San Luis Obispo County · Building on your lot
Building on your lot in San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo County's code applies only in unincorporated areas of the county. It limits accessory buildings in side yards and sets rules for home businesses.
Key points
- Side-yard buildings: Accessory buildings in a required side yard that are not used for living are limited to 12 feet (county rule).
- Home businesses: A home business needs Zoning Clearance; only household members may work on site, and services allow 1 client vehicle at a time.
Each rule below is marked San Luis Obispo County code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
San Luis Obispo County's code applies in the unincorporated areas of the county. Cities in San Luis Obispo County have their own codes and their own pages.
Sheds, garages and other accessory structures
| Maximum height |
|
|---|---|
| Side and rear setback |
|
Running a business from home
San Luis Obispo County code A home business needs Zoning Clearance; only household members may work on site, and services allow 1 client vehicle at a time.
All 7 San Luis Obispo County rules on running a business from home, with the code text →
Solar panels and EV chargers
| EV charger permit |
|
|---|
Tree removal
San Luis Obispo County code No tree removal permit is required. No tree removal permit is required.
All 9 San Luis Obispo County rules on tree removal, with the code text →
Swimming pools
| Maintenance and empty pools |
|
|---|
Grading and erosion control
San Luis Obispo County code Cut faces and fill surfaces may be no steeper than 2 horizontal to 1 vertical (2:1). No permit for up to 1,000 square feet disturbed and up to 50 cubic yards of cut plus fill.
All 3 San Luis Obispo County rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text →
Park and impact fees for new homes
San Luis Obispo County code Remodels, additions or changes to existing homes are exempt, unless they add units. Home accessory buildings, including garages and carports, are exempt.
All 4 San Luis Obispo County rules on park and impact fees for new homes, with the code text →
Family child care homes
| Zoning | A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning |
|---|---|
| Business license or fee | A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home |
| Local rules | Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone |
| Small home | Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
| Large home | 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there |
Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary)
San Luis Obispo County code The first 2,200 square feet of the unit are exempt from fees. Projects of 11 or more dwelling units that provide moderate and/or low-income units.
Group homes and residential care
| Homes for 7 or more |
|
|---|---|
| Homes for 6 or fewer |
|
Trash and recycling carts
San Luis Obispo County code Mandatory to use the authorized collection service Entirely above ground level at a location convenient for access by collection personnel during collection
All 5 San Luis Obispo County rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text →
Other San Luis Obispo County rules on this
San Luis Obispo County's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Limits on dogs and cats per home (§ 9.03.002)
- Animal keeping on private property (§ 22.30.090)
- Urban lot splits (SB 9) (§ 21.02.041)
- Flood hazard area standards (§ 22.14.060)
- Noise standards (§ 22.10.120)
- Loud amplified sound (§ 7.18.010)
- Exterior lighting (§ 22.10.060)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How big can a shed or accessory building be in San Luis Obispo County?
Accessory buildings in a required side yard that are not used for living are limited to 12 feet (county rule).
Do I need a permit for solar panels or an EV charger in San Luis Obispo County?
San Luis Obispo County's code: Expedited administrative, nondiscretionary review for charging stations that meet the county checklist. (Applies to electric vehicle charging stations.) (§ 19.09.016).
Can I run a family child care home in San Luis Obispo County?
California law sets this for every city, including San Luis Obispo County: Zoning: A small or large family child care home is a residential use and a use by right under all local ordinances, including zoning (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(a)); Business license or fee: A city or county may not charge a business license, fee or tax to run a family child care home (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(b)); Local rules: Local limits on height, setbacks, lot size, health and safety must be the same as for every other home in the same zone (Health & Safety Code § 1597.45(e)); Small home: Up to eight children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(c)); Large home: 7 to 14 children, counting the provider's own children under 10 who live there (Health & Safety Code § 1596.78(b)).
Where are group homes and residential care homes allowed in San Luis Obispo County?
San Luis Obispo County's code: Minor Use Permit required. (Board and care homes for ambulatory residents (no medical care) with more than 6 boarders, in a single-family residence or a larger facility.) (§ 23.08.110); No land use permit is required. (6 or fewer persons provided 24-hour care in a single-family residence.) (§ 23.08.110).
General information, not legal advice.
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