Earlier editions: 2026-09
San Luis Obispo Municipal Code Ch. 17.30 Retail Commercial (c-R) Zone
San Luis Obispo Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-05 · San Luis Obispo
Cite as: San Luis Obispo Municipal Code Chapter 17.30 · Text as of 2026-10-05
17.30.010 Purpose and application.¶
The C-R zone is intended to accommodate a wide range of retail sales, business, personal, and professional services, as well as recreation, entertainment, transient lodging, and limited residential uses. The land uses allowed in this zone will generally serve the entire community and the region, as well as tourists and travelers. (Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)
17.30.020 Development standards.¶
The general property development standards for the C-R zone shall be as set forth in Table 2-17: C-R Zone Development Standards. See also Section 16.18.030 (Lot Dimensions) for minimum lot dimensions.
Table 2-17: C-R Zone Development Standards
| Development Standard | C-R Zone | Additional Regulations |
|---|
Table 2-17: C-R Zone Development Standards
| Development Standard | C-R Zone | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Residential Density | 36 units/acre | See also Section 17.70.040 (Density) |
| Minimum Setbacks | ||
| Front | No setback required unless adjacent to zone with minimum setback requirement, in which case the adjoining setback shall be as provided in the zone of adjacent lot. Lots separated by streets or other rights-of-way are not considered adjacent. If more than one zone is adjacent, the largest setback shall be required | No setback required unless adjacent to zone with minimum setback requirement, in which case the adjoining setback shall be as provided in the zone of adjacent lot. Lots separated by streets or other rights-of-way are not considered adjacent. If more than one zone is adjacent, the largest setback shall be required |
| Interior Side and Rear | No setback required unless adjacent to zone with minimum setback requirement, in which case the adjoining setback shall be as provided in the zone of adjacent lot. Lots separated by streets or other rights-of-way are not considered adjacent. If more than one zone is adjacent, the largest setback shall be required | No setback required unless adjacent to zone with minimum setback requirement, in which case the adjoining setback shall be as provided in the zone of adjacent lot. Lots separated by streets or other rights-of-way are not considered adjacent. If more than one zone is adjacent, the largest setback shall be required |
| Corner Lot—Street Side | No setback required unless adjacent to zone with minimum setback requirement, in which case the adjoining setback shall be as provided in the zone of adjacent lot. Lots separated by streets or other rights-of-way are not considered adjacent. If more than one zone is adjacent, the largest setback shall be required | No setback required unless adjacent to zone with minimum setback requirement, in which case the adjoining setback shall be as provided in the zone of adjacent lot. Lots separated by streets or other rights-of-way are not considered adjacent. If more than one zone is adjacent, the largest setback shall be required |
| Maximum Building Height | 45 feet | See also Section 17.70.080 (Height Measurement and Exceptions) |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 100% | See also Section 17.70.120 (Lot Coverage) |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio | 3.0 | In the Downtown, as mapped in the General Plan Land Use Element, a site that receives transfer of development credit for open space protection may have a FAR of up to 4.0. See also Section 17.70.060 (FAR Measurement and Exceptions) |
| Minimum Lot Area | 9,000 square feet | See also Section 16.18.030 (Lot Dimensions) |
| Edge Condition Requirements | See Section 17.70.050 (Edge Conditions) | See Section 17.70.050 (Edge Conditions) |
(Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)
17.30.030 Additional regulations.¶
A. Maximum Retail Sales Building Size in the C-R Zone.
No retail sales establishment (commercial building) shall exceed 60,000 square feet of gross floor area, unless excepted by subsection (A)(2) of this section or for nonconforming structures per Chapter 17.92 (Nonconforming Structures).
An applicant may request a retail sales building larger than sixty thousand square feet, but in no case larger than one hundred forty thousand square feet through the conditional use permit process. In granting a request for a retail sale establishment of up to one hundred forty thousand square feet of gross floor area, the planning commission shall be required to make all of the following findings:
a. The proposed use will serve the community, in whole or in significant part, and the nature of the use requires a larger size in order to function;
b. The building in which the use is to be located is designed in discrete elements that respect the scale of development in the surrounding area; and
c. The new building is designed in compliance with the city’s design guidelines for large-scale retail projects. (Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)
Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.
Ask AI about this code