Business Support

Starting a Business in SLO

San Luis Obispo is one of the most welcoming cities in California for entrepreneurs. Whether you’re opening your first storefront, launching a service-based business from home, or building the next Central Coast tech company, the City has a dedicated Business Navigator ready to walk you through every step.

Growing Your Business in SLO

SLO’s Economic Development team is built for growth. When you’re ready to scale, we bring the site selection expertise, permit navigation, workforce connections, and a network of local partners to help you move quickly and confidently.

Relocating Your Business to San Luis Obispo

Companies that relocate to SLO don’t just change their address, they adopt the SLO Life. Surrounded by a vibrant college town, charming downtown, and incredible scenery, a healthy work-life balance is easy to adopt here.

Your Business Navigator

SLO’s Business Navigator is a free, dedicated city resource for every business in the City of San Luis Obispo- new, growing, or established. Think of it as having a City insider in your corner: someone who knows the processes, knows the people, and knows how to cut through the complexity so you can focus on your business.

What Your Navigator Can Do for You

Map out the permits and licenses you need before you start
Connect you directly with the right city department, partner organization, or service provider
Assist with site selection, zoning research, and available property searches
Surface grants, incentives, and sustainability rebates you may qualify for
Serve as your ongoing point of contact for any business challenges involving the City

McKenzie Taffe • mctaffe@slocity.org • 805-781-7155

Find Your Starting Point

What kind of business are you interested in starting? Click the industry icon below for specific next steps on starting your business in San Luis Obispo.

Discover Resources for Businesses

There are several no-cost business support organizations available in our community:

Cal Poly SBDC (Small Business Development Center)

Anyone in San Luis Obispo County can sign up, whether you're just getting started or already running a business. You'll get matched with a free expert advisor who can help with things like writing a business plan, finding funding, marketing, and more.

MCSC Women's Business Center

Open to everyone, with extra support for women and people with lower incomes. They offer free one-on-one coaching, classes, and workshops in English and Spanish to help you start or grow your business.

SCORE San Luis Obispo

Any current or aspiring business owner in SLO County or the Santa Maria Valley can get free help at SCORE. Experienced business professionals volunteer their time to meet with you one-on-one by phone, email, or in person.

GET SUPPORT FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Request Business Support

MEET YOUR BUSINESS NAVIGATOR

Request a Meeting

FAQ Box

What type of approval will I need for my business?

The first step would be to identify the zoning for the location of your project. With this information you can reference Table 9 of the Zoning Regulations which indicates the land uses allowed by zone. This denotes what type of permit will be required to allow that use in each zoning district if allowed at all.
How can I find out what zone my property is in?

Use the GIS Parcel Map to find your zoning.
What is a Use Permit?

Use permits allow flexibility in providing for, regulating, or preventing various uses, so they will be compatible with existing or desired conditions in their neighborhoods. Conditions of approval can be applied to projects to help reduce or avoid their negative impacts.
My property is on the Master or Contributing list of historic resources, what does this mean?

This means your property has been determined to be a locally significant historic resource because of significant architecture or historical themes. Properties determined to be a historic resource may be eligible for benefits such as the Mills Act. Likewise, building owners of qualified historic properties can follow the more flexible California State Historical Building Code (CHBC). The CHBC’s standards and regulations are intended to facilitate the rehabilitation or change of occupancy so as to preserve their original or restored elements and features, to encourage energy conservation and a cost effective approach to preservation, and to provide for reasonable safety from fire, seismic forces or other hazards for occupants and users of such buildings, structures and properties and to provide reasonable availability and usability by the physically disabled.

Additionally, historic properties are eligible to receive a decorative plaque that can be displayed on their property. More importantly changes to historic properties are guided by the City’s Historic Preservation Guidelines and Historic Preservation Ordinance.
Does the City provide childcare and are au pairs offered as an option?

The City provides before and after childcare services to the community whether children attend on a regular basis or just drop in on an as needed basis, they will be welcomed into the program. Many other providers such as the YMCA and private providers also provide childcare. Meghan Burger at the City can provide more details about City programs, and she can be reached at Burger, Meghan mburger@slocity.org or at 805-781- 7070. An overview of programs can be found here. Au pars are a service that are provided by the private sector and there are commercially available websites that can provide references and links for those services. Referral services and other business referrals can be sought at the Chamber of Commerce. CAPSLO can aid those seeking general childcare here.
How is the City protecting downtown SLO - the police presence, safety, homelessness, cleanliness, vacancies.

Four sworn officers are dedicated to the downtown. Bike patrols are provided during some evenings and days. Bike patrol staffing has been impacted by a general shortage of officers that is being experienced nationally. Four Community Service Officers were added to patrol the downtown area of the City on foot in May 2023. Between the four Community Service Officers there is coverage 7 days a week from 7 am to 5 pm. 2. The four Community Service Officers overlap on Thursdays where one team works 7 am – 5 pm while the other 12 pm – 10 pm so that they can provide extra services downtown during Farmers Market. Vacancy rates are less than 8%. The average in California is above 10%. The current vacancy rate is below the average and the vacant large spaces such as Charles Shoes, Beverly’s and Ross are due to property owner interests and not a general lack of market interest. Multiple above-market offers have been made on both properties.

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