Short-Term Rental Regulations
in San Luis Obispo County, CA

County Vacation Rental Ordinance allows rental of a residence for less than 30 days in unincorporated SLO County but subject to location restrictions, operational standards, and zoning/land-use authorization. Operators must collect Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and comply with county permitting; an annual STR review fee is effective as of January 2026.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in San Luis Obispo County. 1) Obtain a Land Use Authorization / Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance from San Luis Obispo County Planning & Building via the PermitSLO portal. 2) Once authorized, contact the County Tax Collector to obtain a County Business License and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate (initial fee $50). 3) Maintain compliance with TOT reporting while operating.

1) Obtain a Land Use Authorization / Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance from San Luis Obispo County Planning & Building via the PermitSLO portal. 2) Once authorized, contact the County Tax Collector to obtain a County Business License and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) certificate (initial fee $50). 3) Maintain compliance with TOT reporting while operating.