As a reminder for those who experienced water intrusion in their home:

• Wearing protective clothing, check your home for any hazards or structural damage.
• Look above for any tree or electrical hazards.
• Check for any gas leaks.
• Document damages and contact your insurance company.
• Dry out your home as quickly as possible to reduce mold.
• Remove debris.
• Remove damaged drywall and flooring.
• Assess submerged appliances.

For more detailed information, visit RecoverSLO.org

Community members are responsible for repairing damage or removing debris on their own private property. It is recommended to submit detailed records and costs to your insurance carrier for reimbursement. We recommend that property owners follow these established procedures  for  property damage repairs and claims:

1. Select a licensed contractor. Verify  that  contractors  are  licensed  before  signing  or agreeing  to  any  repair  contracts (see a list of licensed contractors in the City of San Luis Obispo). Be sure to verify  certification  of  liability and  workman’s  compensation  insurance. Complaints against  licensed  contractors  may  be  referred  to  the appropriate licensing  agency.
   
   
2. Require  your  contractors  to  obtain  the  proper  permits for  work  being  performed. Construction projects to repair damages caused by accidents and natural disasters require building permits and inspections. For your convenience, the City has provided a list of work that is exempt from the building permit requirement (however, the work must still comply with the minimum standards of the building code).  Download the list of exempt emergency repair work (PDF). 
   • Permits  are  required  for any  permanent  improvement  (including  painting, roofing,  siding,  additions,  alterations,  etc.)  to  a structure  and  for  site  work  such  as  grading,  filling,  etc.
   • Permits  are  required,  even  if  property owners  are  doing  the work  themselves.  In general, permit applications must be submitted and reviewed prior to any work commencing, but repairs are allowed to begin immediately in emergency circumstances. However, in most cases an application for a permit must be submitted to the Building Official within one (1) business day of the work beginning.
   • It is recommended that contractors or property owners take pictures before and during emergency work.
3. If you have any questions  about  permits  or  contractor  licensing, please call  the  City  of  San  Luis Obispo Building Division at (805) 781-7180.

Any  job  requiring  work  or  construction  staging  in  the public  right-of-way  (streets,  sidewalks,  easements,  or access  to  public  utilities)  requires  a  separate encroachment  permit. Encroachment  permits  can  be issued  to  a  licensed  contractor  or  the  homeowner  (in some  cases).

•  Above the Flood: Elevating Your Floodprone House, FEMA-347 (2000)
•  Answers to Questions About the National Flood Insurance Program, F-084 (2011)
•  Coastal Construction Manual, FEMA-P-55, (2011)
•  Elevated Residential Structures, FEMA-54 (1984)
•  Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards, FEMA P-85 (2009)
•  Mitigation of Flood and Erosion Damage to Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas, FEMA-257 (1994)
•  Protecting Building Utilities From Flood Damage, FEMA-P-348 (1999)
•  Protecting Floodplain Resources, FEMA-268 (1996)
•  Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding, FEMA 511 (2005)

MARCH 2023 STORMS

Although Individual Assistance has been approved, the County Office of Emergency Services is collecting damage information to provide to the state to request financial assistance for business owners and farmers/ranchers. Please help us by letting us know what your damages are.  

REPORT DAMAGES FROM THE MARCH 2023 STORMS

San Luis Obispo County was added to the FEMA major disaster declaration (FEMA-4683-DR).  This mean individuals are now eligible to apply for financial assistance for January 2023 storm-related damages. The deadline to apply is March 16, 2023. 

FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial and direct services to eligible individuals and households affected by a disaster, who have uninsured or under-insured necessary expenses and serious needs. IHP assistance is not a substitute for insurance and cannot compensate for all losses caused by a disaster. The assistance is intended to meet your basic needs and supplement disaster recovery efforts.

Before you apply for assistance, below are the steps you need to take to start your recovery process:

Step One: Take photos of your damaged home and belongings.

Step Two: Make a list of damaged/lost items.

Step Three: Save yourself time. If you have insurance, you must file a claim with your insurance company. If you do not have insurance, continue to Step Four.

Step Four: Now that you're ready to apply now for disaster assistance or you would like more information on the types of assistance available, please utilize one of the following methods.

APPLY FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE BY MARCH 16, 2023

Please report any maintenance needs on public property in the City of San Luis Obispo via Ask SLO, the City’s centralized resident engagement platform. Public maintenance needs include things like a pothole, fallen trees, debris in the road or in creeks, etc.).

