San Luis Obispo, California Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Derick Hargrave
Last updated August 23, 2023
San Luis Obispo Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
San Luis Obispo defines vacation rentals as the renting out of an existing home or a new residential building for transient use that has been built following all applicable residential development requirements. This definition does not include the single tenancy rental of the entire residence for thirty consecutive days or longer.Business License Requirements
Business License and Transient Occupancy Tax Registration are required for each residential vacation rental.Building and Housing Standards
San Luis Obispo has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Consult Buildings and Construction for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
The listing may be subject to the Transient Occupancy Taxes levied by the County of San Luis Obispo. Each transient is subject to and shall pay a tax of nine percent of the rent charged by the operator. Refer to Transient Occupancy Taxes for more information.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the City of San Luis Obispo for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating6.1
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Competition
6.5 -
Real Estate Cost
2.8 -
STR Regulations
8.0 -
Seasonality
4.4 -
Rental Rates
9.0
San Luis Obispo, California Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 47,063
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- San Luis Obispo
- Airports
- San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport (SBP)
- Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
Want to learn more about San Luis Obispo?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our San Luis Obispo rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the San Luis Obispo rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in San Luis Obispo.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits San Luis Obispo guests.
Interested in other California cities?
Check out the California short term rental regulations directory
What makes San Luis Obispo a great place to invest?
- San Luis Obispo, California is home to a diverse range of outdoor recreational opportunities, including the beautiful Pismo Beach, where visitors can surf, swim, hike, and relax on the stunning coastline.
- The city is also known for its vibrant food and drink scene, with a variety of local restaurants, cafes, and breweries that offer a taste of the region's rich culinary heritage. For example, the Farmers' Market in San Luis Obispo is a must-visit for foodies, offering fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and locally-made baked goods.
- San Luis Obispo is also a great place for history and culture, with a variety of museums and historic sites that offer a glimpse into the city's rich heritage. For example, the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum showcases the city's role in the development of the California railroads through exhibits and interactive displays.
- The city is also home to a number of fantastic parks and green spaces, including the beautiful Mission Plaza, where visitors can relax and enjoy the beauty of the city's historic downtown area.
- San Luis Obispo is also a great destination for families, with a variety of kid-friendly attractions and activities, including the San Luis Obispo Children's Museum, where children can learn and play through interactive exhibits and hands-on activities.
San Luis Obispo Nearby Cities
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13 miles away
- Rating: 5.3
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15 miles away
- Rating: 5.9
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in San Luis Obispo?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in San Luis Obispo has decreased -2% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $651, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$1,147,564
-2% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$651
-1% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$3,081
3% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for San Luis Obispo, California
Common terms for San Luis Obispo short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in San Luis Obispo has a description approximately 1,577 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 847 listings in San Luis Obispo, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Beach, San Luis, Pismo Beach, Luis Obispo, View, Deck, Patio, Block, Beautiful, and Downtown.
What are the most popular tourist activities in San Luis Obispo?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in San Luis Obispo involve going to the Beach, Winery Tours, the City Centre, Adventure Activities, and Surfing. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Beach
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Winery Tours
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City Centre
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Adventure Activities
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Surfing
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Outlet Shopping
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Whale Watching
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Hiking
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Cycling
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Horseback Riding
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Swimming
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Mountain Biking
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in San Luis Obispo, including California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach Pier, Avila Hot Springs, Monarch Butterfly Grove, and Monarch Butterfly Grove. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Regional Landmark
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California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Included on 60% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Pismo Beach Pier
Included on 60% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Avila Hot Springs
Included on 60% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Avila Beach Golf Resort
Included on 60% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area
Included on 59% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Monarch Butterfly Grove
Included on 55% of listings
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Local Landmark
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The Spa at Dolphin Bay
Included on 55% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Pismo State Beach
Included on 50% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Pismo Beach Premium Outlets
Included on 43% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Monarch Butterfly Grove
Included on 38% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Avila Beach
Included on 38% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Bubblegum Alley
Included on 38% of listings
What’s the weather like in San Luis Obispo, California?
The weather is about the same as the national average, with an average high temperature of around 71°, while the average low is about 48°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 13 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is scarce, with an average year having no snowfall. The humidity levels in San Luis Obispo are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
42° Low 64° High
Spring
March through May
47° Low 68° High
Summer
June through August
54° Low 76° High
Fall
September through November
50° Low 74° High
Cities Near San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California, is located in San Luis Obispo County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
