The San Luis Obispo Community Development Department is responsible for administering the City’s planning and construction regulation programs. People think that City planning and construction regulation have something to do with zoning, building permits, housing subdivisions, or maybe the General Plan. Actually, City planning includes all of these activities—and much more. The Community Development Department has several divisions under the direction of the Community Development Director, who is appointed by and is responsible to the City Administrative Officer. The divisions within the department include Long Range Planning, Development Review and Building and Safety.

Community planning involves the complex interaction of individuals, neighborhood groups, business organizations, environmental groups, other advocacy groups, land developers, and contractors with appointed and elected City officials and the staff. The five City Council members are elected officials. The City Council appoints people to serve on the Planning Commission, Architectural Review Commission, Cultural Heritage Committee, Handicapped Board of Appeals, and the Construction Board of Appeals. These groups help oversee various parts of the planning and construction regulation program and provide an important means for citizen participation in city government. The Community Development Department staff are employees that work with the City Council and appointed citizen groups to administer the planning and building programs.

Mission Statement
Our mission is to serve all persons in a positive and courteous manner and help ensure that San Luis Obispo continues to be a healthy, safe, attractive, and enjoyable place to live, work, or visit. We help plan the City’s form and character, support community values, preserve the environment, promote the wise use of resources, and protect public health and safety.

Service Philosophy
The City of San Luis Obispo Community Development Department staff provides high quality service when you need it. We will:

• Listen to understand your needs
• Give clear, accurate and prompt answers to your questions
• Explain how you can achieve your goals under the City’s rules
• Help resolve problems in an open, objective manner
• Maintain high ethical standards
• Work to improve our service

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