You can download the Ask SLO app on your smart phone from the Apple App Store or via Google Play. Or you can use the form below (to get started, click the "Make a Request for: Maintenance Request" button.)

US Small Business Administration Disaster Loans

In California, San Luis Obispo County, including the City of San Luis Obispo, is a declared disaster area. Businesses in SLO that have sustained physical damage or economic injury due to the  may apply for assistance from the US Small Business Administration. Application filing deadlines vary, but the first one is March 16, 2023. For details, fact sheets and more information, visit the SBA website. 

GET SBA DISASTER INFORMATION

Special Office Hours for Flood-Related Permit Applications

The Building and Safety Division of the City's Community Development Department will be available outside of public office hours through the month of February to process permit applications for flood remediation and repair work. Please email building@slocity.org to schedule an appointment.

Special office hours are: 

• Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm
• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00pm to 4:00pm
• Fridays from 10:00am to 3:00pm

Request Help from the City 

If your business needs support or help from the City of San Luis Obispo, please fill out this form.

You were not repaid for the damage to your property that was lost or damaged due to a sudden, unexpected, or unusual:

• Earthquake
• Fire
• Flood
• Similar event

You may deduct a disaster loss suffered in California beginning on or after January 1, 2014, and before January 1, 2024. For 2014 and prior, see How to Claim a State Tax Deduction for Your Disaster Loss (FTB Pub 1034). 

Storm disaster victims have a tax day extension and that they can claim disaster losses when filing their 2022 tax returns.

How to claim the disaster loss deduction on your tax return

The disaster loss must be claimed in the taxable year the disaster occurred or in the taxable year immediately before the disaster occurred. If you meet the qualifications to claim a disaster loss, the same disaster rules and extended deadlines apply to you.

1. File your tax return

   • e-file
     1. Use the disaster code from the List of disasters for California
   • Paper
     1. Print the following information in blue or black ink across the top of your return:
        • Disaster
        • Name of disaster from the List of disasters
        • The year the loss occurred
        • Example: Disaster – Camp Fire – 2018

2. Include or attach:

   • A clearly written statement to your loss documentation that indicates:
     1. The date of the disaster
     2. The location of the disaster (city, county, and state)
     3. Your decision to deduct the loss in the taxable year before the year the disaster occurred (optional)
   • Copies of the following federal forms:
     1. A completed federal Casualties and Thefts (use California amounts) (Form 4684)
     2. A copy of your federal income tax return
     3. Any supporting federal schedules that verify your deduction
   • You may also need the following California forms:
     1. Sales of Business Property (Schedule D-1)
        Schedule D-1 instructions
     2. Net Operating Loss (NOL) Computation and NOL and Disaster Loss Limitations Individuals, Estates, and Trusts (FTB 3805V)
        FTB 3805V instructions
     3. Net Operating Loss (NOL) Computation and NOL and Disaster Loss Limitations Corporations (FTB 3805Q)
        FTB 3805Q instructions

Learn more about Storm Victim Tax Relief

Report unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent or deceptive business practices, such as suspected price gouging, by emailing sloconsumercomplaint@co.slo.ca.us. 

For more Consumer Protection information in SLO County, visit www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/District-Attorney/Special-Prosecutions/Consumer-Protection.

Private Property Debris Removal 

If you have storm-related debris or storm-damaged property at your residence or business, please do not leave that property curbside. 

What should you do? 

1. Please call San Luis Garbage at 805-543-0875 (Monday – Friday from 8AM to 4:30PM to schedule a special pickup)
2. Self-haul the materials to Cold Canyon Landfill
3. For bigger debris removal projects, please consider renting a roll-off

Additional Questions?
Please email RecycleRight@slocity.org if you have additional questions.

Public Property Debris Removal

Please report any maintenance needs including fallen trees and requests for debris removal on public property in the City of San Luis Obispo via Ask SLO, the City’s centralized resident engagement platform. Public maintenance needs include things like a pothole, fallen trees, debris in the road or in creeks, etc.).

You can download the Ask SLO app on your smart phone from the Apple App Store or via Google Play. Or you can use the form below (to get started, click the "Make a Request for: Maintenance Request" button.)

If you believe the City is responsible for damage or injury related to the storm, you can complete and submit a claim with written justification for the amount of the claim. Complete all sections of the claim form, including why you think the City is responsible, and submit the claim form within six months of the incident. Note: Incomplete claim forms may be returned as insufficient.  

Once you have filed your claim, you will receive a letter within 45 days from the City’s Claims Administrator (Carl Warren & Company) indicating your claim has been received and is being investigated.

FILE A CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY