A. Purpose. The zoning regulations are intended to guide the development of the city in an orderly manner, implement the policies of the general plan, protect and enhance the quality of the natural and built environment, promote the public health, safety and general welfare by regulating the use of land and buildings and the location and basic form of structures, and provide the physical, environmental, economic, and social advantages that result from the orderly planned use of land resources.

B. Authority. The zoning regulations are enacted based on the authority vested in the city of San Luis Obispo and its charter, and the state of California, including but not limited to the State Constitution, Planning and Zoning Law (California Government Code Section 65800 et seq.), and the California Health and Safety Code.

C. The zoning regulations shall apply, to the extent permitted by law, to all property within the limits of the city of San Luis Obispo and to property for which applications for annexation and/or subdivisions have been submitted to the city of San Luis Obispo, including all uses, structures and land owned by any private person, firm, corporation or organization, the city of San Luis Obispo, or other local, state or federal agencies. Any governmental agency shall be exempt from the provisions of the zoning regulations only as required by otherwise applicable state and federal law. The city of San Luis Obispo shall be exempt from the requirements of the zoning regulations for public safety features associated with public projects necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare. “Public safety features” are defined as structures, architectural elements, devices, barriers, technology, communications, operational resiliency, fencing and/or walls, or other features of a public project that protect the public health, safety and welfare of the community. (Ord. 1750 § 3 (Exh. A), 2025; Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)

A. Ambiguity. The director is assigned the responsibility and authority to interpret these regulations, subject to the appeal procedures of Chapter 17.126 (Appeals).

C. Conflict with Private Provisions. These regulations are not intended to interfere with or annul any easement, covenant, or other agreement between private parties. Where these regulations impose a restriction different from a private agreement, the provisions which are more restrictive or which impose higher standards shall control.

D. Internal Conflicts. Where provisions indicated in this article conflict with provisions of other applicable laws, including these zoning regulations and other adopted ordinances, the more restrictive provision shall prevail.

E. Terminology. When used in this chapter, the following rules apply to all provisions of the zoning regulations:

F. Number of Days. Whenever the number of days is specified in the zoning regulations, or in any permit, condition of approval, or notice issued or given as provided in the zoning regulations, the number of days shall be construed as calendar days, unless otherwise specified. When the last of the specified number of days falls on a weekend or city holiday, time limits shall extend to the end of the next working day.

G. Fractions. Except as otherwise provided, the fractional/decimal results of calculations of one-half (0.5) or greater shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number and fractions of less than one-half (0.5) shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

H. Minimum Requirements. When interpreting and applying the zoning regulations, all provisions shall be considered to be minimum requirements, unless specifically stated otherwise. (Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)

A. Authority of Director to Interpret. Whenever, in the opinion of the director, or at the discretion of the planning commission, there is any question regarding the interpretation of the general plan, a specific plan, or the provisions of the zoning regulations or its application to any specific case or situation that warrants formal interpretation, the director shall interpret the relevant provision of the general plan, specific plan, or zoning regulations by written decision or refer the question to the planning commission for determination.

B. Appeals. Any interpretation of the zoning regulations by the director or planning commission may be appealed in compliance with Chapter 17.126 (Appeals). (Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)

A. Use Not Listed Is Not Allowed. If a use of land is not specifically listed in Chapter 17.10 (Use Regulations), the use shall not be allowed, except as provided below.

B. Director’s Determination. Based on the authority granted in Section 17.04.020 (Procedures for Interpretation), the director may determine that a land use that is not listed in Chapter 17.10 (Use Regulations) may be allowed. In making this determination, the director shall first make all of the following findings:

C. Applicable Standards and Permit Requirements. When the director determines that an unlisted land use is equivalent to a listed use, the unlisted use will be treated in the same manner as the listed use in determining where the use is allowed, what permits are required, and what other standards and requirements of the zoning regulations apply.

D. Uses Not Permitted in the City. Notwithstanding the above, prohibited uses listed in Section 17.10.020(F) (Prohibited Uses), any use not expressly allowed by these zoning regulations, and any other uses determined by the director to have equivalent characteristics and activities to these prohibited uses, shall not be treated as permitted or conditionally permitted uses in any zone of the city. (Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)

A. General. The city is divided into zones to allow for orderly, planned development and to implement the general plan.

B. Base Zone. Every parcel shall have a base zone that establishes the primary type and intensity of land use permitted, along with development regulations for that particular type and intensity of land use.

C. Overlay Zone. An overlay zone supplements the base zone for the purpose of establishing special use or development regulations for a particular area in addition to the provisions of the underlying base zone. In the event of conflict between the base zone regulations and the overlay zone regulations, the provisions of the overlay zone shall apply.

D. Zones Established. All zones shall be listed and appropriately designated on the official zoning map. For purposes of the regulations set out in this title, the following zones are created:

A. General. Boundaries between zones generally follow lot lines or their extensions, physical features, or contour lines, as noted on the official zoning map. Boundaries adjoining streets shall be assumed to follow the centerlines of streets if such location becomes an issue in the use of private property, as when a street is abandoned. Zones which meet a street centerline shall not be considered “adjacent.”

B. Split Zoning. A split-zoned parcel is a parcel to which two or more base zones apply (which does not include overlay zones). All applicable zoning regulations for each particular zone shall be applied separately for each portion of a parcel that is split-zoned. This includes the front, rear and side setback regulations, regardless of the standard setback definition provided in Chapter 17.158 (General Definitions), as well as any applicable lot coverage regulations.

C. Determination. The location of boundaries which are not readily determined by inspection of the official zoning map shall be determined by the director. (Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018)