San Luis Obispo County — Design Review

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

In the unincorporated areas of San Luis Obispo County, “design review” is not a single board or one-size-fits-all process. It is carried out through the Land Use Ordinance (Title 22) using ministerial and discretionary permit tracks, plus area- and overlay-specific standards adopted by the County. At a high level, smaller projects are processed through Site Plan Review, while larger or more sensitive proposals undergo Minor Use Permit review, often with community design guidance or overlay standards layered in. See the County’s zoning overview and development standards for how these pieces fit together.

Core rule in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County: design is reviewed through objective Site Plan Review when possible, and through discretionary Minor Use Permit review (with findings and conditions) when a project’s design, site sensitivity, overlay, or community standard requires it (§ 22.62.040; § 22.62.050).

All references below are to Title 22 (Land Use Ordinance). Parcels in the Coastal Zone use Title 23 (Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance); Title 22 expressly does not apply there (§ 22.01.050).

How design review happens in practice

• Ministerial track — Site Plan Review: The Director approves Site Plan Review when a project satisfies applicable standards; appeals are limited to whether standards are met (§ 22.62.040; appeal in § 22.70.050). Submittals include reduced 8.5"×11" site and elevation sheets to circulate to agencies. Approval is effective for building/grading permits unless appealed.
• Discretionary track — Minor Use Permit: Used for projects whose appropriateness depends on design/layout or which are flagged by the ordinance/overlays. The Director provides a public hearing opportunity and may approve with conditions or deny based on the code and testimony (§ 22.62.050).
• Overlay and community standards: Several combining designations and community plans impose objective design criteria or require discretionary design review. See overlay districts and community standards below.

District-by-district design review triggers and standards

Historic Site (H) combining designation

• Purpose. Protects archaeological resources and historic structures/sites; new work must preserve character (§ 22.14.080.A).
• Typical permit and uses. All new structures/uses and most modifications in an H area require a Minor Use Permit; application must show measures to protect the resource (§ 22.14.080.C.1–2).
• Key design findings. Approval requires findings that height, bulk, location, materials, and landscaping will not obstruct public views or damage historic features; demolition/remodeling must be unavoidable if approved (§ 22.14.080.C.4).
• Where it applies. Mapped H areas countywide; see the County’s historic preservation.

Airport Review Area (AR) combining designation

• Purpose. Ensures development near airports is compatible with air safety and ALUC plans (§ 22.14.030.A–B).
• Typical permit and uses. Uses must be “compatible” or “conditionally approvable” under the applicable Airport Land Use Plan (ALUP) (§ 22.14.030.B).
• Key design standards. Adds height limits tied to FAA “imaginary surfaces”; ALUC may require markers/lights; avigation easements can be required; appeals are coordinated with the Airport Land Use Commission (§ 22.14.030.D–G).
• Where it applies. Within mapped AR zones near County airports.

San Miguel Community Standards (within the Urban Reserve Line)

• Purpose. Implement community design through a prescriptive Site Plan Review process so projects fit San Miguel’s plan (§ 22.104.060).
• Typical permit and uses. Most new construction and exterior alterations must complete Site Plan Review under a prescriptive process; specific small alterations and certain residential/very small expansions are exempted or handled under ordinary permit rules (§ 22.104.060.A.1).
• Key design process. Director may approve only when the Site Plan addresses standards and after referring the project to the San Miguel Advisory Council; multifamily and commercial/industrial projects must address adopted design guidelines (§ 22.104.060.A.2).
• Where it applies. Inside San Miguel’s urban reserve line.

Templeton Community Standards (within the Urban Reserve Line)

• Purpose. Implement the adopted Templeton Community Design Plan for coherent, context-sensitive design (§ 22.104.090.A.1).
• Typical permit and uses. Minor Use Permit is required for all new construction or exterior alterations where a land use permit is otherwise required, with specified exceptions (e.g., ag/residential accessory structures) (§ 22.104.090.A.2).
• Key design standards. Applications must conform to the Templeton Community Design Plan; the Plan provides interpretive design guidance for flexibility (§ 22.104.090.A.1).
• Where it applies. Inside Templeton’s urban reserve line.

Highway Corridor design criteria (planning-area standards)

• Purpose. Protect scenic backdrops and vistas along key corridors; enable Zoning Clearance when objective design criteria (low-profile massing, compatible colors, landscape screening) are met; otherwise require discretionary review with a visual analysis (San Luis Obispo Planning Area standards, § 22.96).
• Typical permit and uses. Residential and certain accessory/agricultural structures visible from designated highways/rail corridors must meet objective siting, screening, and design thresholds to remain ministerial; if not, a Minor Use Permit with a visual analysis is required (§ 22.96).
• Notes. Landscaping for screening is tied to County landscaping rules; coordinate early with landscaping and screening standards referenced in the planning-area criteria.

