17.10.020 Use regulations by zone | San Luis Obispo Municipal Code

17.10.020 Use regulations by zone.

A. Allowed Uses. Uses within zones shall be regulated as set forth in Table 2-1: Uses Allowed by Zone, subject to subsections B through F of this section and additional regulations specified in the Specific Use Regulations column of Table 2-1. Land uses are defined in Chapter 17.156 (Land Use Definitions). In Table 2-1, symbols shall have these meanings:

A	The use is allowed as a matter of right.
MUP	The use requires a minor use permit approved by the director, as provided in Section 17.110.030 (Procedure—Minor Use Permit).
CUP	The use requires a conditional use permit approved by the planning commission, as provided in Section 17.110.030 (Procedure—Minor Use Permit).
M/A	The use is allowed above the ground floor only. Subject to minor use permit review, the use may be established on the ground floor.

Variations to allowed uses in Table 2-1: Uses Allowed by Zone may be permitted or required by Chapter 17.50: Specific Plan (SP) Overlay Zone, Chapter 17.52: Special Focus Area (S-F) Overlay Zone, and Chapter 17.60: Special Considerations (S) Overlay Zone.

1. Director’s Determination. In cases where a specific land use or activity is not defined, the director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is substantially similar in character per Section 17.04.030(B) (Director’s Determination). This interpretation procedure shall not be used as a substitute for the amendment procedure as a means of adding new types of uses to a zone.

2. Uses Not Listed and Not Substantially Similar. Any use not expressly allowed by these zoning regulations is prohibited.

C. Primary and Accessory Uses. Listed uses are primary uses. Accessory uses are allowed only where a primary use is established, as defined in Section 17.158.046 (U Definitions). An accessory use may be allowed if it is listed as an allowed or conditionally allowed use in Table 2-1 for the applicable zone. Bars and taverns, live entertainment, or other uses or activities as identified in Article 4 of this title (Regulations for Specific Land Uses and Activities), are not considered accessory uses, unless specifically defined as accessory in Article 4 of this title (Regulations for Specific Land Uses and Activities) or Article 9 of this title (Definitions).

D. Airport Land Use Plan. Land uses within the Airport Land Use Plan (ALUP) boundaries shall be consistent with ALUP Table 4-5 (Airport Land Use Compatibility Table) as identified in the Amended and Restated San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP) Airport Land Use Plan. Properties within specific plan areas that are also within the boundaries of the ALUP Airport Influence Area (AIA), shall be reviewed for conformance with the standards of their respective specific plans, which have received a determination of consistency with the ALUP from the Airport Land Use Commission.

