Title 17 — ZONING REGULATIONS CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO

Chapter 17.02 — PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY OF THE ZONING REGULATIONS

San Luis Obispo Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · San Luis Obispo

17.02.010 – Title

The provisions of Title 17 of the City of San Luis Obispo Municipal Code shall be known and cited as the "City of San Luis Obispo Zoning Regulations" or “Zoning Regulations.”

17.02.020 – Purpose and Authority

  • A. Purpose. The Zoning Regulations are intended to guide the development of the City in an orderly manner, implement the policies of the General Plan, protect and enhance the quality of the natural and built environment, promote the public health, safety and general welfare by regulating the use of land and buildings and the location and basic form of structures, and provide the physical, environmental, economic, and social advantages that result from the orderly planned use of land resources.

  • B. Authority. The Zoning Regulations are enacted based on the authority vested in the City of San Luis Obispo and its Charter, and the State of California, including but not limited to the State Constitution, Planning and Zoning Law (California Government Code Section 65800 et seq.), and the California Health and Safety Code.

17.02.030 – General Requirements

Land or buildings may be used and structures may be erected or altered only in accordance with the regulations in this Title 17.

17.02.040 – Relationship to Prior Ordinances and Other Codes

The provisions of the Zoning Regulations, as they existed prior to the effective date of Ordinance No. XXXX, are repealed and superseded as provided in the ordinance enacting this Title 17. No provision of the Zoning Regulations shall validate or legalize any land use or structure established, constructed, or maintained in violation of the Zoning Regulations as it existed prior to repeal by the ordinance enacting these Zoning Regulations, except as addressed by nonconformities created by the Zoning Regulations.

17.02.050 – General Relationship to Other Regulations

The regulations of this Title and requirements or conditions imposed pursuant to this Title shall not supersede any other regulations or requirements adopted or imposed by the City, the State of California, or any Federal agency that has jurisdiction by law over uses and development authorized by this Title. All uses and development authorized by this Title shall comply with all other such regulations and requirements. Where conflict occurs between the provisions of this Title and any other City ordinance, Title, Chapter, Resolution, guideline or regulation, the more restrictive provisions shall control, unless otherwise specified.

17.02.060 – Relationship to California Environmental Quality Act

When a project application pursuant to the provisions of the Zoning Regulations is determined to be subject to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the application shall be reviewed in accordance with the provisions of the Zoning Regulations, CEQA (Public Resources Code, Section 21000 et seq.), the CEQA Guidelines

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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ZONING REGULATIONS – TITLE 17

(Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Section 15000 et seq.), and any environmental guidelines and other applicable rules adopted by the City.

17.02.070 – Relationship to Design Guidelines

Any design guidelines adopted by the City shall be considered complementary to the development and design standards set forth in the Zoning Regulations. In the event of any conflict between adopted design guidelines and the provisions of the Zoning Regulations, the provisions of the Zoning Regulations shall govern.

17.02.080 – Relationship to Specific Plans

Specific Plans are designed to meet the requirements of the State Government Code and the City of San Luis Obispo General Plan. All uses, buildings, or structures located within a specific plan area shall comply with the provisions of the applicable Specific Plan. If such provisions conflict with the Zoning Regulations, the requirements of the adopted Specific Plan shall take precedence over the Zoning Regulations. In instances where the Specific Plan is silent, the Zoning Regulations shall prevail.

17.02.090 – Prior Rights and Violations

The enactment of the Zoning Regulations shall not terminate nor otherwise affect vested land use development permits, approvals, or agreements authorized under the provisions of any ordinance or resolution, nor shall violation of any prior ordinance or resolution be excused by the adoption of the Zoning Regulations.

17.02.100 – Severability, Partial Invalidation of the Zoning Regulations

If any portion of the Zoning Regulations is held to be invalid, unconstitutional, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such determination shall not affect the validity, constitutionality, or enforceability of the remaining portions of this title. The Council hereby declares that this Chapter and each division, section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, clause, phrase, and portion thereof is adopted without regard to the fact that one or more portions of this Chapter may be declared invalid, unconstitutional, or unenforceable.

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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ZONING REGULATIONS – TITLE 17