Commercial Business Clearance Application

Business License Zoning Clearance process for a:

  • Bed & Breakfast - renting a bedroom short-term in a rural area
  • Commercial Retail or Service 
  • Homestay - renting a bedroom short-term in an urban area
  • Industrial Operation
  • Restaurant

What is the process?

Step 1: Important

Please read through the entire application process below before apply for a commercial bussines zoning clearance. There are multiple steps that must be completed with the Planning & Building Department as well as with the Tax Collector. 

FAQs can also be found at the end of this page.

Step 2: Verify if Proposed Business is Allowed

Complete the form below to verify if a commercial business can be applied for at a specific address:

Step 3: Wait for Response

Wait for Planning staff to reply to the business location verification request before continuing to the next step.

Step 4: Initiate Application with County Tax Collector

Then initiate a business license application with the County Tax Collector.

Please remember to continue to the next step with the Planning Department after this step is complete.

Step 5: Apply on PermitSLO

Then apply for a Business License Zoning Clearance online.

  1. Access PermitSLO
  2. Find the "Business License Zoning Clearance"
  3. Click, "Apply"

 

Step 6: Pay Invoice

Planning staff will email the billing contact an invoice. Pay invoice here*.

Once the invoice is paid, the project review timeline will begin.

Please note for all Planning and Building applications, after 15 days of non-payment of invoice, the application will be voided and resubmittal will be required.

Step 7: Tax Collector will Continue Processing

Once Planning staff approves the Zoning Clearance, Planning will notify the Tax Collector, and the Tax Collector will mail the business license to the applicant.

Who is eligible?

This service is available to anyone applying for a County business license that:

  • Proposes a new commercial business;
  • Involves a change of use in an existing structure;
  • Name change of an existing commercial business; or
  • Renews an existing commercial business that utilizes leased off-site parking.

Is there a charge for this service?

Please refer to the Department of Planning & Building Fee Schedule for application fees.

When and where is this service offered?

This service is available throughout the year during regular business hours except during scheduled holidays.

Location, directions and hours of operation

Click on location name to show hours of operation, directions and phone information

Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM


976 Osos Street Room 200
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408

Tel: (805) 781-5600

Fax: (805) 781-1242

Permits/Inspections: (805) 788-6602

FAQS

For a home distribution, home handcraft, home office, or home personal service, follow the Home Occupation Clearance application process.

Planning staff will typically contact you within 2 business days after a Verify the Proposed Business on a Property form has been submitted and again within 2 business days after a completed application has been applied for on PermitSLO.

Start by reading the allowable, permitted, conditional, and disallowed uses that are identified for each land use category in the County's Land Use Ordinance. For the inland area of the County, start with the Title 22 Inland Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements, and the coastal zone of the County, start with the Title 23 Coastal Allowable Use Table. 

There may be specific community planning area standards that also apply to new land uses. Compliance with these planning area standards are required in addition to the standards of the allowable use.  Where the planning area standards conflict with the allowable use tables, the planning area standards will control.

If the proposed uses requires a Site Plan Review, Minor Use Permit, or Conditional Use Permit, that process must be completed before the business license may be approved.

Department of Planning & Building staff are available to assist with determining the level of review required for a proposed use at a given location.  Please complete the Verify the Proposed Business on a Property form above.