Local zoning · San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo County — Land Use

Land Use under the San Luis Obispo County local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

This page explains how the County’s inland Land Use Ordinance organizes and regulates what you can do with property in the unincorporated areas. The ordinance applies outside incorporated cities and outside the coastal zone; coastal parcels follow a separate Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance (Title 23) and not the inland rules summarized here (see § 22.01.050; unincorporated inland only) . Land uses are governed by mapped County “land use categories” (e.g., AG, RL, RSF, CR, CS, IND, OS, REC, PF) shown on official maps and administered with permit types like P, SP, MUP, and CUP (§ 22.01.022; § 22.06.030; § 22.62.030–.060) .

Key idea: The County’s inland code lists what each land use category allows and what permit is needed. “P” means permitted with Zoning Clearance; “SP” requires Site Plan Review; “MUP” is a Minor Use Permit; “CUP” is a full Conditional Use Permit (§ 22.62.030–.060; key to permit symbols under § 22.06.030) .

How the County organizes “Land Use”

The Land Use Ordinance applies to all development in the unincorporated inland area; the coastal zone instead uses Title 23 (§ 22.01.050) .
Official maps designate each parcel with a land use category; “combining designations” (overlays) flag resources/hazards requiring added review (§ 22.01.022; § 22.01.040; Ch. 22.14) .
Article 2’s use tables list allowable uses and the required permit for each land use category; Articles 9–10 can narrow or change them in specific planning areas/communities (§ 22.06.030; notes pointing to Articles 9–10) .

Countywide permit “keys” used in the tables

P = Permitted (Zoning Clearance) (§ 22.62.030)
SP = Site Plan Review (§ 22.62.040)
MUP = Minor Use Permit (§ 22.62.050)
CUP = Conditional Use Permit (§ 22.62.060)
A1/A2 flags tie a use back to the land use tables and any specific-use standards in § 22.30 (various sections) .

Decision-relevant allowed uses (selected examples)

The table below samples common proposals and where they typically fit. Always confirm in the full Article 2 tables (§ 22.06.030) and any Article 9/10 local standards that override them .

Proposed use	AG	RSF	RMF	CR	CR/VS	CS	IND	PF	Code Reference
Single-family dwelling	P	P	P	—	—	—	—	—	§ 22.06.030; table preview shows P in AG/RSF/RMF (residential group)
Home occupation	P	P	P	P	P	P	—	—	§ 22.06.030; see § 22.30.230
Residential care (≤6)	P	P	P	—	—	—	—	—	§ 22.06.030; § 22.30.420
Restaurants	—	—	—	A1	A1	A1	—	—	§ 22.06.030; § 22.30.570
Bars/nightclubs	—	—	—	—	A1	A1	—	—	§ 22.06.030; § 22.30.570
Gas station	—	—	—	MUP	MUP	SP	—	—	§ 22.06.030; § 22.30.130
Communications facility	CUP	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	§ 22.06.030; § 22.30.180 (transport/communications)
Recycling – small collection	SP	—	SP	SP	SP	SP	—	—	§ 22.06.030; § 22.30.390
Warehousing/wholesale	—	—	—	—	—	A1	A1	—	§ 22.06.030; § 22.30.640
Libraries/museums	—	—	—	—	—	SP	—	A1	§ 22.06.030; recreation/assembly group table

“—” indicates the example is not shown as allowed in the retrieved table snippets; verify in the complete Article 2 tables.

District-by-district guidance (unincorporated areas)

Agriculture (AG)

Purpose and pattern: Working lands and resource production; also accommodates a primary residence in many cases.
Typical permitted/allowable uses: Single-family dwellings (P); home occupations (P); agricultural accessory structures (P); crop production/grazing (A1/A2 as listed); selected ag-processing (A2); and specialized uses that must meet specific standards in § 22.30 (§ 22.06.030; see ag/resource portions of the table) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.
Where it applies: As mapped on the County’s official inland land use maps (§ 22.01.022) .

