The County Department of Planning and Building oversees the unincorporated areas of San Luis Obispo County, covering land use planning, permitting, environmental review and zoning enforcement. It is at 976 Osos Street, Room 200, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408, (805) 781-5600; the Permit Center operates Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., and Friday 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
This guide covers unincorporated San Luis Obispo County. The seven incorporated cities (San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Morro Bay and Pismo Beach) handle their own building permits. The City of San Luis Obispo’s website could not be checked, so contact the city directly for work there.
Express permits and grading in San Luis Obispo County
Express Permits cover quick repairs or installs, such as a water heater, HVAC unit or electrical panel replacement, a drain repair or lighting, and can be submitted online by a California licensed contractor.
Grading: Planning and Building also issues grading permits. One is typically needed when more than 50 cubic yards of soil are removed or deposited; major grading typically involves 5,000 cubic yards or more, or work on slopes of 10 percent or greater.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Public Works review: County Public Works reviews building permits for drainage, stormwater, erosion control, flood hazard and driveway encroachments ((805) 781-5252). Within an urban reserve boundary, curb, gutter and sidewalk are generally required for new construction or improvements valued at more than 25% of the existing improved valuation.
Contractors are licensed statewide by the Contractors State License Board (Classes A, B, B-2 and C) for work of $1,000 or more or any permitted work; a city may also require a business licence or tax registration. Contractor licensing in California
Who handles permitting in San Luis Obispo County?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Planning and Building Permit Center | Building, grading and septic permits; 976 Osos Street, Room 200, San Luis Obispo | (805) 781-5600 |
| Public Works | Encroachment permits; drainage, stormwater and flood review of building permits | (805) 781-5252 |
| Environmental Health Division | Water well construction and destruction permits; 2156 Sierra Way, Suite B, San Luis Obispo; Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm | (805) 781-5544 |
Walk-in service at the Permit Center is Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., limited to 30 minutes per customer; one-hour appointments can be booked through No Wait Inside.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →San Luis Obispo County permit costs and fees
The Comprehensive Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (effective July 1st, 2026) charges a new single-family dwelling (R3) $1.08 per square foot for plan check and $1.45 per square foot for inspection, plus a 9.74% Technology Surcharge Fee. A new conventional residential septic system is $1,230.00 and a major septic repair $700.00, before the technology surcharge.
Septic systems and wells in San Luis Obispo County
Septic (onsite wastewater) permits here are issued by Planning and Building, not Environmental Health. Installations must follow the County’s Local Agency Management Program (LAMP), California Plumbing Code Appendix H and the RWQCB OWTS Policy, and new and replacement systems must be installed by a Class A, Class B, C-42 or C-36 licensed contractor.
Water well construction and destruction permits come from the County Environmental Health Division.
How to get a building permit in San Luis Obispo County
Applications go through PermitSLO, and accounts need an authenticated email account (a process started in 2024).
A licensed contractor can file an Express Permit online for quick repairs and installs; other work is a full application.
On PermitSLO or in person at the front counter; the County never takes fees by wire transfer.
Apply online through Citizens Connect for a Public Works encroachment permit, typically issued within 5 to 7 business days once the fee and any damage deposit are paid and a preconstruction meeting with the Public Works inspector is scheduled.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →A building permit carries a validity period and can expire if work does not start or stalls between inspections; confirm the expiry with County Planning and Building on phased or delayed work. Permit validity in California
Inspections in San Luis Obispo County
Inspections are scheduled on the PermitSLO Portal, by phone at (805) 788-6602 or by email; every request must be in before midnight for an inspection the following business day. Where any special inspection is required on a project, use of the County’s Special Inspection Program is mandatory.
Appeals in San Luis Obispo County
Many actions by Planning and Building staff and the Building Official can be appealed; appeals are filed with the Department at 976 Osos Street, Room 200. In the Coastal Zone, many actions can also be appealed to the California Coastal Commission.
Rather not deal with the San Luis Obispo County building department?
Get a free quote →Official San Luis Obispo County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- County Planning and Building
- Planning and Building contacts and hours
- How to apply for a permit in unincorporated SLO County
- Fee schedule 2026-2027
- Building inspections
- Septic permits
- Grading permits
- Public Works encroachment permits
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
Who issues septic permits in San Luis Obispo County?
The Department of Planning and Building, not Environmental Health. Environmental Health issues water well permits.
When do I need a grading permit?
Typically when more than 50 cubic yards of soil are removed or deposited.
Can I walk in without an appointment?
Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., for up to 30 minutes; otherwise book a one-hour appointment through No Wait Inside.
Simplify San Luis Obispo County permitting with Alliance Permitting
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →- Check whether the parcel is in a city or on county land, and which county offices beyond Building must sign off
- Line up septic, well, encroachment and fire approvals so they do not hold up the building permit
- File in the county portal, track review rounds and book inspections against the county’s cut-off times
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in California. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
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More California permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about San Luis Obispo County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.