Allowable Uses

Find out what uses are allowed on a given property. This is not an exhaustive list, but it shows popular land uses.

Accessory Structures

Structures that are accessory to dwellings (such as a garage, shed, or guesthouse).

Animal Keeping

The raising or keeping of animals as either an incidental or principal use shall comply with the requirements of the Inland Ordinance or Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance below.

Cannabis Permitting Guide

The County of San Luis Obispo, through adoption of various ordinances, has determined that certain commercial cannabis activities 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 or licenses may also be required including any proposed construction or grading activities.

It is recommended that applicants contact the following agencies during the application process:

Events and Camping

Events and Camping

Guide to Zoning and Property Information

This page is to guide you through the process of figuring out the Zoning (i.e. Land Use Category) of a parcel and the possible allowable land uses and permit requirements.

A parcel has an Assessor Parcel Number (APN), and this is how the County identifies the location of a property.  A property can have multiple parcels, and therefore, multiple parcel numbers.

The steps provide an overview on how to discover the Zoning of a parcel and possible allowable land uses and land use permit requirements.

Senate Bill No. 9 (Housing & Urban Lot Split)

On September 16, 2021, the Governor approved Senate Bill No. 9 (SB-9) (ATKINS 2021-2022). The goal of this bill is to help combat the housing crisis by encouraging small-scale residential development on eligible lots (see "Eligible Lot Determination“ below) through streamlining the process for construction of up to two primary dwellings and/or subdivision of an existing lot.