Creston, CA

Effective June 19, 2025, an amended SLO County fireworks ordinance (Title 6, Chapter 6.32) bans all unpermitted fireworks — including 'safe and sane' devices — throughout the unincorporated county, with administrative fines up to $1,000 per discharge and criminal penalties for dangerous fireworks.

San Luis Obispo County does not have a separate fire-pit chapter; outdoor recreational fires in unincorporated areas are governed by County Code 16.04.040 (burning limitations) and CAL FIRE/SLO County Fire's recreational-fire guidance, which restrict size, hours, attendance and clearance from combustibles.

Properties in SLO County State Responsibility Areas and High/Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones must maintain 100 feet of defensible space under California PRC 4291. Real-estate transfers of pre-2020 homes in these zones require a passing Defensible Space Inspection before sale (AB-38).

SLO County contains extensive High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, especially in coastal canyons, the Santa Lucia range, and inland chaparral. New construction must comply with California Building Code Chapter 7A wildland-urban interface standards including Class A roofing, ember-resistant vents, and dual-pane tempered glass.

SLO County Code § 16.04.040 sharply limits open outdoor burning in unincorporated areas — banning it between 9 a.m. and 5 a.m. the following day, within 30 ft of structures or flammable vegetation, or while unattended — and SLO County APCD rules make burning trash, plastics, tires and treated lumber unlawful throughout the county.

Backyard burning in unincorporated SLO County is allowed only for occupants of one- and two-family dwellings outside Urban or Village Reserve Lines, on a declared Permissive Burn Day, with both an APCD permit (~$50) and a CAL FIRE burn permit, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., subject to strict pile-size and setback limits.

Unincorporated SLO County allows storage of one RV on a residential lot but prohibits using it as a dwelling. RVs cannot be parked in the front setback except one self-propelled RV in a driveway. Living in an RV is only permitted in a state-approved RV or mobile home park.

Unincorporated San Luis Obispo County is served largely by rural and coastal roads without curbside parking regulation; vehicles must not obstruct the roadway. Abandoned vehicles fall under CA Vehicle Code §22651.

Storing commercial vehicles and farm equipment in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County is governed by county zoning, which is more permissive in agricultural and rural districts than in residential subdivisions.

Driveway approaches onto county roads in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County require an encroachment permit from County Public Works and must meet sight-distance, drainage and (in fire areas) emergency-access standards.

SLO County Code Section 9.08.020 requires all dogs to be securely leashed on public streets, parks, and other public places in unincorporated areas, or under direct heel control. Working herding dogs are exempt while actively herding livestock.

Keeping chickens, poultry, horses, and other livestock in unincorporated SLO County is regulated by the Land Use Ordinance (Title 22, inland) and Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance (Title 23, coastal), with density, setback, and minimum-parcel-size rules that vary by zoning category.

San Luis Obispo County Animal Services administers a soft household limit of three dogs and three cats per residence; owners wishing to keep more must apply annually for a Multiple Animal Permit (up to six animals at one residence).

No San Luis Obispo County-specific ordinance directly imposes breed-based bans or ownership restrictions; California state default applies. Under CA Food & Agricultural Code § 31683, local programs to control potentially dangerous or vicious dogs cannot be specific as to breed, except for spay/neuter and breeding regulations.

California restricts exotic pets through the Fish & Game Code and CDFW regulations — ferrets and hedgehogs are illegal statewide, and many wild/exotic species are prohibited. These restrictions apply in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County.

Beekeeping is broadly allowed in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County given its agricultural character, subject to county zoning setbacks. Hives must be registered with the county agricultural commissioner.

SLO County Code Section 22.56.030 (Tree Preservation) requires permits to remove native trees on most parcels, with special protections for native oaks. Cambria's Monterey pine forest has additional protections, and coastal tree removal is governed by Title 23 with potential Coastal Development Permit requirements.

Title 22 Chapter 22.56 (Tree Preservation) and Chapter 22.58 (Oak Woodland Ordinance) regulate tree removal in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County, requiring permits for Heritage Oaks, oak woodland clearing, and trees within sensitive areas; routine trimming and maintenance are generally not regulated.

No San Luis Obispo County-specific ordinance directly addresses a maximum lawn or grass height for unincorporated residential properties. Instead, dry grass and vegetation are regulated as a fire hazard under California Public Resources Code Sec. 4291 and California Health and Safety Code Sec. 14875.

San Luis Obispo County has adopted California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) by reference in County Code Chapter 19.95, requiring water-efficient design and irrigation for new development projects with 500 sq ft or more of landscape area.

