The San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury published a report on June 23, 2025, after an investigation that was initiated in response to complaints filed by residents.

According to the report, resident complaints alleged that the City of San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly officials were failing to enforce existing rules and municipal ordinances related to fraternities in San Luis Obispo neighborhoods near Cal Poly, that citizen complaints were ignored, and that neither took sufficient action to restore order. The asserted purpose of the Grand Jury’s investigation was to “assess the extent of these issues and determine whether city officials were implementing timely and sufficient countermeasures to address them effectively.”

Several City of San Luis Obispo staff members and officials and a City Council Member cooperated with the investigation, testifying before the Grand Jury and providing significant amounts of documents and information in response to the Grand Jury’s requests.

Prior to the report’s publication, the Grand Jury provided the City with a draft of the report. The City attempted to correct several factual errors in the report via a memo that was sent to the Grand Jury on June 20, 2025. However, the Grand Jury published the report without those corrections, which triggered a 90-day period in which the City is required to respond.

On September 16, 2025, the City Council reviewed and approved the City's formal response to the report and its recommendations.

For over a decade, the City of San Luis Obispo has made many significant efforts to address neighborhood concerns related to student behavior, noise, and fraternity activity.

Below is a brief timeline of these efforts:  

2009: Social Host Ordinance Adopted. Made party hosts responsible for underage drinking at their events.

2010: Noise Ordinance Strengthened. Introduced a system with escalating penalties: one warning places the address on a “premise list” for nine months, followed by citations if violations continue. Fines increased to $350–$1,000. Landlord citations added for repeat violations.

2011: Neighborhood Wellness Designated as a Major City Goal. This remained a Major City Goal through 2017 and then an other important objective through 2019. A Neighborhood Wellness Community Civility Working Group was formed in 2011 and issued a 90-page report with recommendations, many of which were adopted.

2013: Start of School Safety Enhancement Zone Created. Provided enhanced enforcement during key weekends in fall.

2015: MOU with Cal Poly Adopted. Authorized Cal Poly Police to issue administrative citations within one mile off-campus.

2017: Party Registration Program Piloted and Made Permanent. Allowed anyone in SLO to register parties in advance to avoid citations—shown to reduce noisy parties and improve behavior.

2018-2023: The City focused on ongoing collaboration, enforcement and outreach, including additional investments Code Enforcement, Respect SLO outreach efforts and more. 

2024: Safety Zone Expanded. Safety Enhancement Zone dates extended to reduce attempts to avoid enforcement in response to growing “St. Fratty’s Day” and Halloween activities. The City and Cal Poly begin joint planning task force.

2025:  

• Major Operational Response to “St. Fratty’s Day”. Over 300 law enforcement officers from across the state deployed; Cal Poly hosted a successful on-campus alternative event. Extensive outreach included mailers, social media, student presentations, and campus talks. This resulted in no significant property damage or injuries reported.
• Fraternity Oversight Expanded. Between May and July 2025, the Planning Commission revoked or modified four Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) for fraternities due to repeated violations.
• Neighborhood Wellness Reaffirmed as a Major City Goal. For the 2025–27 Financial Plan, the City Council adopted “Housing and Neighborhood Livability – Healthy, Safe, and Affordable” as a Major City Goal, with a focus on evaluating code enforcement priorities and zoning regulations for Greek housing.

The public had the opportunity to comment draft responses for the City Council and the Planning Commission when those responses are presented at public meetings prior to the September 19th response deadline.

July 15, 2025: City Council Meeting

August 2025: Student Community Liaison Committee (SCLC) Meeting

August 2025: Planning Commission Meeting

September 16, 2025: City Council Meeting

1. What is "Town and Gown"?
   This term is commonly used to describe the relationship between a town and a nearby university, including both the collaboration and tension that can arise between the two. In this case, it refers to the relationship between the City of San Luis Obispo (including its residents, neighborhoods and local government) and California Polytechnic State University (including its students, administration, and on-campus and off-campus community).
   
   
2. What is the Grand Jury report about? 
   The San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury published a report titled “Round & Round with Town & Gown” on June 23, 2025, focusing on concerns related to student behavior, noise, and fraternity activities in residential neighborhoods near Cal Poly. Unfortunately, the report was published with several inaccuracies.
   
   
3. Why is the City required to respond to the report?
   Under California Penal Code section 933, the City Council, Planning Commission, and City Manager must respond to the Grand Jury’s findings and recommendations within 90 days (by September 19, 2025). 
   
   
4. What actions is the City Council taking to prepare its response?
   On July 15, 2025, the City Council appointed an ad hoc committee of two Council Members – Jan Marx and Mayor Erica A. Stewart – to work with City staff on drafting responses to the Grand Jury’s findings and recommendations.
   
   
5. Did the City cooperate with the Grand Jury’s investigation?
   Yes. The City cooperated with the Grand Jury's investigation by providing extensive documentation and testimony from City staff, including the Police Chief, City Manager, Community Development staff, and a City Council Member.
   
   
6. What steps has the City taken to address neighborhood concerns?
   Over the past decade, the City has implemented a range of measures including a noise ordinance with escalating fines, a party registration program, unruly gathering enforcement, landlord citations, and regular engagement with Cal Poly and neighborhood stakeholders.
   
   
7. Has the City made progress in reducing neighborhood noise and disturbances?
   Yes. Since 2010, noise-related calls for service have decreased by approximately 45% citywide, including in neighborhoods adjacent to Cal Poly.
   
   
8. What has the City done about “St. Fratty’s Day”?
   In 2025, the City and Cal Poly collaborated on a year-long planning effort that resulted in a highly successful and peaceful St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Over 300 law enforcement personnel were deployed, and Cal Poly hosted a large-scale alternative event to keep students off the streets.
   
   
9. Will residents have a chance to weigh in on the City’s response?
   Yes. The public had an opportunity to provide input at the July 15 Council meeting, and will also have opportunities to provide input at an upcoming Planning Commission meeting, and again when the Council considers the final response in September 2025.