Rural Lands (RL)

Purpose and pattern: Large-parcel rural areas with very low intensities.
Typical permitted/allowable uses: A limited rural set per the base table; in the Irish Hills and San Luis Obispo Sub-area, uses are further narrowed (e.g., emphasis on renewable energy, crop production, equestrian, limited residential) (§ 22.96.030–.040 area standards; § 22.06.030) .
Example local limits: Irish Hills RL allows ag accessory, crop production/grazing, nursery specialties, renewable energy, limited residential/accessory, and utilities; other heavier industrial/manufacturing uses are excluded (area standard) (§ 22.96; RL itemized list) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.

Residential Rural (RR)

Purpose and pattern: Rural residential, often large lots and limited services.
Typical allowed uses: One primary residence plus typical rural accessory uses; area-specific lists apply in places like the Tiffany Ranch Road area (§ 22.98.062.B) .
Example local standards: Minimum parcel size for new divisions is often 10 acres in the San Luis Obispo Sub-area; certain subareas limit use lists (e.g., caretaker residences, crop production, animal facilities, renewable energy, home occupations) (§ 22.98.062.B.2–.3) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.

Residential Suburban (RS)

Purpose and pattern: Semi-rural ranchette neighborhoods.
Typical allowed uses: Base table residential uses; area-specific limits exist (e.g., Squire Canyon limits to single-family, animal keeping, crop production/grazing, renewable energy, certain utilities) (§ 22.96.060.A.3; Squire Canyon standard) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.

Residential Single-Family (RSF)

Purpose and pattern: Conventional single-family neighborhoods served (or anticipated to be served) by urban services.
Typical permitted/allowable uses: Single-family dwellings (P); home occupations (P); residential accessory uses (P); small residential care (≤6) (P) (§ 22.06.030; residential table) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.

Residential Multi-Family (RMF)

Purpose and pattern: Attached housing and higher-density residential.
Typical permitted/allowable uses: The residential table shows single-family dwellings (P) and residential support uses; multi-family is regulated but permit cells were not visible in retrieved snippets—confirm in full table (§ 22.06.030; residential table) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.

Commercial Retail (CR) and Commercial Retail/Visitor-Serving (CR/VS)

Purpose and pattern: Neighborhood, community, and visitor-serving retail nodes.
Typical permitted/allowable uses:
- Restaurants (A1); grocery/general retail (A1) in CR/CR‑VS (§ 22.06.030; § 22.30.570) .
- Gas stations (MUP in CR/CR‑VS; SP in CS) (§ 22.30.130; table entries) .
- Bars/nightclubs (A1 in CR‑VS/CS; verify in CR) (§ 22.30.570; table entries) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.

Commercial Service (CS) and Commercial Service/Business Park (CS/BP)

Purpose and pattern: Service commercial, flex/business park, and light industrial-support uses.
Typical permitted/allowable uses:
- Libraries/museums (SP in CS/BP); caretaker quarters (P); many service and light-industrial accessory uses per § 22.30 standards (§ 22.06.030; recreation/assembly and residential table excerpts) .
- Selected animal-related facilities (A1/MUP) per § 22.30.100 and ag/resource table excerpt (§ 22.06.030) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.

Industrial (IND)

Purpose and pattern: Manufacturing, processing, warehousing, and distribution.
Typical permitted/allowable uses: Warehousing/wholesale (A1); small-scale manufacturing (A1); other industry subtypes per the industry table and § 22.30 standards (§ 22.06.030; § 22.30.550, § 22.30.640) .
Area-specific limits: Example—Edna and Buckley Roads parcel limited to contractors, caretaker residence, storage yards, accessory renewable energy (§ 22.96; IND subarea rule) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.

Open Space (OS)

Purpose and pattern: Resource conservation and passive open space.
Typical permitted/allowable uses: Open-space uses; area standards often restrict intensity and protect riparian corridors (e.g., retain riparian vegetation; clustered development where appropriate) (§ 22.06.030; § 22.96/22.106 examples) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.