San Luis Obispo County abates fire-hazardous weeds and rubbish under County Code Title 16 (Fire Prevention) and California Health and Safety Code Sec. 14875 et seq., authorizing the Fire Code Official to order clearance, enter and abate, and bill costs as a lien on the property.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

San Luis Obispo County's Land Use Ordinance specifies fence and screening materials by location. Required screening must generally be solid wood or masonry, or open wire/chain link that permits passage of at least 90 percent of light. Chain-link with slats plus landscaping may substitute for a solid wall only in industrial categories.

In unincorporated San Luis Obispo County, required fencing and screening must be at least 6 feet tall. Fences generally cannot exceed 6 feet 6 inches in height, except that fences up to 12 feet may be built only on property lines where a building could also be built, and decorative gateposts may rise to 14 feet 6 inches.

Typical residential fences in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County do not require a planning or building permit. However, fences that must be constructed per the Uniform/California Building Code (e.g., taller walls, pool/spa enclosures, masonry walls) do require a building permit, and discretionary approval is needed to exceed standard height or modify material requirements.

Shared boundary fences in California are governed by the Good Neighbor Fence Act (CA Civil Code §841), presuming adjoining owners share the cost equally after 30 days' notice — particularly relevant for rural and ranching parcels.

County zoning permits standard fence materials and, given the agricultural/ranching character of unincorporated San Luis Obispo County, allows agricultural and livestock fencing (including barbed wire) where land use supports it.

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.

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 occupations in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County must not generate traffic, parking demand or deliveries beyond what is normal for a residence; significant customer visits can disqualify the use.

Unincorporated San Luis Obispo County requires both a Home Occupation Zoning Clearance from Planning & Building and a County Business License from the Tax Collector before a home-based business may operate.

In unincorporated San Luis Obispo County, exterior noise at any noise-sensitive land use must not exceed 50 dBA equivalent (Leq) or 70 dBA maximum during the day (7 a.m.-10 p.m.) and 45 dBA Leq or 65 dBA maximum at night (10 p.m.-7 a.m.) under County Code Section 23.06.044.

Amplified music in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County is regulated under County Code Section 23.06.044, which reduces the applicable exterior noise limit by 5 dB when the noise consists primarily of speech or music. Temporary events with amplified sound require a Minor Use Permit and a noise study per Section 23.08.248.

Under San Luis Obispo County Code Section 9.04.080, a dog, cat or household pet is declared a public nuisance when three or more persons living in separate dwelling units in the neighborhood affirm in writing that the animal is a habitual nuisance due to frequent, persistent or long-continued howling, barking or other noise.

San Luis Obispo County Code Section 23.06.042(d) exempts construction noise from the exterior noise standards provided the activity occurs only between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, or between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Outside those windows, construction noise is enforceable.

Aircraft noise in flight is preempted by federal law and is expressly exempted from San Luis Obispo County's noise standards by Section 23.06.042. Land-use compatibility around the SLO County Regional Airport and Paso Robles Municipal Airport is controlled instead by the Airport Land Use Plan's CNEL contours.

Unincorporated San Luis Obispo County exempts one-story detached residential accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds or playhouses from building permits when the floor area does not exceed 120 sq ft, but they must still meet zoning setbacks: 3 ft from rear/interior side lines and 25 ft from the front property line.

Unincorporated San Luis Obispo County permits an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on any lot with an existing single-family dwelling under Title 22 Section 22.30.470, with a maximum size of 1,200 sq ft, minimum 4 ft side/rear setbacks for detached units, and no off-street parking required.

Unincorporated San Luis Obispo County allows conversion of an existing garage or other accessory structure into an accessory dwelling unit under Title 22 Section 22.30.470(G), with a maximum size of 1,000 sq ft and up to 150 sq ft of expansion permitted for ingress and egress.

Residential pools and non-self-contained spas in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County must be enclosed by a permanent, non-removable barrier at least 60 inches tall before they can be filled with water, per CBC Section 3109 and County Code 15.04.320.

Every residential pool or spa in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County requires a construction permit through Planning & Building, with a complete submittal package including plot plan, pool plan, structural details, and product cut-sheets per handout BLD-1053.

Pool construction in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County must meet the California Building Code and Swimming Pool Safety Act — a 60-inch barrier, anti-entrapment drain covers, and electrical bonding. A county building permit and inspections are required.

Above-ground pools holding more than 18 inches of water in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County require a county building permit and the same barrier protection as in-ground pools; ladders must be removable or secured when unattended.

SLO County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and adopts FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zone A, AE, VE) cover stretches of the Salinas River, Arroyo Grande Creek, San Luis Obispo Creek, and coastal areas in Cayucos, Oceano, and Avila Beach. Construction in SFHAs requires elevation to or above Base Flood Elevation.

Coastal development in unincorporated SLO County is governed by Title 23 (Coastal Zone Land Use Ordinance) and the certified Local Coastal Program. Most development between the sea and the first coastal road requires a Coastal Development Permit. Cayucos, Pismo Beach (county-adjacent), Cambria, and Los Osos all sit within the LCP area.