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Home Business in San Luis Obispo County, CA (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated San Luis Obispo County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of San Luis Obispo County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

Section 22.30.230 of the Inland Land Use Ordinance permits home occupations as accessory to a residence so long as the activity does not change the residential character of the neighborhood, does not generate retail walk-in traffic, and is limited to residents of the dwelling (no outside employees).

Home Occupation Standards (Title 22 § 22.30.230)

Some Restrictions

SLO County Code Enforcement FAQ (interpreting Title 22 § 22.30.230)

You can run a small business out your home if you first get a home occupation license. You cannot sell retail out of the house. The business cannot change the residential character of the neighborhood, nor increase traffic, noise or odors. No employees are allowed unless they are also residents of the home. A home occupation cannot take away from the required two off-street parking spaces.

Signage Rules

Title 22 § 22.30.230.H limits home occupation signage to a single non-illuminated identification sign with a maximum area of two square feet; a commercial vehicle parked on or adjacent to the site that displays the business name counts toward this maximum.

One Non-Illuminated 2 sq ft Identification Sign

Some Restrictions

SLO County Title 22 § 22.30.230.H (Home Occupations - Signs)

H. Signs. Signage shall be as provided by Chapter 22.20 (Signs) of this title. Signs shall be limited to one non-illuminated identification sign with a maximum area of two square feet, in compliance with Chapter 22.20 (Sign Standards). A commercial vehicle displaying any sign identifying the home occupation and parked on or adjacent to the residential site visible from the public street is incl...

Home Daycare

San Luis Obispo County Code Sec. 22.30.170(A) needs no permit for a home day care with six or fewer children, but seven to 12 children require a Zoning Clearance or Minor Use Permit. A new large day care home cannot open within 500 feet of another on the same residential block.

SLO County Home Day Care Permit Tiers

Some Restrictions

San Luis Obispo County Code § 22.30.170(A), (C)(2)

A.Permit requirements - Family day care homes. No permit is required for facilities with six or fewer children (Small Family Day Care Homes), which are not regulated by this Title; Zoning Clearance or Minor Use Permit approval is required for facilities with seven to 12 children (Large Family Day Care Homes). C.2.Concentration standards. In order to avoid excessive concentrations of large famil...

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