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Title 17 — ZONING REGULATIONS CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPOChapter 17.06 — ZONES ESTABLISHED AND ZONING MAP

Article 2 — ZONES, ALLOWABLE USES, AND DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN STANDARDS

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

17.10.010 – Purpose and Application

This Chapter identifies those land uses that may be established in conjunction with any buildings, improvements, lots, or premises within the zones established by Chapter 17.06 (Zones Established and Zoning Map).

17.10.020 – Use Regulations By Zone

  • A. Allowed Uses. Uses within zones shall be regulated as set forth in Table 92 -1 (Uses Allowed by Zone), subject to subsections B through F of this Section and additional regulations specified in the Additional Regulations column of Table 92 -1. Land uses are defined in Article 9, C hapter 19. XX1 5 6, (Land Use ClassificationsD efinitions). In Table 9 2-1, symbols shall have these meanings:

    • A The use is allowed as a matter of right. MUP The use requires a Minor Use Permit approved by the Director, as provided in Section s 17.110.030 –

    • (Procedure Minor Use Permit). 17.58.020 through 17.58.070.

    • CUP The use requires a Conditional Use Permit approved by the Planning Commission, as provided in Section s 17.58.020 through 17.58.070 17.110.030 (Procedure – Minor Use Permit).

    • A/M The use is allowed above the ground floor only. Subject to Minor Use Permit review, the use may be established on the ground floor.

Variations to allowed uses in Table 9 2-1 (Uses Allowed by Zone) may be permitted or required by Chapter XX 17.50: Specific Plan (SP) Overlay Zone, Chapter 17.5 6 2: Special Focus Area (S-F) Overlay Zone, and Chapter 17.6 2 0: Special Considerations (S) Overlay Zone.

B. Interpretation of Use Listing.

1. Director’s Determination. In cases where a specific land use or activity is not defined, the Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is substantially similar in character per Section 17.04.030.B, Director’s Determination. This interpretation procedure shall not be used as a substitute for the amendment procedure as a means of adding new types of uses to a zone.

2. Uses Not Listed and Not Substantially Similar. Any use not expressly allowed by these Zoning Regulations is prohibited.

  • C. Principal and Accessory Uses. Listed uses are principal uses. Accessory uses are allowed only where a principal use is established. An accessory use shall not may be allowed if it is not listed as an allowed use in Table 9 2-1 for the applicable zone.

  • D. Airport Land Use Plan and Airport Overlay Zone. See Chapter 17.64 (Airport Overlay Zone) concerning uses that may be allowed within the Airport Overlay Zone.

  • E. Specific Plan Consistency . See Section 17.02.08 0: (Relationship to Specific Plans).

  • F. Prohibited Uses. The following uses are prohibited in all zones:

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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ZONING REGULATIONS – TITLE 17

1. RESERVED.

2. Drive-Through Facilities

3. Large-Scale Retail with over 140,000 square feet of gross floor area

4. Livestock Feed Lots

5. Mineral Extraction and Commercial Mining

6. Onshore Support Facilities for offshore oil or gas development

7. Vacation Rentals. See also Section XXX 17.86.160 (Homestay Rental

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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ZONING REGULATIONS – TITLE 17

