Title 17 — ZONING REGULATIONS CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
Chapter 17.114 — VARIANCES
San Luis Obispo Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-06 · San Luis Obispo
Sections in this part
17.114.010 – Purpose and Applicability ¶
A. Purpose. The Variance procedure is intended to allow minor relaxation of certain standards by the Director that would otherwise prevent a property from being used in the same manner as other, similar property, where the intent of these regulations is not compromised by such minor relaxation.
B. Applicability. Yards, height limits, lot coverage, floor area ratio, and parking space requirements may be relaxed. No Variance to land use regulations or density standards may be granted.
17.114.020 – Procedure ¶
A. An application shall be in the form prescribed by the Director, shall state the precise nature of the grounds for the Variance sought, and shall be accompanied by any required fees.
B. Notification requirements and actions of the Director shall be as provided for Minor Use Permits in Section –
17.58.030(A).17.110.030 (Procedure Minor Use Permit).
17.114.030 – Burden of Proof ¶
It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to provide evidence in support of the findings required in Section 17. xx.xxx 114.040 (Required Findings).
17.114.040 – Required Findings ¶
In order to approve a Variance, the Director or, on appeal, the Planning Commission or Council, must make each of the following findings:
A. That there are circumstances applying to the site, such as size, shape, or topography, which do not apply generally to land in the vicinity with the same zoning;
B. That the Variance will not be in conflict with the purpose and intent of these Zoning Regulations, the General Plan, or any applicable specific plan;
C. That the Variance will not constitute a grant of special privilege—an entitlement inconsistent with the limitations upon other properties in the vicinity with the same zoning; and
D. That the Variance will not adversely affect the health, safety, or general welfare of persons residing or working on the site or in the vicinity.
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ZONING REGULATIONS – TITLE 17
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▸ Title 17 — ZONING REGULATIONS CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
Overview- Article 1 — ENACTMENT, APPLICABILITY, AND ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 17.02 — PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY OF THE ZONING REGULA…
- Chapter 17.04 — INTERPRETATION OF THE ZONING REGULATIONS
- Chapter 17.06 — ZONES ESTABLISHED AND ZONING MAP
- Chapter 17.12 — AGRICULTURAL (AG) ZONE
- Chapter 17.14 — CONSERVATION/OPEN SPACE (C/OS) ZONE
- Chapter 17.16 — LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (R-1) ZONE
- Chapter 17.18 — MEDIUM-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (R-2) ZONE
- Chapter 17.20 — MEDIUM-HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (R-3) ZONE
- Chapter 17.22 — HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (R-4) ZONE
- Chapter 17.24 — OFFICE (O) ZONE
- Chapter 17.26 — NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL (C-N) ZONE
- Chapter 17.28 — COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL (C-C) ZONE
- Chapter 17.30 — RETAIL COMMERCIAL (C-R) ZONE
- Chapter 17.32 — DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL (C-D) ZONE
- Chapter 17.34 — TOURIST COMMERCIAL (C-T) ZONE
- Chapter 17.36 — SERVICE COMMERCIAL (C-S) ZONE
- Chapter 17.38 — RESERVED
- Chapter 17.40 — MANUFACTURING (M) ZONE
- Chapter 17.42 — BUSINESS PARK (BP) ZONE
- Chapter 17.44 — RESERVED
- Chapter 17.46 — PUBLIC FACILITY (PF) ZONE
- Chapter 17.48 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (PD) OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 17.50 — SPECIFIC PLAN (SP) OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 17.52 — SPECIAL FOCUS AREA (S-F) OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 17.54 — DOWNTOWN (D) OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 17.56 — HISTORICAL PRESERVATION (H) OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 17.58 — MIXED USE (MU) OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 17.60 — SPECIAL CONSIDERATION (S) OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 17.62 — RESERVED
- Chapter 17.64 — AIRPORT (AOZ) OVERLAY ZONE
- Chapter 17.66 — RESERVED
- Chapter 17.70 — SITE DEVELOPMENT AND GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STAND…
- Chapter 17.72 — ~~PARKING AND LOADINGP~~ ARKING AND LOADING
- Chapter 17.74 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Chapter 17.76 — PROPERTY MAINTENANCE STANDARDS
- Chapter 17.78 — FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION
- Chapter 17.80 — STREET REGULATIONS
- Chapter 17.90 — RESERVED
- Chapter 17.92 — NONCONFORMING STRUCTURES
- Chapter 17.94 — NONCONFORMING USES
- Chapter 17.96 — NONCONFORMING LOTS
- Chapter 17.104 — PERMIT APPLICATION FILING AND PROCESSING
- Chapter 17.106 — DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
- Chapter 17.108 — DIRECTOR’S ACTION
- Chapter 17.109 — DIRECTOR’S HEARING
- Chapter 17.110 — MINOR USE PERMITS AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS
- Chapter 17.112 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
- Chapter 17.113 — TEMPORARY USE PERMITS
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▸ Chapter 17.114 — VARIANCES
- Chapter 17.120 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
- Chapter 17.122 — PUBLIC NOTICES AND HEARINGS
- Chapter 17.124 — AMENDMENTS - ZONING REGULATIONS AND ZONING MAP
- Chapter 17.126 — APPEALS
- Chapter 17.128 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
- Chapter 17.130 — GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS
- Chapter 17.132 — ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 17.138 — INCLUSIONARY HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 17.140 — AFFORDABLE HOUSING INCENTIVES
- Chapter 17.142 — DOWNTOWN HOUSING CONVERSION REGULATIONS
- Chapter 17.144 — RESIDENTIAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS
- Chapter 17.146 — RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCY STANDARDS
- Chapter 17.148 — HIGH-OCCUPANCY RESIDENTIAL USE REGULATIONS
- Chapter 17.154 — DEFINITIONS PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION 17.154.0…
- Chapter 17.158 — GENERAL DEFINITIONS