San Luis Obispo County, CA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
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.
Key Facts
- Inland Code Section
- Title 22 LUO Sec. 22.30.510
- Coastal Code Section
- Title 23 CZLUO Sec. 23.08.165
- Business License Fee
- $50 annual
- ADU/Guesthouse Eligible?
- No
- Permit Agency
- Planning & Building + ACTTCPA
Summary
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.
A vacation rental is not allowed in an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), Guesthouse, or Agricultural Worker Housing.
Full Breakdown
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.
Violations & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit if I only rent occasionally?
Can I run a vacation rental in my ADU or guesthouse?
Are inland and coastal rules the same?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Luis Obispo County
How San Luis Obispo County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·California rules heatmap·Compare San Luis Obispo County to another location·View the California short-term rentals overview
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