Short-term rental permit rules in San Luis Obispo County, CA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
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.
Short-term rental of an entire residence for fewer than 30 consecutive days is regulated as a 'Residential Vacation Rental' under two parallel ordinances: inland Title 22 LUO Section 22.30.510 and Coastal Zone Title 23 CZLUO Section 23.08.165. Both require a Zoning Clearance from the Department of Planning & Building plus a County Business License from the Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector-Public Administrator (ACTTCPA). The applicant must submit a grant deed, site plan showing parking, floor plan, and (in coastal areas) a Will-Serve letter from the water/sewer supplier. Vacation rentals are not allowed in an Accessory Dwelling Unit, Guesthouse, or Agricultural Worker Housing. Williamson Act parcels require an additional clearance. The annual business license fee is $50; renewal fees are lower. Beginning January 2026 the County also charges an annual review fee.
Operating without a Zoning Clearance, Business License, or TOT certificate is a code violation enforced by the Planning & Building Code Enforcement Division. The County maintains an online portal to report unlicensed short-term rentals, and an unpermitted rental can be ordered to cease operations and subject to administrative citations under Title 1 of the County Code.
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