San Luis Obispo County, CA Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)

12 gives San Luis Obispo County two separate density incentive tracks. 010 is the county's own Regional Housing Incentives program, letting a multi-family project inside an Urban Reserve Line earn incentive points, two points per very-low-income unit built on site, that unlock additional density and reduced standards. , referred to in the code as State Density Bonus Law. A project that includes deed-restricted units for very low, lower, or moderate income households, transitional foster youth, disabled veterans, homeless persons, senior citizens, or a mixed-use component can be approved for a density bonus, plus incentives such as concessions and adjusted parking ratios, over and above the standard maximum residential density otherwise allowed by ordinance or by Planning Area Standards.

Subsection A states plainly that where the county's chapter conflicts with State Density Bonus Law, the state law prevails. To apply, a project must have five or more dwelling units before counting any bonus units, and the level of permit review required is the same as for a non-bonus project of that type, though CEQA review must still account for the bonus units. Applicants must include citations of the state and county density bonus code sections in their submittal package, along with documentation required by the county's Density Bonus Guide. 020 bonus is applied on top.