San Luis Obispo County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Coastal Tenancy Limit
- 4 per calendar month
- Inland Tenancy Limit
- 1 per 7 calendar days
- Coastal Separation
- 200 linear feet (both sides of street)
- Typical Occupancy Formula
- 2 per bedroom + 2
- Code Sections
- Sec. 23.08.165 (Coastal) / 22.30.510 (Inland)
Summary
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.
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.
Full Breakdown
Coastal Zone Section 23.08.165 sets two key density controls. First, 'rental of a residence shall not exceed four individual tenancies per calendar month,' which prevents conversion to nightly hotel-style operation. Second, '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,' measured property line to property line. Cambria, Cayucos, and Avila Beach have additional location standards layered on top of the 200-foot rule. Inland Section 22.30.510 imposes a different cadence cap of one individual tenancy per seven calendar days. Practical occupancy of the dwelling itself is governed by the County Building Code and the standard formula applied through the zoning clearance of two persons per bedroom plus two additional persons.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the four-tenancies-per-month or seven-day tenancy limits, or operating within the 200-foot exclusion zone, is grounds for revocation of the Zoning Clearance and Business License, plus administrative citations. Repeated violations can result in the property being permanently barred from vacation-rental use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many separate guest groups can I rent to each month in a Cambria or Cayucos rental?
Can I have a neighbor running another vacation rental next door?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Luis Obispo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Luis Obispo County to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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