Key Permitting Requirement for a New Dwelling Unit - Residential Growth Rate Allocation

The County's Growth Management Ordinance (GMO, Title 26 of the County Code) establishes the annual residential growth rate for the unincorporated county, based on existing housing stock and the ability of community resources to support growth.  

Prior to January 1st of each year, the County Board of Supervisors determines the annual maximum allocation (allowed new dwelling units) for the upcoming calendar year based on review of the best available groundwater monitoring data.  

For the calendar year 2026, the Board of Supervisors voted to approve a 0.4% growth rate (maximum of 25 new dwelling units).  Any unused growth rate allocations from 2026 may be carried over and available in calendar year 2027. 

All new dwelling units within the Los Osos Urban Reserve Line must obtain a growth rate allocation pursuant to the County’s Growth Management Ordinance.  

Please visit Title 26 of the County Code for more details about the processes and timing of growth rate allocations.

FAQs

Eligible applicants may request a growth rate allocation any time growth rate allocations are available.

If requesting both a growth rate allocation and habitat mitigation credits: Submit a Development Request Form and check the applicable boxes and required information for GMO Allocation in Sections A. and B.

If requesting only a growth rate allocation: Submit verification of water supply and wastewater treatment by email to [email protected] and reference Waitlist to Build position (if applicable).

If growth rate allocations are available, applicants will receive a Growth Rate Allocation Certificate. The Growth Rate Allocation Certificate will be required for building permit submittal.

 

The annual growth rate allocation is distributed to property owners based on three factors: Waitlist to Build (Waitlist) position (if applicable), location respective to the sewer service area, and the time of year. Please visit Title 26 of the County Code for more details about the processes and timing of growth rate allocations. 
 

  • 75% of the total annual maximum allocation is reserved 

  • After the County Board of Supervisors adopts a growth rate and the total maximum growth rate allocations are known for the upcoming year: “Batch(es)” of Waitlist property owners will be notified of available growth rate allocations 

  • Between January 1st and July 1st: Notified Waitlist property owners may apply for a Growth Rate Allocation Certificate, Waitlist position will be prioritized 

  • Between July 1st and August 1st: Any unused allocations for the calendar year will become available to the entire Waitlist, Waitlist position will be prioritized 

  • Beginning October 1st: Any unused allocations will become available to the entire sewer service area, regardless of Waitlist position 

  • Lack of response to the Notice or failure to submit a construction permit application would not remove Waitlist position for future available allocations

  • 25% of the total annual maximum allocation is reserved
  • Between January 1st and July 1st: Allocations will be available in the order of complete requests submitted
  • After July 1st: Any unused allocations are prioritized for the Los Osos sewer service area; applicants may request a growth rate allocation in January 1st of the upcoming calendar year
The Los Osos Waitlist to Build was originally created in 1989 for undeveloped parcels in the community sewer service area.
The Waitlist can be seen here:   

Single-Family Dwelling Waitlist 
Multi-Family Dwelling Waitlist
 
The Department of Planning and Building provides ongoing notifications to property owners on the waitlist regarding any Growth Management actions adopted by the Board of Supervisors. Copies of previously issued correspondence are included below.  

2026:
May 1, 2026 Waitlist Property Owners Batch Notifications Letter
February 25, 2026 Waitlist Property Owners Update
 
2025: 
December 24, 2025 Growth Rate and Batch Notification Letter
September 25, 2025 Waitlist Property Owner GMO/LOHCP Update
February 18, 2025 Allocation Request Deadline Extension
January 1, 2025 Letter to Batch 1


2024: 
December 20, 2024 Growth Rate and Batch Notification Letter 
December 3, 2024 Initial Waitlist Property Owners Letter