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A VIBRANT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS

Discover what so many businesses already know — a location in San Luis Obispo offers businesses a considerable advantage.

Whether it’s an exceptional pool of local talent, international reach, strong and diverse base of existing companies, or entrepreneurial spirit that you’re looking for, we’re so glad to welcome you to San Luis Obispo.

A program of the City's Administration Department, the Economic Development and Tourism Program is responsible for implementing the economic development policies of the City Council as laid out in the City's Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP). Overseen by the Economic Development and Tourism Manager, this program works to make the City of San Luis Obispo a thriving place to work, visit, and do business. 

Economic Strategic Plan

The Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP) was adopted on July 18, 2023. The plan aims to ensure the City's competitiveness and relevance in a rapidly changing environment. It aligns with other major city goals and plans, including the 2023-25 Major City Goals, the Climate Action Plan, the Downtown Concept Plan, and the DEI Strategic Plan framework.  

Follow this link for more information on the EDSP status, data and background.

Traditional Economic Development Activities

In addition to the specific actions laid out in the EDSP, the Economic Development program also focuses on more traditional economic development activities, including:

  • Business retention and expansion assistance
  • Business recruitment
  • Site selection assistance for new and existing businesses
  • Quick Response Team for timely processing of permits, providing development review strategies and identifying potential issues and solutions
  • County, Regional, and State programs through REACH Central Coast

Business Retention and Expansion

Nurturing local businesses is one of the program's most important goals. We can help identify resources for your growing business needs and connect you with local service providers. We also offer site selection and site expansion assistance.

Site Selection

We assist new and existing businesses in finding sites for their business. We work closely with the local real estate brokerage community, property owners and developers to help you find existing buildings or properties that could be developed.

Development Review

The City of San Luis Obispo provides excellent customer service throughout the development process, and works closely with companies to ensure that project reviews are done in a timely manner. We are committed to working with businesses in an expeditious manner on planning, zoning, and permitting issues. More information on planning, building and permitting is available from the Community Development Department.

City Utilities

The City’s Utilities Department has detailed information regarding water supply, conservation, recycling, and sewer information. Interestingly, in addition to City provided utilities, several transcontinental fiber optic line landing points are located close to the city limits.  Telecommunications companies operate critical facilities in San Luis Obispo and connectivity is high-speed.

News and Announcements

Find the latest news about economic resiliency and economic development below. For more information or announcements, visit www.slocity.org/news

May 19 Council Meeting Recap

Post Date:05/21/2026 2:47 PM

 A road with bike lanes, text: cITY cOUNCIL mEETING rECAP, RESUMEN DE LA REUNIÓN DEL CONSEJO


 


The San Luis Obispo City Council held a public meeting on Tuesday May 19, 2026. Below is a recap of the meeting. Review the full recorded video and agenda packet.


Presentations and Consent Agenda

The meeting began with a presentation from the City Manager with recent updates about City programs, services, and events.

There were also several routine matters on the Consent Agenda, which the City Council approved with one vote. These include:

Public Hearings and Business Items

Council Upheld Planning Commission Decision to Revoke Fraternity’s Use Permit 
The City Council upheld a recent Planning Commission decision to revoke a fraternity’s permit to operate at a house on California Boulevard. The City’s Planning Commission decided in March 2026 to revoke Alpha Epsilon Pi’s permit that allows them to operate their fraternity at 280 California Boulevard after the fraternity violated some of the permit’s conditions and the City’s municipal code. Alpha Epsilon Pi appealed to the City Council, requesting that the decision be overturned and that the fraternity be allowed to continue to operate at that location. One of the City’s goals is to ensure that neighborhoods are livable for all. While the fraternity had decreased the number of violations compared to previous years, recent violations continued to result in noise violations and disturbances to the neighborhood, which violated the conditions of their Conditional Use Permit. The City Council will hold a study session next week to discuss the City’s priorities for Code Enforcement, including a conversation around whether the City should analyze alternative ways to regulate fraternity and sorority houses in San Luis Obispo.

Council Approves Vision Zero Action Plan 
The City Council adopted the 2026 Vision Zero Action Plan, establishing a roadmap to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on San Luis Obispo streets. The plan follows years of community engagement and responds to an increase in fatal crashes in recent years, including 19 people killed on City streets between 2020 and 2024. The plan identifies speeding, impaired driving, and safety challenges on a small number of major corridors as key contributors to severe crashes, with nearly 70% of fatal crashes involving people walking or biking. Using a “Safe Systems” approach, the plan focuses on designing streets to reduce the likelihood that everyday mistakes result in serious or fatal crashes. Strategies include prioritizing improvements at locations with the most severe crashes, installing safer crosswalks and protected bike lanes, improving lighting and traffic signals, and evaluating speed reductions in some areas. The plan also includes strategies related to education, enforcement, emergency response, and broader transportation safety improvements citywide.

Looking Ahead

The next City Council meeting will be a special meeting that takes place on Tuesday May 26, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers office at City Hall.

Attendees of the City Council Advisory Body meetings are eligible for one hour of complimentary parking in designated City garages. Learn more at Parking for Public Meetings.

To provide input or view upcoming agendas visit www.slocity.org/agendas. To receive updates from the City, sign up at www.slocity.org/subscribe or follow us on social media.

Media Contact: Whitney Szentesi, Public Communications manager, 805-783-7716, wszentes@slocity.org

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