Please read through the entire application process before apply for a vacation rental zoning clearance.  There are multiple steps that must be completed with the Planning & Building Department as well as with the Tax Collector. 

FAQs can be found at the bottom of this page.

1. Check to see if the property is in the Inland Area of the County.
   • If in the Coastal Zone, a Minor Use Permit is required.
2. Check if property is in the Williamson Act or in the Adelaida / Willow Creek Area.
   • If in Williamson Act, read the minimum criteria to apply in the Williamson Act Statement of Intent.
   • If also in the Adelaida / Willow Creek Area, read minimum criteria to apply in the Inland Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance too.
3. A vacation rental is not allowed in an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), Guesthouse, or Agricultural Worker Housing (also referred to as Farm Support Housing).
4. Complete the form below to verify if a vacation rental zoning clearance can be applied for at a specific address:

Wait for Planning staff to reply to the business location verification request before continuing to the next step.

Apply for a Business License with the Tax Collector. Complete the Business License Application and email to [email protected] or mail to 1055 Monterey Street, Suite D290, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. A Tax Collector staff member will contact you within 24 hours, Monday through Friday excluding holidays to review and provide additional required information.

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

Required documents to apply for a Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance in Williamson Act are:

1. Completed Consent of Property Owner Form.
2. A Site Plan of the entire property and proposed vacation rental
3. Completed Land Owner's Statement of Compliance with Williamson Act.
4. A copy of the Williamson Act Contract for the property (obtain from Clerk-Recorder)

If property is also in Adelaida Vacation Rental Ordinance Area, also provide required documents in Step 4 of Inland Vacation Rental.

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 an Adelaida inland vacation rental change of ownership, only the following documents are required to be uploaded when applying for a Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance:

1. Completed Proof of Notification.
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 a vacation rental zoning clearance through the online service PermitSLO.

1. To apply online, click Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance 
2. Click Apply
3. Login by providing your email address and clicking "Next", or "Create an account", if you are a new user.
4. Follow the step-by-step instructions.
5. Upload the required documents in Step 5 and Step 6, if applicable, before clicking Submit.

Planning staff will email the billing contact an invoice. Pay invoice here*.

Once the invoice is paid, the project review timeline will begin.

Please note for all Planning and Building applications, after 15 days of non-payment of invoice, the application will be voided and resubmittal will be required.

Once Planning staff approves the Zoning Clearance, the Tax Collector will mail you the business license.

Contact the County Tax Collector at (805) 781-5831 with any questions.