E. Specific Plan Consistency. See Section 17.02.080 (Relationship to Specific Plans).

F. Prohibited Uses. The following uses are prohibited in all zones:

1. RESERVED;

2. Drive-through facilities;

3. Large-scale retail with over 140,000 square feet of gross floor area;

4. Livestock feed lots;

5. Mineral extraction and commercial mining;

6. Onshore support facilities for offshore oil or gas development;

7. Vacation rentals. See also Section 17.86.160 (Homestay Rentals).

Table 2-1: Uses Allowed by Zone
Key:	A = Allowed; MUP = Minor Use Permit approval required; CUP = Conditional Use Permit approval required
Key:	M/A = Minor Use Permit approval required on ground floor along street frontage, allowed on second floor or above
Land Use		Permit Requirement by Zoning District																Specific Use Regulations
Land Use		AG	C/OS	R-1	R-2	R-3	R-4	PF	O	C-N	C-C	C-R	C-D	C-T	C-S	M	BP	Specific Use Regulations
AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Accessory Structure		A	A
Animal Husbandry and Grazing		A	A
Community Garden		A	MUP	A	A	A	A	A
Crop Production		A	A					A							MUP	MUP
Greenhouse/Plant Nursery, Commercial		CUP	CUP
INDUSTRY, MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING, WHOLESALING
Fuel Dealer (propane, etc.)															MUP	A		See also Sec. 17.74.060
Laboratory—Medical, Analytical, Research, Testing									CUP			A			A	A	A	See also Sec. 17.74.060
Manufacturing—Heavy																CUP	CUP	See also Sec. 17.74.060
Manufacturing—Light															A	A	A	See also Sec. 17.74.060
Recycling
Recycling—Collection Facility											MUP	MUP			MUP	A
Recycling—Processing Facility																MUP
Research and Development															A	MUP	A	See also Sec. 17.74.060
Salvage and Wrecking																MUP
Warehousing, Storage, and Distribution
Outdoor Storage															MUP	MUP
Personal Storage															A	A
Warehousing and Indoor Storage															A	A	MUP
Wholesaling and Distribution															A	A	MUP
LODGING
Bed and Breakfast Establishment		MUP				CUP	CUP					A	A	A				See Sec. 17.86.070
Homeless Shelter					A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A		See Sec. 17.86.150 and GC Sec. 65583(a)(4)
Hostel						CUP	CUP					A	A	A
Hotels and Motels												A	A	A	CUP		CUP
RV Parks														CUP
PUBLIC AND QUASI-PUBLIC USES
Cultural Institutions								CUP			A	A	A	CUP
Hospitals and Clinics
Clinic									MUP		MUP	A	MUP		MUP		MUP	See Sec. 17.36.030(C) and Sec. 17.42.030(A)
Hospital								CUP	CUP
Park and Recreation Facilities				A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	Parks and Recreation Commission review required
Public Assembly Facilities								CUP	A		MUP	MUP	M/A	MUP	CUP
Religious Assembly Facilities				CUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	A	MUP	MUP	A	M/A	MUP	MUP	MUP		See 42 USC § 2000cc et seq.
Schools—Colleges								CUP
Schools—Primary and Secondary				CUP	CUP	MUP	MUP	CUP	CUP		CUP	MUP			CUP			See Sec. 17.86.240
Schools—Trade Schools								CUP	MUP				CUP		MUP		MUP	In the C-D zone, Trade Schools are not allowed on the ground floor
Sports and Entertainment Assembly Facility								CUP								CUP
RESIDENTIAL USES
General Residential Housing Types
Single-Unit Dwellings, Detached		A	CUP	A	A	A	A		A
Multi-Unit Residential					A	A	A		A
Boarding House						CUP	CUP					MUP	MUP
Caretaker Quarters		A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	MUP
Continuing Care Community				MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP		MUP			MUP	MUP
Elderly and Long-Term Care						MUP	MUP		MUP			M/A	M/A	MUP
Family Day Care (Small and Large)		A		A	A	A	A		A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A		See Sec. 17.86.100 and H&SC Sec. 1597.40
Fraternities and Sororities						CUP	CUP											Section 17.86.130
Hospice In-Patient Facility					CUP	CUP	MUP	CUP	CUP			MUP
Mobile Home Park				A	A	A	A											See GC Sec. 65852.7, 65863.7, 65863.8
Residential Care Facilities—6 or Fewer Residents		A		A	A	A	A		A	M/A		M/A	M/A	MUP				Multiple state statutes
Residential Care Facilities—7 or More Residents				MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP		MUP			MUP	MUP					Multiple state statutes
Supportive and/or Transitional Housing, with On- or Off-Site Services				A	A	A	A	MUP	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A		See GC Sec. 65583(a)(5)
Farmworker Housing		A	A
MIXED USES
Mixed-Use Development									A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A		See Sec. 17.70.130
COMMERCIAL USES
Adult Entertainment Businesses												A		A				See Sec. 17.86.030 and GC Section 65850.4
Animal Care, Sales and Services
Animal Boarding/Kennels		CUP													MUP	MUP		Outdoor runs and kennel areas shall be allowed only in the C-S zone. See also Sec. 17.86.170
Animal Grooming										A	A	A	A		A	MUP
Animal Retail Sales										MUP	A	A	A		A
Veterinary Services, Large Animal		CUP													MUP	MUP
Veterinary Services, Small Animal									A	A	A	A	M/A		A
Banks and Financial Institutions
ATMs									A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A
Banks and Credit Unions									A		A	A	A		MUP	MUP	MUP	See Sec. 17.36.030(B) and Sec. 17.40.030(A)
Check Cashing Shops/Payday Loans											MUP	MUP
Business Services									A		A	A	M/A		A	A	A
Cemetery			CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP				CUP		CUP	CUP	CUP
