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San Luis Obispo County · Renting & eviction

Short-term rentals in San Luis Obispo County

San Luis Obispo County's own rules on short-term rentals, with the code text for every value.

Ask about short-term rentals in San Luis Obispo County See coverage

Each rule below links to the section of the San Luis Obispo County Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (extracted October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What San Luis Obispo County's code says

San Luis Obispo County code What San Luis Obispo County's code adds
Allowed
  • Yes.
    Applies: Residential vacation rentals with a zoning clearance, business license and transient occupancy tax registration. Extra rules apply in the Adelaida/Willow Creek Area.
    § 22.30.510 · code text
    The following additional requirements apply to Residential Vacation Rentals in the Adelaida/Willow Creek Area shown in Figure 30-1, below.
  • Only in an existing single-family home, not in multi-family buildings or mobilehome parks.
    Applies: Los Osos.
    § 23.08.165 · code text
    Residential vacation rentals shall only be established within an existing single-family dwelling.
Cap on rentals
  • No more than 55 established and active residential vacation rentals.
    Applies: Los Osos only.
    § 23.08.165 · code text
    Rental of a residence shall not exceed four individual tenancies per calendar month as defined in Subsection d.
  • No more than 55.
    Applies: Los Osos: residential vacation rentals established and active with a valid, unexpired business license.
    § 23.08.165 · code text
    The number of residential vacation rentals established and active (valid and unexpired business license) shall not exceed 55.
  • No more than 1 residential vacation rental per parcel.
    Applies: Adelaida/Willow Creek Area.
    § 22.30.510 · code text
    No more than one residential vacation rental shall be established on any single parcel.
Nights per year
  • No more than 1 tenancy per 7 calendar days.
    Applies: Residential vacation rentals in this area. This limits tenancies, not nights.
    § 22.30.510 · code text
    Rental of a residential vacation rental shall not exceed one individual tenancy/occupancy per seven calendar days.
  • No more than 4 separate tenancies per calendar month.
    Applies: Inside the Cambria, Cayucos, Avila Beach and Los Osos urban reserve lines. This limits tenancies, not nights.
    § 23.08.165 · code text
    Rental of a residence shall not exceed four individual tenancies per calendar month.
Permit or registration
  • A Zoning Clearance, Business License and Transient Occupancy Tax Registration are required.
    Applies: Each residential vacation rental. In Los Osos, a Minor Use Permit is required instead of a Zoning Clearance.
    § 23.08.165 · code text
    Zoning Clearance, Business License and Transient Occupancy Tax Registration is required for each Residential Vacation Rental.

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent out my home short-term in San Luis Obispo County?

San Luis Obispo County's code: Yes. (Residential vacation rentals with a zoning clearance, business license and transient occupancy tax registration. Extra rules apply in the Adelaida/Willow Creek Area.) (§ 22.30.510); No more than 55 established and active residential vacation rentals. (Los Osos only.) (§ 23.08.165).

General information, not legal advice.

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