Recreation (REC)

Purpose and pattern: Active recreation and related facilities with careful siting.
Typical permitted/allowable uses: Recreational facilities subject to MUP/CUP depending on context; some locations require a CUP for any new structures and comprehensive site planning (e.g., Dana Adobe standards) (§ 22.06.030; San Luis Bay Sub‑area recreation standards) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.

Public Facilities (PF)

Purpose and pattern: Government, education, and community facilities.
Typical permitted/allowable uses: Libraries/museums (A1); caretaker quarters (P); schools and public assembly often require discretionary permits per the tables (§ 22.06.030; recreation/assembly table) .
Area-specific example: County Office of Education site—MUP for all new development and siting north of Pennington Creek (§ 22.96; PF item) .
Key dimensional standards: Not found in retrieved materials.

Special district: Dalidio Ranch Zoning District

Independent zoning district created by initiative; development is ministerial if consistent with the Dalidio Ranch land use category and Chapter 22.113 (separate from the rest of Title 22) (§ 22.113.010–.020) .
Conditions and subareas are governed within Chapter 22.113 (§ 22.113.030–.040) .

Area- and community-specific overrides

Articles 9 (Planning Area Standards) and 10 (Community Planning Standards) can limit uses or change permit levels by sub‑area/community. The ordinance explicitly defers to Articles 9–10 where conflicts exist (§ 22.06.030, table notes) .
Examples in the San Luis Obispo and San Luis Bay planning areas include limits on RL, RR, RS, PF, and REC sites (e.g., undergrounding utilities for CUP projects; clustering; subarea use caps) (§ 22.96.030–.060; § 22.98) .

Checklist

Identify your parcel’s inland land use category and any combining designations on the official County maps (§ 22.01.022) .
Confirm your proposed activity is listed as allowed in § 22.06.030 and note the required permit: P/SP/MUP/CUP (see permit key) .
Check whether Articles 9 or 10 modify allowed uses or permit levels for your planning area/community (§ 22.06.030 notes) .
If your use has a specific standard, address it (e.g., gas stations § 22.30.130, restaurants § 22.30.570, communications facilities § 22.30.180) .
Verify any area-specific limits (e.g., Irish Hills RL; Tiffany Ranch RR; Squire Canyon RS; Airport Area; Avila Valley REC/OS) (§ 22.96–§ 22.98 excerpts) .
Cross-check related requirements like parking, design review, signage, and landscaping/screening.
If your plan differs from what the category allows, consider variances/exceptions or revising the use.
For existing uses/structures, review nonconforming use rules before expanding or changing.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Article 9/10 overrides	Local standards can prohibit or up-permit a use allowed in the base table	Read the applicable § 22.96–§ 22.98 or § 22.102–§ 22.108 sections noted for your area (§ 22.06.030 notes)
Permit level misread	“A1/A2” still requires the underlying permit from the table key or specific-use section	Confirm the permit in § 22.06.030 and any § 22.30 standard; then apply § 22.62.030–.060 processes
Dimensional limits (setbacks, height)	Site design can fail if you don’t meet basic development metrics	Not found in retrieved materials; Verify with the jurisdiction or the development standards page
Coastal vs. inland confusion	Coastal parcels follow Title 23, not Title 22	Check § 22.01.050 (inland applicability) and whether your parcel is in the Coastal Zone
Subarea-limited uses	Some subareas narrow use lists (e.g., Irish Hills RL, Tiffany Ranch RR)	Read the exact subarea § for your site (§ 22.96, § 22.98)

Plain-English Summary

In unincorporated San Luis Obispo County (inland), every parcel has a mapped land use category that spells out what’s allowed and what permit you need. Start by checking your category, then match your proposed use to § 22.06.030’s tables and any special rules for your planning area or community. Many common uses (like a house in RSF) are permitted with a simple Zoning Clearance, while others (like a gas station in CR) need a discretionary permit. Development standards, overlays, and design/parking rules may also apply—plan for those early.

