Special Events & Permits in San Luis Obispo County, CA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated San Luis Obispo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Park Event Permits
Using a San Luis Obispo County park for a fee-based activity, public demonstration, or reserved facility requires an advance permit under Code Sec. 11.04.040, and the parks director can deny it if the proposed use would threaten public safety, peace, or others' enjoyment of the park.
San Luis Obispo County Park Event Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsSan Luis Obispo County Code Sec. 11.04.040(a)
11.04.040 - Fees and permits.(a)(1)The director or designee shall adopt rules and regulations governing the use and issuance of permits provided by the department. The director or designee is authorized to execute permits within county parks or facilities, and for the use of county parks and facilities, at rates established in the fee schedule adopted by the board of supervisors. When such fee ...
Parade Permits
San Luis Obispo County exempts parades from its land use permit process. Under Land Use Ordinance Section 22.30.610(A)(3), parades and other temporary events held within a public right-of-way skip the Minor Use Permit that other temporary events need, as long as they satisfy the County Public Works Department and County Sheriff.
San Luis Obispo County Parade Right-of-Way Rule
Light RestrictionsSan Luis Obispo County Code § 22.30.610(A)(3)
A. Permit requirements. Minor Use Permit approval, except as follows... 3.Parades. Parades and other temporary events within the public right-of-way are not subject to land use permit requirements, provided that all requirements of the County Public Works Department and County Sheriff are met... F.Violation - Temporary Events. It is unlawful for any person to use or allow the use of property in...
Street Fair Rules
San Luis Obispo County requires a Temporary Commercial Outdoor Entertainment License, issued by the tax collector, for any outdoor concert, festival, circus, carnival or similar event drawing more than 3,000 paying attendees in the unincorporated area. Operating without one is unlawful under Code Chapter 6.56.
SLO County Outdoor Festival License Required
Significant RestrictionsSan Luis Obispo County Code § 6.56.030(a)
It is unlawful for any individual, partnership or corporation to hold, operate, maintain, conduct, advertise, sell or furnish tickets or other types of written authority for admission to a commercial outdoor entertainment activity as defined in this chapter, in the unincorporated area of the county, unless he, they or it shall first obtain a license from the tax collector to operate or conduct ...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Restaurants in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County can't set tables on the public sidewalk without a conditional encroachment permit. Section 13.10.046 requires Public Works, acting with Planning and Building's use-permit approval, to sign off on any sidewalk cafe, and it's allowed only on commercially zoned property.
SLO County Sidewalk Cafe Permit Required
Significant RestrictionsSan Luis Obispo County Code § 13.10.046
A sidewalk cafe may be permitted only by approval of a conditional encroachment permit that is issued under the department of public works in conjunction with the department of planning and buildings approval of the use permit. The director of public works may impose conditions as deemed necessary to assure the proposed operation meets the requirements of this chapter and to maintain the public...
All San Luis Obispo County ordinances
See every category we cover for San Luis Obispo County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
San Luis Obispo County Ordinance Hub →