San Luis Obispo County · checked 2026-09-13
Can you BnB it in San Luis Obispo?
RestrictedThe city of San Luis Obispo prohibits whole-home vacation rentals in every zone. Only owner-occupied homestays are allowed, with a homestay permit, annual proof of primary residence, a four adult guest limit, and a new application required within sixty days if the home is sold.
The rules, with their sources
Permit or licenseA permit or license is required before operating.L117.86.160(B) · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Hosted onlyOnly hosted rentals are allowed; the host must be present.L1SLOMC 17.86.160 (homestay rentals), history: Ord. 1650 § 3 (2018); Ord. 1705 § 50 (2021); Ord. 1757 § 15 (2026). Prohibition of vacation rentals at 17.10.020; definitions at 17.156.018 and 17.156.044; TOT at 3.04.030 · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Primary residenceThe rental must be the operator's primary residence.L117.86.160(C)(3) · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Caps and limitsNo numeric cap. Homestays are limited to the primary dwelling unit only; accessory dwelling units and recreational vehicles are excluded (17.86.160 D).L1SLOMC 17.86.160 (homestay rentals), history: Ord. 1650 § 3 (2018); Ord. 1705 § 50 (2021); Ord. 1757 § 15 (2026). Prohibition of vacation rentals at 17.10.020; definitions at 17.156.018 and 17.156.044; TOT at 3.04.030 · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Transfer when the home sellsThe homestay permit does not continue with the property. Section 17.86.160 D.5: upon sale or transfer of the home, a new homestay application is required within sixty days of the transfer. Since the permit requires the operator to occupy the home as a primary residence with annual verification, a buyer who will not live in the home cannot get one. No family, trust, or entity exceptions are stated.L117.86.160(D)(5) · code text · checked 2026-09-13
Read the code text →
In the city's own words
17.86.160(B)“The conduct of a homestay rental requires the approval of a homestay permit by the director” source
17.10.020“Vacation rentals. See also Section 17.86.160” source
17.86.160(C)(3)“The operator of the homestay shall annually provide verification of primary residence through the homeowner's property tax exemption or other appropriate documentation.” source
17.86.160(D)(5)“Upon sale or transfer of the home for which a homestay permit has been granted, a new homestay application shall be required within sixty days of the transfer.” source
Citation: SLOMC 17.86.160 (homestay rentals), history: Ord. 1650 § 3 (2018); Ord. 1705 § 50 (2021); Ord. 1757 § 15 (2026). Prohibition of vacation rentals at 17.10.020; definitions at 17.156.018 and 17.156.044; TOT at 3.04.030
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How this page was verified
Verified from the municipal code (level 1), checked on 2026-09-13 by the CanIBnB research desk. Research is AI assisted and human reviewed; the method, the level system, and the re-check schedule are on the How we verify page. If anything here is wrong, report it and it goes in the public corrections log.