Applications and Forms - Planning

Applicants are encouraged to meet with Community Development Department staff prior to submitting an application. After discussing your project and important development standards (setbacks, height, parking, landscaping, etc.) that will apply to your project, staff will be happy to discuss and assist you with the application process. Such a preliminary meeting will help expedite the development process. This can be done by telephone at (805) 781-7170 or by visiting our office at 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. For additional information regarding the permit review process click here.

Planning Application (168kb, pdf)

This is the City's official Planning Application that must be submitted along with materials included on the appropriate checklist for a complete application, including applicable processing fee. 

Application Checklists (619kb, pdf)

Checklists include all the items needed for a complete application for the various projects that require planning review.  Planning staff will use these lists to check for completeness after they are submitted with the appropriate application fee. Please contact staff to help determine what type of application will be needed for your project. These forms were last updated July 1, 2023.

Home Occupation Permit Application (39.0 kb, pdf)

A home occupation permit is required when a person does business in a home, uses a home address as a business address on business tax certificates, or uses a home phone as a business phone. This includes businesses where work is actually occurring in the home, such as a home office, as well as home-based businesses doing work remotely, such as landscapers or housekeeping. Please note that property owner and homeowner association signatures of approval are required where applicable. Contact staff if you have any questions while filling out your application form, which can be submitted at the Community Development Department with your Business Tax Certificate Application.

Public School Tenant Permit Application (13kb, pdf)

A public school tenant permit application is required when a person establishes a business at the site of a public school at which space has become available do to declining enrollment. If you are interested in locating your business at a public school site, please contact staff to determine if the proposed use is allowed at the site and if this is the appropriate permit path.

Appeal Form (82kb, pdf)

In accordance to Chapter 17.126 of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code, the City's Planning Appeal Form must be completed and returned to appeal the decision of the Community Development Director or the Zoning Hearing Officer. Appeal forms and applicable fees shall be submitted with the Community Development Department within ten calendar days of the rendering of a decision which is being appealed. If the tenth day is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the appeal period shall extend to the next business day. Forms and payment may be submitted in person, by email to planning@slocity.org or by mail to the Community Development Department, 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. If you have questions regarding the Community Development appeal process please call (805) 781-7180.

Development Review Process Flowcharts (60kb, pdf)

Process flowcharts give the applicant and/or applicant's representative a general idea of the timeline and steps a project may take through the City's various development review processes.  

Development Standards Summary Table (140kb, pdf)

This document summarizes development standards for the City's various zoning designations and includes information on site density, setbacks, building heights, coverage, subdivision requirements and parking in an easy to read table format. These requirements cover most common situations, but special circumstances may exist and the Planning Division should be consulted