5 rules for unincorporated San Luis Obispo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Every short-term rental in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County must obtain a Zoning Clearance, a County Business License, and a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate before renting. Inland properties are governed by County Code Section 22.30.510; coastal properties (Cambria, Cayucos, Avila Beach, and other Coastal Zone parcels) by Section 23.08.165.
San Luis Obispo County Coastal Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance (per CZLUO Sec. 23.08.165)
A vacation rental is not allowed in an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), Guesthouse, or Agricultural Worker Housing.
STR guests in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County are bound by the county noise ordinance — loud or disturbing noise, especially at night, can be cited. Coastal and wine-country areas have active STR enforcement.
Short-term rentals in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County are subject to the county Transient Occupancy Tax (around 9–10%) plus a tourism assessment on stays under 30 days. The county also requires STR/vacation-rental permits in many areas.
STR guest parking in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County must comply with county zoning off-street parking standards; coastal and rural road parking must not obstruct the roadway.
In the Coastal Zone, no residence may host more than four individual tenancies per calendar month, and a new vacation rental cannot be located within 200 linear feet of an existing one on the same or opposite side of the street. The inland ordinance (Sec. 22.30.510) limits rental to one individual tenancy per seven calendar days.
San Luis Obispo County Code Sec. 23.08.165 (Coastal Zone Residential Vacation Rentals)
Rental of a residence shall not exceed four individual tenancies per calendar month. No residential vacation rental shall be located within 200 linear feet of a parcel on the same side of the street as the vacation rental and 200 linear feet of the parcel on the opposite side of the street.
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