Countywide design-review procedures you’ll actually use

• Site Plan Review (ministerial). Director approval upon compliance; include reduced plan sets; appeal is limited and must be filed quickly (§ 22.62.040; § 22.70.050).
• Minor Use Permit (discretionary). Public review of design/site integration; approval may carry conditions; denial possible if design conflicts with standards (§ 22.62.050).
• Applicability limits. Title 22 applies only to unincorporated areas outside the Coastal Zone; Coastal parcels are governed by Title 23 (Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance) (§ 22.01.050).

Design review quick-reference

Practical coordination tips

• Cross-check overlays early. AR and H overlays can change heights, materials, and even whether a Minor Use Permit is required; see overlay districts.
• Mind area plans. The San Miguel and Templeton standards add design- and process-specific requirements that sit on top of base zoning. Coordinate with zoning and land use.
• Keep related chapters handy. Landscaping and screening often carry the weight of visual mitigation; tie your design to landscaping and screening early. For on-site stalls, verify parking layout rules that can influence building placement.
• Separate but related regimes. Structural, energy, and egress details live in the California Building Standards Code—not the zoning ordinance. ADUs and many housing streamlining rules come from state law; see California housing laws and California ADU law.

Checklist

• Confirm parcel is in unincorporated County and whether it’s in the Coastal Zone (Title 23) or inland (Title 22) (§ 22.01.050).
• Screen for overlays (H, AR, corridor areas) and community standards (San Miguel, Templeton) that drive the permit track and design criteria (§ 22.14.080; § 22.14.030; § 22.96; § 22.104.060; § 22.104.090).
• If Site Plan Review applies, prepare reduced plan sets; verify objective standards and note the 7‑day appeal window (§ 22.62.040; § 22.70.050).
• If a Minor Use Permit applies, be ready with a design narrative and, where required, a visual analysis supporting massing, colors, and screening (planning-area standards and overlays) (§ 22.62.050; § 22.96; § 22.14.080).
• Coordinate site layout with parking and landscaping and screening early to avoid redesigns tied to screening or stall placement.
• If near an airport, check ALUP compatibility, height planes, and any avigation easement requirements (§ 22.14.030.D–G).
• For H overlays, ensure your submittal addresses the protection findings and material/visibility considerations (§ 22.14.080.C).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

If you’re building in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County, your project’s “design review” is either a quick, checklist-style Site Plan Review or a fuller Minor Use Permit where staff can condition the design. Overlays (Historic and Airport) and community plans (San Miguel, Templeton) add targeted design rules; meet the objective criteria and you can usually stay ministerial—miss them and you’ll need a discretionary permit with a stronger design showing.

Information Gaps

• A standalone “Design Review” combining designation in Title 22: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Exact subsection numbers for all Highway Corridor standards within Chapter 22.96: Not found in retrieved materials.
• Coastal (Title 23) “Design Review” overlay content: Not found in retrieved materials.

Source References

• § 22.01.050 Applicability of the Land Use Ordinance (unincorporated vs. Coastal Zone)
• § 22.62.040 Site Plan Review (processing, approval, appeals reference)
• § 22.62.050 Minor Use Permits (purpose, hearing opportunity, discretionary action)
• § 22.14.080 Historic Site (H) (purpose, permit need, required findings)
• § 22.14.030 Airport Review Area (AR) (compatibility, height, avigation/appeal)
• § 22.104.060 San Miguel Community Standards (prescriptive Site Plan Review)
• § 22.104.090 Templeton Community Standards (Minor Use Permit; design plan conformance)
• § 22.96 San Luis Obispo Planning Area (Highway Corridor design standards summary)

Retrieved passages

• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Section 22.62.060) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Section 22.06.030) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Chapter 7) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Chapter 22.52) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Title shall) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Section 22.62.040) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Title shall) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Section 22.22.140) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Section 22.06.030) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Chapter 22.32) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (section that) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Section 22.06.030.) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Section 22.06.060c) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Chapter apply) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Chapter 22.22) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Section apply) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Article 8) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § 22.62.030 (Title 19.) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Title apply) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Chapter 22.22.) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Title do) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Section 22.62.060) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Chapter 22.22) Medium relevance show source text
• San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Chapter 22.16.) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• § 22.01.050 Applicability of the Land Use Ordinance (unincorporated vs. Coastal Zone) (§ 22.01.050)
• § 22.62.040 Site Plan Review (processing, approval, appeals reference) (§ 22.62.040)
• § 22.62.050 Minor Use Permits (purpose, hearing opportunity, discretionary action) (§ 22.62.050)
• § 22.14.080 Historic Site (H) (purpose, permit need, required findings) (§ 22.14.080)
• § 22.14.030 Airport Review Area (AR) (compatibility, height, avigation/appeal) (§ 22.14.030)
• § 22.104.060 San Miguel Community Standards (prescriptive Site Plan Review) (§ 22.104.060)
• § 22.104.090 Templeton Community Standards (Minor Use Permit; design plan conformance) (§ 22.104.090)
• § 22.96 San Luis Obispo Planning Area (Highway Corridor design standards summary) (§ 22.96)
• SanLuisObispoCounty_ZoningCode.md

• Official San Luis Obispo County code library