Source References

§ 22.01.022 (official maps; combining designations) and § 22.01.040 (open space/combining designations) — applicability and map framework
§ 22.01.050 — Inland applicability; coastal parcels use Title 23
§ 22.06.030 — Allowable land uses and permit requirements; Articles 9–10 control when they differ (notes/tables)
Permit key and procedures: § 22.62.030 (P), § 22.62.040 (SP), § 22.62.050 (MUP), § 22.62.060 (CUP) (as referenced in table key)
Specific-use standards referenced in tables: e.g., § 22.30.130 (Gas stations), § 22.30.180 (Communications facilities), § 22.30.570 (Restaurants/Bars) — table excerpts show cross-references
Planning area/community examples and overrides: § 22.96 (San Luis Bay/San Luis Obispo subareas), § 22.98 (South County) — including Irish Hills RL, County Office of Education PF, Squire Canyon RS, Tiffany Ranch RR, Avila Valley OS/REC examples
Dalidio Ranch Zoning District: § 22.113.010–.040 (special district; ministerial processing if consistent)

Information Gaps

Dimensional standards (setbacks, height, lot coverage, FAR) for each land use category: Not found in retrieved materials.
Full permit matrices for some residential/commercial sub-uses (e.g., exact RMF multi-family permit levels) were only partially visible: Verify with the jurisdiction.

Sources

Retrieved passages

San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Article 8) High relevance
San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Article 8) High relevance
San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Section 22.06.030) High relevance
San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Section 22.06.030) High relevance
San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Section 22.62.020) High relevance
San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Section 22.06.030) High relevance
San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Chapter 7) High relevance
San Luis Obispo County Zoning Code (Section 9.04.120) High relevance

Cited sections

Official San Luis Obispo County code library

Frequently asked questions

What can I build on an RSF lot in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County?

RSF typically allows a single-family home, residential accessory uses, home occupations, and small residential care (6 or fewer clients) as permitted uses with Zoning Clearance, subject to development standards and any area/community overrides (§ 22.06.030; residential table) .

Are restaurants allowed in the CR or CR/VS categories?

Yes. Restaurants are shown as allowable uses in CR and CR/VS with the permit level indicated as A1 (meaning follow the land use table’s permit and any § 22.30 standards). Bars/nightclubs are also allowed in certain commercial categories, with A1 flags in CR/VS and CS (§ 22.06.030; § 22.30.570) .

Do agricultural parcels allow a residence?

Yes. The residential table shows single-family dwellings as permitted in AG (as well as RSF and RMF), and home occupations are also permitted. Specific ag-related uses may require A1/A2 permits and § 22.30 standards (§ 22.06.030; residential and ag/resource tables) .

How do I know if my use needs a Minor Use Permit or a CUP?

The Article 2 tables assign a permit key (P, SP, MUP, CUP). For example, gas stations are MUP in CR and CR/VS, but SP in CS. The key and procedures are in § 22.62.030–.060 (§ 22.06.030 tables; § 22.62) .

Can area standards limit what RL or RR parcels can do?

Yes. Articles 9–10 set subarea and community standards that can narrow uses or change permit levels (e.g., Irish Hills RL use limits; Tiffany Ranch RR minimum parcel size and use list). These control over the base table where different (§ 22.96; § 22.98; § 22.06.030 notes) .

Is multi-family housing allowed in RMF?

The residential table indicates RMF includes residential uses, and single-family is permitted. The exact permit level for multi-family was not visible in retrieved snippets; confirm in the full § 22.06.030 table or with the County. Not found in retrieved materials .

Are communications towers allowed in AG?

Yes, but they typically require a Conditional Use Permit in AG per the transportation/communications table and must meet § 22.30.180 standards (§ 22.06.030; § 22.30.180) .

What if my parcel is in the Coastal Zone?

Then Title 23 (Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance) applies instead of Title 22. § 22.01.050 states inland applicability only; verify your parcel’s location on County maps (§ 22.01.050; § 22.01.022) .

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