City Administration

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The City Administration department is the home of the City Manager and is responsible for guiding the day-to-day operations of the City. The Deputy City Manager serves as the Department Head, working with department staff on the following programs.

CITY COUNCIL
Administration provides support to the City Council, including agenda management, policy implementation, and City Council Assistant.
CITY CLERK
The City Clerk facilitates the municipal election program, legislative services program, records management program, municipal code, and advisory body program.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The City's Economic Development Program works to implement the Economic Development Strategic Plan and is home to the City's Tourism and Community Promotions programs.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The IT program manages information technology tools that improveg organizational productivity, customer service, and access to City information.
OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
The Office of DEI leads in supporting organizational initiatives rooted in advancing San Luis Obispo’s effort to be a more inclusive and equitable community.
OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY
The City's Office of Sustainability is home to the Natural Resources, Climate Action, Community Partnerships, and Creeks and Watersheds programs.

News and Updates

Get the latest information and news brought to you by the City Administration team.

News

Take Our Survey to Help Set City Priorities
The 2025-27 Community Priorities Survey opens on Nov. 12 and closes on Dec. 13, 2024.

11/12/2024 10:44 AM
Administrative Actions
11/14/2024 8:00 AM
City to Kick Off Financial Planning Process This Month
The City of San Luis Obispo is seeking input from all community members to help establish priorities that will guide the City’s next two-year financial plan.

11/07/2024 2:30 PM

More News

Staff	Title	Departments	Phone	Email
McDonald, Whitney	City Manager	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7114	Email
Hill, Bob	Sustainability & Natural Resources Official	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7211	Email
Otte, Freddy	Biologist	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7511	Email
Cano, Molly	Economic Development & Tourism Manager	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7165	Email
Hermann, Greg	Deputy City Manager	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7194	Email
Purrington, Teresa	City Clerk	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7102	Email
Read, Chris	Sustainability Manager	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7151	Email
Szentesi, Whitney	Public Communications Manager	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 783-7716	Email
Veloz-Passalacqua, Nestor	Diversity Equity and Inclusion Manager	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7073	Email
Pohlman , Lucia	Sustainability and Natural Resources Analyst	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 783-7869	Email
Wilbanks , Megan	Deputy City Clerk	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7103	Email
Iriarte, Juanita	Communications Coordinator	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7446	Email
Clark-Charlesworth, Jacqui	Tourism & Community Promotions Manager	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7216	Email
Colunga-Lopez, Andrea	Administrative Assistant II	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7105	Email
Taffe, McKenzie	Economic Development Analyst	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7155	Email
Erquiaga, Josh	Information Technology Manager	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7526	Email
Harnett, Natalie	Policy and Project Manager	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7282	Email
Armas, Sara	Deputy City Clerk I	Administration%20%26%20IT	(805) 781-7110	Email

Contact

Phone: (805)781-7114
Fax: (805)781-7109

City Hall
990 Palm Street, Room #1
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday-Thursday

Friday - By Appointment

Closed on National Holidays or as posted

FAQ Box

1. When does a tree in the City of San Luis Obispo require a Tree Removal Permit?

A complete application packet is required for removal of any Street Tree; any tree over the size requirement listed in Section 12.24.090(C); any tree within 25' of a creek bank; any tree that is related to development, construction or remodel; and any tree that is within a commercial area or part of a community development approved plan such as a shopping center, apartment, condo, or any HOA managed property.
2. How much does it cost to submit a tree removal application?

Please refer to page 4 to view the current tree removal fees in our Comprehensive Fee Schedule.
Fees are payable by check to City of San Luis Obispo upon in person submission of complete application or via credit card if emailed. Applications may be emailed to Walter Gault at wgault@slocity.org
3. Can anyone remove a tree in the City of San Luis Obispo?

Only a property owner or authorized agent acting on behalf of the property owner can submit a tree removal application for review by the City Arborist.
4. Can a tree be removed without paying for a tree removal permit?
Yes, but only when the tree is located on developed residential zoned private property R-1 and R-2 zones and under 20'' diameter at diameter standard height (DSH) or a native tree under 10'' in diameter at DSH. (see list below).
Any tree removals related to Development, Construction, Multi-Family and Commercial zoned property, or part of a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) will need a Tree Removal Application on file with the City of San Luis Obispo.

A permit is not required - Section 12.24.090 (C): if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The tree is a designated native species and the trunk is less than ten inches in diameter as measured by diameter standard height (DSH, four feet, six inches per International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) standards) (see Section 12.24.030, Definitions; native trees), or when the tree is nonnative and the trunk is less than twenty inches DSH; and
2. The tree is not located within a creek setback area (see Section 17.70.030); and
3. The tree is not a designated street tree, and is not located within ten feet of the back of the sidewalk; and
4. Planting or retention of the tree was not a condition of development; or
5. The tree is a palm and the trunk is less than twelve inches DSH.

Native Trees Under 10" Diameter:
5. How is a tree measured to determine if it needs a Tree Removal Application?

The diameter of a tree is calculated by taking the circumference measurement around the tree at 41/2 feet above ground level (if on a slope, taken from the uphill side).Once you know the circumference, divide that number by 3.14 to get the diameter of the tree. Example: A tree’s circumference measures 72” around so divide that number by 3.14 to equal 22.9” in diameter.
6. What are "Street Trees" and who maintains them?

Street Trees make up a large part of the city’s Urban Forest. The trees planted in the parkway area between the sidewalk and the street including neighborhood theme trees, are generally considered Street Trees. Our Urban Forest Services conducts zonal pruning on these trees every 8-10 years. In between that time, property owners can hire a certified arborist with a current San Luis Obispo business license to prune a Street Tree at their expense and only with City Arborists’ approval.
7. Can a property owner apply to have a Street Tree removed?

Yes, a property owner can submit a Tree Removal Application including fee, to remove a Street Tree. If approved, removal of tree and replacement replanting will be at the property owner’s expense.
8. What qualifications are required by the City when hiring a tree care contractor to prune my private trees or the City Street Tree in front of my property?

Tree care contractors must possess an appropriate contractor's license, business license in the City and have at least one currently certified ISA Arborist on its staff overseeing any approved tree work. Please contact Public Works at 781-7220 regarding any proposed tree work on a City Street Tree.
Can I blow my leaves into the gutter?

No. Leaves cannot be intentionally blown, left, or deposited in the gutter, stormdrain, or drainage system. In natural settings, only the leaves from trees and bushes next to the creek would fall into a creek. While a little amount of this natural material can be beneficial, the amount picked up by all the trees in the City is far more than the creek can tolerate.
Do I need a permit for my rainwater collection system?

Per City of San Luis Obispo Municipal Code, the following must be met to be exempt from a permit for rainwater collection:

"A water tank or a group of water tanks intended for storage of irrigation water only supported directly on grade if the capacity does not exceed 600 gallons in total on a parcel, the height does not exceed seven feet, the ratio of height to width does not exceed 2:1 (provided that water tanks with minor ratio deviances may be allowed under this section in the discretion of the Chief Building Official, subject to review of the deviation by the Chief Building Official and verification that such minor deviations do not adversely impact structural stability), and it is not visible from the public right-of-way that abuts the front yard".

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News and Updates

News

Native Trees Under 10" Diameter: