Earlier editions: 2026-09
San Luis Obispo Municipal Code Ch. 17.36 Service Commercial (c-S) Zone
San Luis Obispo Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-05 · San Luis Obispo
Cite as: San Luis Obispo Municipal Code Chapter 17.36 · Text as of 2026-10-05
17.36.010 Purpose and application.¶
The C-S zone is intended to provide for a wide range of service and manufacturing uses to meet local needs and some demands of the region, including services, limited retail, and other business service uses that may be less appropriate in the city’s other commercial zones. The C-S zone is also intended to accommodate certain storage, transportation, wholesaling, and light manufacturing uses. The C-S zone is intended to be applied primarily to areas that have more public exposure on arterial streets than areas reserved for manufacturing uses. (Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)
17.36.020 Development standards.¶
The general property development standards for the C-S zone shall be as set forth in Table 2-20: C-S Zone Development Standards. See also Section 16.18.030 (Lot Dimensions) for minimum lot dimensions.
Table 2-20: C-S Zone Development Standards
| Development Standard | C-S Zone | Additional Regulations |
|---|
Table 2-20: C-S Zone Development Standards
| Development Standard | C-S Zone | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Residential Density | 24 units/ |
See also Section 17.70.040 (Density) |
| Minimum Setbacks | Minimum Setbacks | Minimum Setbacks |
| Front | Where no building adjoins, 5 feet (requirement for parking lots and signs) Buildings ≤ 20 feet in height: 10 feet Buildings > 20 feet in height: 15 feet | Where no building adjoins, 5 feet (requirement for parking lots and signs) Buildings ≤ 20 feet in height: 10 feet Buildings > 20 feet in height: 15 feet |
| Interior Side and Rear | No setback unless adjacent to zone with minimum setback requirement, in which case the adjoining setback shall be as provided in 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 unless adjacent to zone with minimum setback requirement, in which case the adjoining setback shall be as provided in 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 | Where no building adjoins, 5 feet (requirement for parking lots and signs) Buildings ≤ 20 feet in height: 10 feet Buildings > 20 feet in height: 15 feet | Where no building adjoins, 5 feet (requirement for parking lots and signs) Buildings ≤ 20 feet in height: 10 feet Buildings > 20 feet in height: 15 feet |
| Maximum Building Height | 35 feet | See also Section 17.70.080 (Height Measurement and Exceptions) |
| Maximum Lot Coverage | 75% | See also Section 17.70.120 (Lot Coverage) |
| Maximum Floor Area Ratio | 1.5 | 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)
17.36.030 Additional regulations.¶
A. Maximum Retail Building Size in the C-S Zone. No retail establishment (commercial building) shall exceed sixty thousand square feet of gross floor area, unless excepted for nonconforming structures per Chapter 17.92 (Nonconforming Structures).
B. Offices in the C-S Zone. The approval of an office facility in the C-S zone shall require that the review authority find that:
The project will be compatible with existing and allowed land uses in the area; and
The project will not preclude industrial or service commercial uses in areas especially suited for these uses when compared with offices.
C. Medical Services in the C-S Zone. The approval of a medical office, dental office, or clinic in the C-S zone shall require that the review authority find that:
The proposed medical service is compatible with surrounding land uses;
The proposed medical service is located along a street designated as an arterial or commercial collector in the circulation element; and
The project will not preclude service commercial uses in areas especially suited for these uses when compared with medical services.
D. Commercial Recreational in the C-S Zone. The approval of a commercial recreational facility in the C-S zone shall require that the review authority to find that:
The proposed use will serve the community, in whole or in significant part;
The project will be compatible with existing and allowed land uses in the area; and
The project will not preclude other industrial or service commercial uses in areas especially suited for these uses when compared with recreational facilities. (Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)
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