

Please remember to continue to Step 4 with the Planning Department after this step is complete.

Required documents to apply for a Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance in the Coastal Zone.

1. Completed Consent of Property Owner Form.

2. A Site Plan of the entire property, proposed vacation rental, and parking.

3. A Will Serve Letter from the community water and sewer supplier for the property.

4. Completed Certification Form.

5. Generate a Mailing List in Land Use View. Include all property owners within 200 foot radius of the proposed vacation rental. In addition, include main County Sheriff’s Office, local Fire Agency and local Sheriff Substation.

6. Letter.  Completed letter using the Sample Letter Template.

A new owner who applies for a new business license before the old business license becomes inactive can be issued a new business license with a new Zoning Clearance. For a coastal vacation rental change of ownership, only the following documents are required to be uploaded when applying for a Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance:

1. Completed Certification Form.

2. Generate a Mailing List in Land Use View. Include all property owners within 200 feet of the proposed vacation rental.

3. Letter.  Completed letter using the Sample Letter Template.

Then apply for Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance online.

1. Access the Citizen Self Service (CSS) Portal.  

Find the "Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance"

2. Select "Apply" 

3. Upload documents in Step 4 before submitting.

Planning staff will email the applicant an invoice, which the applicant can pay online here*.

*Make sure to add INV to the invoice number (e.g. INV2021-01234), when searching for invoice online.

Once Planning staff approves the Zoning Clearance, the Tax Collector continues processing the application, which may require the approval of additional departments and/or agencies.