Business Licensing & Operations in San Luis Obispo County, CA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated San Luis Obispo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
San Luis Obispo County Code Sec. 22.30.050(C) bars adult businesses within 500 feet of any residential land and within 1,000 feet of another adult business, school, library, church or public park. A Conditional Use Permit waiver is available only on findings that the use will not create a skid-row effect.
SLO County Adult Business Spacing Rules
Significant RestrictionsSan Luis Obispo County Code § 22.30.050(C)
In those land use categories where adult businesses regulated by this Section would otherwise be an allowable, permitted, or conditional use under Table 2-2, it shall be unlawful to cause or permit the establishment of any adult business if the adult business is to be located within: 1.500 feet of any land located within any Residential category or residential zone district; or 2.1,000 feet of ...
Massage Establishments
Anyone operating a massage establishment or working as a massage technician in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County must first obtain a county license under Sec. 6.75.010. The license is required in addition to standard business licensing and covers both the business location and each individual technician who isn't otherwise exempt.
Massage Establishment License Required, SLO County
Significant RestrictionsSan Luis Obispo County Code § 6.75.010
It is unlawful for any person or party to conduct business as a massage establishment or massage technician within the unincorporated areas of the county without first obtaining a license in compliance with the provisions of this title.
Tattoo & Body Modification
Tattoo parlors, permanent-cosmetics studios and body-piercing shops in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County must hold a body art establishment license under Code Chapter 6.80. The tax collector issues it only after a sheriff background investigation and a health officer permit are complete.
SLO County Body Art Establishment License
Significant RestrictionsSan Luis Obispo County Code § 6.80.010
It is unlawful for any person or party to conduct business as a body art establishment within the unincorporated areas of the county without first obtaining a license in compliance with the provisions of this title. This chapter does not apply to a body art establishment that: (1)Possesses a valid license to perform body art from another California jurisdiction;(2)Operates for fewer than five c...
Tobacco Retail License
San Luis Obispo County requires anyone acting as a tobacco retailer in the unincorporated area to hold a valid county tobacco retailer's license for each fixed location before selling tobacco, e-cigarettes, vape products or paraphernalia. County Code Sec. 8.23.110 makes unlicensed retailing a public nuisance, separate from a standard business license.
Tobacco Retailer License Required, SLO County
Significant RestrictionsSan Luis Obispo County Code § 8.23.110
It shall be unlawful for any person to act as a tobacco retailer without first obtaining and maintaining a valid tobacco retailer's license pursuant to this chapter for each location at which that activity is to occur. Tobacco retailing without a valid tobacco retailer's license is a public nuisance.
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