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  1. Home
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  5. California
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  7. Cambria

Cambria

Strict
California · San Luis Obispo CountyUpdated Mar 30, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 4, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Cambria is an unincorporated community governed by the San Luis Obispo County Coastal Residential Vacation Rental Ordinance, which strictly limits density and ownership.

Restriction level

Severity 48
Classification
Strict
48
Severity

Why this classification

  • High permit fee: $670
  • Limited to 1 property per owner
  • Tenants cannot host
  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To operate a short-term rental in Cambria, you must obtain a Zoning Clearance and a County Business License. Requirements include a 200-foot buffer between rental properties, a limit of one rental per owner (no corporations allowed), and a strict prohibition on guest street parking.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredNo
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$670

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1200-foot distance rule: You cannot open an STR if another is within 200 feet on the same street.
  2. 2No Corporations: The owner must be a natural person, not a corporation or partnership.
  3. 3Zero Street Parking: All guest vehicles must be parked on-site (garage or driveway) at all times.
  4. 4Frequency Limit: Rental is limited to no more than 4 individual tenancies per calendar month.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility6 rules
  • San Luis Obispo County does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
  • San Luis Obispo County prohibits STRs in the following property types: ADU, Recreational Vehicles, Unpermitted structures.
  • San Luis Obispo County: 200-foot distance rule: You cannot open an STR if another is within 200 feet on the same street.
Requirements9 rules
  • San Luis Obispo County STR warning: 200-foot distance rule: You cannot open an STR if another is within 200 feet on the same street.
  • San Luis Obispo County STR warning: Frequency Limit: Rental is limited to no more than 4 individual tenancies per calendar month.
  • San Luis Obispo County STR warning: No Corporations: The owner must be a natural person, not a corporation or partnership.
Application process6 rules
  • Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in San Luis Obispo County: Step 1: Verify Distance and Zoning Eligibility - Ensure the property is a single-family home and not within 200 linear feet of another permitted vacation rental on the same side of the street. Documents needed: Assessor Parcel Map, List of neighbors within 200 feet. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/departments/planning-building/vacation-rentals Step 2: Apply for Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance - Submit a land use authorization request via the PermitSLO online portal. This includes a site plan and a 'will serve' letter from local utility providers. Documents needed: Site Plan, Floor Plan, Will Serve Letter (water/sewer), Local Management Contract. Estimated time: 3-6 months. Cost: 670. More info: https://permitslo.slocounty.ca.gov/ Step 3: Obtain County Business License - Once zoning is approved, apply for a Business License and TOT Certificate with the County Tax Collector. Documents needed: Approved Zoning Clearance, Business License Application. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 49. More info: https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/departments/tax-collector/business-licenses Step 4: Notify Neighbors - Provide written notice of the rental operation to all property owners within 200 feet, including a 24/7 local contact phone number. Documents needed: Proof of Notification. Estimated time: 1 week.
Fees & costs2 rules
  • San Luis Obispo County charges a registration fee of $670.
  • San Luis Obispo County charges a registration fee of $49.
Taxes1 rule
  • San Luis Obispo County charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.09%.
Limits & restrictions3 rules
  • San Luis Obispo County limits STRs to a maximum of 8 guests.
  • San Luis Obispo County: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
  • San Luis Obispo County: Frequency Limit: Rental is limited to no more than 4 individual tenancies per calendar month.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • San Luis Obispo County requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Cambria

0/4
steps completed
Step 1

Verify Distance and Zoning Eligibility

Ensure the property is a single-family home and not within 200 linear feet of another permitted vacation rental on the same side of the street.

1 weekFree
Documents needed
  • Assessor Parcel Map
  • List of neighbors within 200 feet
Official resource
Step 2

Apply for Vacation Rental Zoning Clearance

Submit a land use authorization request via the PermitSLO online portal. This includes a site plan and a 'will serve' letter from local utility providers.

3-6 months$670
Documents needed
  • Site Plan
  • Floor Plan
  • Will Serve Letter (water/sewer)
  • Local Management Contract
Official resource
Step 3

Obtain County Business License

Once zoning is approved, apply for a Business License and TOT Certificate with the County Tax Collector.

1-2 weeks$49
Documents needed
  • Approved Zoning Clearance
  • Business License Application
Official resource
Step 4

Notify Neighbors

Provide written notice of the rental operation to all property owners within 200 feet, including a 24/7 local contact phone number.

1 weekFree
Documents needed
  • Proof of Notification

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

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