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Title 17 — ZONING REGULATIONS CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO

Chapter 17.16 — LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (R-1) ZONE

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

17.16.010 – Purpose and Application

The R-1 zone provides for low-density residential development and supporting compatible uses that have locations and development forms that provide a sense of both individual identity and neighborhood cohesion, and that provide private outdoor space for the households occupying individual units. The R-1 zone is intended to preserve existing single-unit neighborhoods, provide for compatible infill development in such areas, and prescribe the overall character of newly subdivided low-density areas.

17.16.020 – Development Standards

  • A. General Development Standards. The general property development standards for the R-1 zone shall be as set forth in Table 2-4: R-1 Zone Development Standards. See also Section 16.18.030 (Subdivisions; Lot Dimensions) for minimum lot dimensions.
Table 2-4: R-1 Zone Development Standards
Development Standard R-1 Zone Additional Regulations
Maximum ResidentialDensity 7 units/net acre See also Section 17 .16.01070.040 (Density)
..
Maximum
FAR
0.40.5
Maximum FAR may be increased up to 0.50 55if
consistent with Section 17~~.XX16.030.A (Requirements and
Findings for FAR Increase in R-1 Zone). See also Section
17.70.06
0XX ~~(FAR Measurementand Exceptions)
Minimum Setbacks
Front 20 feet See also Section
Paving)
XX.XX.XXX17.76.03~~0:~~Front Yard
..
Interior Side and Rear See Section 17.16.020.B, Table 2-5: R-1 Zone Minimum Interior Side and Rear
Setbacks.
Corner Lot–Street Side 10 feet. See Figure 2-1: Street Side Setback on Corner Lots.
Maximum Building Height 25 feet Roof pitches with a slope of at least 30 degrees above a
horizontal plane,may extend beyond the maximum height
no more than 30 inches. See also Sections 17.16.020.B
(Interior Side and Rear Setback Standards)and
17
.16.0407
0.080 (Height Measurement and Exceptions).

17
..
Maximum Lot Coverage 40%
See also Section 17

.16.03070.120 (Lot Coverage)
..

Minimum Lot Area
6,000 square feet
See also Section 16.18.030 (Subdivisions; Lot
Dimensions)

Figure 2-1: Street Side Setback on Corner Lots

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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ZONING REGULATIONS – TITLE 17

  • B. Interior Side and Rear Setback Standards. The interior side and rear setback standards for the R-1 zone shall be as set forth in Table 2-5: R-1 Zone Minimum Interior Side and Rear Setbacks. See also Figure 2-2: R-1 Zone Minimum Interior Side and Rear Setbacks and Building Height.

Table 2-5: R-1 Zone Minimum Interior Side and Rear Setbacks

Table 2-5: R-1 Zone Minimum Interior Side and Rear Setbacks
Maximum Building Height Minimum Required Setback
Apoint this high on the roof of a building: Must be at least this far from thepropertyline:
1 – 12 feet 5 feet(minimum setback)
13 – 15 feet 6 feet
16 – 17 feet 7 feet
18 – 19 feet 8 feet
20 – 22 feet 109 feet
23 – 24 feet 1210feet
25 feet 1411feet

Figure 2-2: R-1 Zone Minimum Interior Side and Rear Setbacks and Building Height

==> picture [208 x 208] intentionally omitted <==

==> picture [163 x 186] intentionally omitted <==

17.16.030 – Additional ~~ Standards ~~ Regulations

  • A. Requirements and Findings for FAR Increase in R-1 Zone. These regulations are established to encourage development and additions that are compatible with neighborhood character in the R-1 zone. The maximum FAR may be increased from 0.4 to 0.5 if the building design incorporates one of the following:

    1. Single-Story. Buildings limited to one story with a maximum height of 14 feet to top of a flat roof and 20 feet to the ridge or peak of a sloped roof (with otherwise permitted exceptions allowed). The allowed single story shall not include mezzanines or lofts.

    2. Greater Setbacks. A second-story step back of at least 5f ive feet along the front façade facing and provide second-story side setbacks that are at least 3 t hree feet greater than the minimum required setback.

    3. Garage Location. Provide a detached garage located behind the main dwelling.

  • B. High-Occupancy Residential Use. Refer to Chapter XX1 7.14 8: (High-Occupancy Residential Use Regulations).

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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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