Administrative overview · FIPS 06079
San Luis Obispo County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
San Luis Obispo County Department of Planning & Building
For a project in or near San Luis Obispo County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
Planning & Building (805) 781-5600; permits/inspections (805) 788-6602; Code Enforcement Hotline (805) 788-2350
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Old County Courthouse Building, 976 Osos Street, Room 200, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408; County Government Center mailing address: 1055 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
Operating hours
Permit Center: Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m.; Friday 7:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; closed on County-observed holidays. Walk-in service is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 7:30-11:30 a.m.; appointments are available for detailed assistance.
Review expectation
N/A for ordinary plan review; the County publishes a seven-phase workflow rather than a single typical approval time. Subsequent completeness-check cycles typically take 1-3 days; applicants have 10 business days to resubmit an incomplete package and 15 calendar days to pay intake or plan-review invoices.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for San Luis Obispo County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
San Luis Obispo County Department of Planning & Building is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact Planning & Building (805) 781-5600; permits/inspections (805) 788-6602; Code Enforcement Hotline (805) 788-2350.
How long might review take?
N/A for ordinary plan review; the County publishes a seven-phase workflow rather than a single typical approval time. Subsequent completeness-check cycles typically take 1-3 days; applicants have 10 business days to resubmit an incomplete package and 15 calendar days to pay intake or plan-review invoices.
How are inspections scheduled?
Use the PermitSLO portal to schedule inspections; requests must be received by 5:00 p.m. the day before the requested date. A permit-holder or contractor with a valid County construction or grading permit may schedule, and the inspector provides a two-hour arrival window. Inspections are generally Monday-Friday, with limited area-specific days; permitted work must be inspected before it is covered or concealed. Permit/inspection phone: (805) 788-6602.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
The County's current Codes and Ordinances page states that the 2022 California Building Standards Code updates are in effect, covering building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, energy, fire, and life-safety requirements, together with San Luis Obispo County Building and Construction Ordinance Title 19, land-use/subdivision ordinances, including Title 26 Growth Management Ordinance, and applicable County Fire requirements. The County specifically documents an agricultural accessory-building exemption under Title 19 when the structure meets the applicable California Building Code agricultural definition and the County's Title 19 Section 19.02.020(f) criteria. The exemption authorizes the exempt agricultural use only; separate construction or grading permits may still be required. N/A for a general County-published minor/cosmetic exemption list.