Commercial Recreation—Large Scale								CUP			CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	MUP	See Sec. 17.36.030(D)
Commercial Recreation—Small Scale									MUP	MUP	A	A	A	A	A	A	MUP
Day Care Center				MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	A	A	A	A	M/A	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	See Sec. 17.86.100
Eating and Drinking Establishments
Bars and Taverns											MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP		See also Sec. 17.86.040 and Sec. 17.86.050
Restaurant										A	A	A	A	A	A	MUP	MUP
Restaurant with Late Hour Alcohol Service										MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	See Sec. 17.86.040 and Sec. 17.86.050
Food and Beverage Sales
General Market										A	A	A	A	CUP				See Sec. 17.26.030(B)(1)
Convenience Store					MUP	MUP	MUP			A	A	A	A	A	MUP	MUP	MUP	See Sec. 17.26.030(B)(1) and Sec. 17.86.090
Produce Stand		MUP	MUP							A		A	A		A
Liquor Store										MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	CUP				See Sec. 17.26.030(B)(2) and Sec. 17.86.040
Food Preparation												A			A	A
Funeral Parlors and Interment Services								MUP	MUP			A			MUP
Instructional Services								MUP	CUP	MUP	M/A	A	M/A	CUP	A	MUP
Maintenance and Repair Services															A	A	CUP
Offices
Business and Professional Offices								MUP	A		A	A	M/A		M/A	MUP	MUP	In the C-S zone, a Minor Use Permit is required for office uses on the ground floor. See also Sec. 17.36.030(B) and Sec. 17.40.030(A)
Medical and Dental Offices									A		A	A	M/A		MUP		MUP	See Sec. 17.36.030(C)
Personal Services										A	A	A	A	MUP	A		MUP
Retail Sales																		See Secs. 17.26.030(A), 17.30.030(A), 17.32.030, 17.34.030(A) and 17.36.030(A)
Building Materials and Services—Indoor											A	A	A		A	A
Building Materials and Services—Outdoor											MUP	A	MUP		A	A
Extended Hour Retail									MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP
General Retail										MUP	A	A	A	MUP	MUP
Large-Scale Retail											CUP	CUP	CUP
Nurseries and Garden Centers												CUP			A	A
Theaters								CUP			MUP	MUP	MUP				MUP	Only nonprofit theaters are allowed in the PF zone. See also Sec. 17.86.030
Vehicle Sales and Services
Auto and Vehicle Sales and Rental												MUP		CUP	A	MUP
Large Vehicle, Construction and Heavy Equipment Sales, Service, and Rental															MUP	A
Service Stations										MUP	MUP	MUP		MUP	A			See Secs. 17.86.060 and 17.86.250
Vehicle Services—Major Repair/Body Work															A	A	MUP
Vehicle Services—Minor Repair/Maintenance											CUP	MUP			A	A	MUP
Vehicle Services—Washing											MUP	MUP		CUP	MUP	MUP
TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS, AND UTILITIES
Airport								CUP							CUP	CUP	MUP
Wireless Telecommunications Facilities		MUP	MUP					MUP	MUP		MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	See Sec. 17.86.290, 47 USC Sec. 332(c)(7) of the Telecommunications Act, Pub. Util. Code Sec. 7901 et seq., GC Sec. 65850.6
Freight/Truck Terminals															A	A	MUP
Light Fleet-Based Services															A	MUP	MUP
Media Production
Backlots and Soundstages															MUP	MUP	MUP
Broadcast Studios									A			A	M/A		A	A	A
Heliport								CUP	CUP						CUP	CUP
Parking Facilities								CUP	CUP			CUP	CUP		CUP	CUP		See Sec. 17.86.200
Public Safety Facilities								CUP									CUP
Transit Station or Terminal								CUP				CUP	CUP		MUP	A
Utilities Facilities																		Ground-mounted equipment in residential zones shall be screened by landscaping to the satisfaction of the director
Facilities with On-Site Staff		CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP
Facilities with No On-Site Staff (unmanned)		MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP
Transmission Lines		CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP
CANNABIS ACTIVITY
Cannabis																		See Section 17.86.080
Specialty Cultivator															MUP	MUP	MUP
Small Cultivator															MUP	MUP	MUP
Nursery															MUP	MUP	MUP
Manufacturing															MUP	MUP	MUP
Distributor															MUP	MUP	MUP
Microbusiness												CUP			MUP/ CUP	MUP/ CUP	MUP/ CUP	See Sec. 17.86.080(E)(12) for specific requirements per zone
Testing									CUP						A	A	A	Director’s action required. See also Sec. 17.86.080(E)(9)
Retailer (Delivery)															MUP	MUP	MUP
Retailer (Storefront)												CUP			CUP
SPECIFIC AND TEMPORARY LAND USES
Educational Conferences Housing						MUP	MUP					MUP	MUP
Homestay Rentals		See Sec. 17.86.160
Home Occupation		See Sec. 17.86.140
Food Trucks		See Sec. 17.86.120
Nightclubs and Live Entertainment											MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP
Office—Temporary		See Chapter 17.113
Outdoor Temporary and/or Seasonal Sales		See Sec. 17.86.190 and Chapter 17.113
Parking Facility—Temporary								CUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	See Chapter 17.113
Safe Parking				CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP	CUP		See Sec. 17.86.230
Special Event								MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP		See Chapter 17.113
Vending Machine									See Section 17.86.280

(Ord. 1705 §§ 6—8, 2021; Ord. 1657 §§ 3, 4, 2019; Ord. 1650 § 3 (Exh. B), 2018: Ord. 1647 § 6 (Exh. C), 2018)