County of San Luis Obispo
The Department of Planning & Building administers land conservation contracts under the Williamson Act, which provides a reduction of property taxes to owners of farmland and open-space land in exchange for a ten or 20-year agreement that the land will not be developed or otherwise converted to another use.
The State Office of Mine and Reclamation (OMR) requires the County to conduct annual mine inspections for all active mines within the unincorporated areas of the county. These inspections include on-site visits to ensure that the mines are operating within their approved boundaries and following the requirements of their approved reclamation plans.
The Department of Planning & Building is required to track the long-term operation and maintenance of post-construction stormwater control measures installed within the County’s Stormwater Management Area. The Central Coast Post-Construction Requirements order the County to establish operation and maintenance plans with private stormwater system owners. The Department records plans that comply with the Requirements, which document the existence of all structures and require maintenance and operation in perpetuity by any future owners.
The Department of Planning & Building administers state and federal pollution prevention policies for stormwater runoff, verifying that appropriate stormwater permits and plans are in place prior to the commencement of construction. Department staff is available to support applicants with determining which permits and plans are required and will oversee implementation of appropriate pollution control practices during construction.
The Local Agency Management Program (LAMP) develops minimum standards for the treatment and disposal of sewage through onsite wastewater treatment systems. The LAMP is the culmination of the actions required by Assembly Bill 885 and the State Water Resources Control Board to develop regulations and standards for onsite wastewater treatment systems. The County of San Luis Obispo LAMP is designed to protect surface water and groundwater from contamination while providing flexibility in design criteria in consideration of local conditions.
The Department of Planning & Building encourages property owners to regularly maintain their onsite wastewater treatment systems for optimal functioning. The Department provides forms for reporting the condition of systems and verifying system capacity for building expansions. This page also includes educational information and quick tips on the proper use of onsite wastewater treatment systems.
On October 27, 2015, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 2015-288, which established the Countywide Water Conservation Program (CWWCP) in response to the declining water levels in the Nipomo Mesa (part of Santa Maria Groundwater Basin), Los Osos Groundwater Basin, and the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin (PRGWB). A key strategy of the CWWCP is to ensure that all new construction and new or expanded agriculture will offset its predicted water use by reducing existing water use on other properties within the same water basin.