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Contents — San Luis Obispo Zoning Code
San Luis Obispo Zoning Code
  1. Title 17 — ZONING REGULATIONS CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
    Overview
    1. Article 1 — ENACTMENT, APPLICABILITY, AND ENFORCEMENT
    2. Chapter 17.02 — PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY OF THE ZONING REGULA…
    3. Chapter 17.04 — INTERPRETATION OF THE ZONING REGULATIONS
    4. Chapter 17.06 — ZONES ESTABLISHED AND ZONING MAP
    5. Chapter 17.12 — AGRICULTURAL (AG) ZONE
    6. Chapter 17.14 — CONSERVATION/OPEN SPACE (C/OS) ZONE
    7. Chapter 17.16 — LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (R-1) ZONE
    8. Chapter 17.18 — MEDIUM-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (R-2) ZONE
    9. Chapter 17.20 — MEDIUM-HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (R-3) ZONE
    10. Chapter 17.22 — HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (R-4) ZONE
    11. Chapter 17.24 — OFFICE (O) ZONE
    12. Chapter 17.26 — NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL (C-N) ZONE
    13. Chapter 17.28 — COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (C-C) ZONE
    14. Chapter 17.30 — RETAIL COMMERCIAL (C-R) ZONE
    15. Chapter 17.32 — DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL (C-D) ZONE
    16. Chapter 17.34 — TOURIST COMMERCIAL (C-T) ZONE
    17. Chapter 17.36 — SERVICE COMMERCIAL (C-S) ZONE
    18. Chapter 17.38 — RESERVED
    19. Chapter 17.40 — MANUFACTURING (M) ZONE
    20. Chapter 17.42 — BUSINESS PARK (BP) ZONE
    21. Chapter 17.44 — RESERVED
    22. Chapter 17.46 — PUBLIC FACILITY (PF) ZONE
    23. Chapter 17.48 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (PD) OVERLAY ZONE
    24. Chapter 17.50 — SPECIFIC PLAN (SP) OVERLAY ZONE
    25. Chapter 17.52 — SPECIAL FOCUS AREA (S-F) OVERLAY ZONE
    26. Chapter 17.54 — DOWNTOWN (D) OVERLAY ZONE
    27. Chapter 17.56 — HISTORICAL PRESERVATION (H) OVERLAY ZONE
    28. Chapter 17.58 — MIXED USE (MU) OVERLAY ZONE
    29. Chapter 17.60 — SPECIAL CONSIDERATION (S) OVERLAY ZONE
    30. Chapter 17.62 — RESERVED
    31. Chapter 17.64 — AIRPORT (AOZ) OVERLAY ZONE
    32. Chapter 17.66 — RESERVED
    33. Chapter 17.70 — SITE DEVELOPMENT AND GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STAND…
    34. Chapter 17.72 — ~~PARKING AND LOADINGP~~ ARKING AND LOADING
    35. Chapter 17.74 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
    36. Chapter 17.76 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE STANDARDS
    37. Chapter 17.78 — FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION
    38. Chapter 17.80 — STREET REGULATIONS
    39. Chapter 17.90 — RESERVED
    40. Chapter 17.92 — NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES
    41. Chapter 17.94 — NONCONFORMING USES
    42. Chapter 17.96 — NONCONFORMING LOTS
    43. Chapter 17.104 — PERMIT APPLICATION FILING AND PROCESSING
    44. Chapter 17.106 — DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
    45. Chapter 17.108 — DIRECTOR’S ACTION
    46. Chapter 17.109 — DIRECTOR’S HEARING
    47. Chapter 17.110 — MINOR USE PERMITS AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
    48. Chapter 17.112 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
    49. Chapter 17.113 — TEMPORARY USE PERMITS
    50. Chapter 17.114 — VARIANCES
    51. Chapter 17.120 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
    52. Chapter 17.122 — PUBLIC NOTICES AND HEARINGS
    53. Chapter 17.124 — AMENDMENTS - ZONING REGULATIONS AND ZONING MAP
    54. Chapter 17.126 — APPEALS
    55. Chapter 17.128 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
    56. Chapter 17.130 — GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS
    57. Chapter 17.132 — ENFORCEMENT
    58. Chapter 17.138 — INCLUSIONARY HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
    59. Chapter 17.140 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCENTIVES
    60. Chapter 17.142 — DOWNTOWN HOUSING CONVERSION REGULATIONS
    61. Chapter 17.144 — RESIDENTIAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
    62. Chapter 17.146 — RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCY STANDARDS
    63. Chapter 17.148 — HIGH-OCCUPANCY RESIDENTIAL USE REGULATIONS
    64. Chapter 17.154 — DEFINITIONS PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION 17.154.0…
    65. Chapter 17.158 — GENERAL DEFINITIONS

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