City of Pismo Beach 760 Mattie Road Pismo Beach, CA 93449 Ph: (805) 773-4657
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Frequently Asked Questions
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The following is a list of questions frequently asked by citizens. You may search for specific words or phases, or shorten the list by selecting a specific category.
Building
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The issuance of a building permit ensures that appropriate plans have been reviewed and the resulting construction is inspected to satisfy local, State and Federal requirements to safeguard the public health, welfare and safety. These requirements include building construction codes for fire and earthquake safety, energy conservation codes, and zoning codes.
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Depending on the scope of work proposed, it could be an over-the-counter permit or take up to six weeks or longer depending on Design Professionals. The Building Division’s goal is for a 10-day turnaround for the first review and 5-day turnaround for each additional review.
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No. Your work will be limited to the area(s) shown on the approved plans. For example: If you modernize the kitchen with new wiring, you would not be required to re-wire the entire house.
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Not necessarily. It depends on the complexity of the work done and whether or not it meets City standards and codes. Please contact us to discuss your particular situation.
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Yes, please contact our Public Works Department at (805) 773-4656 for more information.
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Property owners who build or remodel structures without obtaining the necessary permits are in violation of the Uniform Building Codes and various ordinances. They may be required to remove the structure. Unless the structure is removed, approvals are still required. Upon sale of the property, you must disclose any work that has been done without the benefit of required permits. This could jeopardize the sale of your property.
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It depends on the type of project being permitted. Fees tend to be job specific, usually provoking more questions than answers. If you wish to get an estimate specific to your project, please call the office at (805) 773-7040.
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Call the office at (805) 773-7040 to get a status.
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Most of these are over-the-counter permits. You will need to bring a completed Building Permit application into the Building Division.
Building Permit Application
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Green buildings are those built using innovative building techniques to reduce energy and water usage while still providing a high level of economic, engineering and environmental performance. Additional information on green buildings can be obtained from www.slogreenbuild.org. or
U.S. Green Building Council
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◘ 2007 California Building Code (Volumes 1 and 2) ◘ 2007 California Mechanical Code ◘ 2007 California Plumbing Code ◘ 2007 California Electrical Code ◘ 2007 California Energy Code ◘ 2007 California Historical Building Code ◘ 2007 California Existing Building Code ◘ 2006 International Property Maintenance CodeThe new codes will be effective January 1, 2008 and will govern all projects that are submitted for plan check on or after the effective date. Permit applications that have been submitted and paid plan check fees prior to January 1, 2008 will be reviewed and permitted under the 2001 California Codes as long as the plan check has not expired.
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Business License
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Pick up an Application in person at the Finance Office at City Hall (760 Mattie Road), download an application from the Website, or request by phone (805) 773-4655 or mail that an application be mailed or faxed to you. In addition to a regular license to do business within the City there is a Contractor Business License and a Special Events Business License.
Business License
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Fees vary depending on type of business. For many retail and services businesses, the annual fee is based on the amount of Gross Receipts. A Home Occupation Permit is required if the business is conducted from a home in Pismo Beach. The fee for the Home Occupation Permit is $179.00.
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Every business conducted from a home in the City of Pismo Beach must first get a Home Occupation Permit (from the City’s Planning Department). Then submit that Home Occupation Permit to Finance as part of the application for a City business license.
Home Occupation Permit
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Pick up an Application in person at the Planning Department at City Hall, 760 Mattie Road, download an application from the Document Center at the City Website, request one to mailed or faxed to you by calling (805) 773-4655.
Document Center
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Usually, Business Licenses are mailed about a week after receipt of a complete application (including payment).
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In addition to a regular license to do business within the City there is a Special Events Business License. This application is for use by vendors with no permanent place of business in the City of Pismo beach, and includes vendors who may do business only on selected days. Fees vary depending on one-time use, 6- or 12-month application. A Event Exhibitor/Vendor Permit is also required. Permits can be downloaded using the Document Center.
Business License for Special Events
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Once you have a Business License, the City will automatically mail a renewal notice to the mailing address of record about thirty (30) days before the expiration date. If you do not receive a renewal notice before the expiration date, please contact the Finance Department. Failure to receive a renewal notice does not relieve the business owner of responsibility for renewing the business license - nor is it grounds for waiving any penalties due.
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A business license is not transferable. The license is terminated when business ownership changes. The new owner will be responsible for obtaining his/her own business license.
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Fictitious business names are filed with the County of San Luis Obispo County Records Office in the City of San Luis Obispo. To contact the Records office, call (805) 781-5088 or visit their web page at www.slocounty.ca.gov.
SLO Clerk-Recorder
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To obtain a Seller's Permit, contact the State Board of Equalization at (800) 400-7115, or visit their web site at www.boe.ca.gov.
State Board of Equalization
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Yes. All persons or businesses doing work within the City limits are required to obtain a City of Pismo Beach business license. To verify if the person you hired has a business license, call (805) 773-4655.
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The City does not handle complaints about unfair business practice or poor service. If the complaint is regarding unfair business practice or poor service, contact the Better Business Bureau at (562) 216-9240 or visit their website at www.labbb.org.
Better Business Bureau
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All complaints against contractors are handled through the Contractors State License Board. they can be reached at (800) 321-2752, or visit their website at www.cslb.ca.gov.
Contractors State License Board
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City Attorney
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David Fleishman is the City Attorney for Pismo Beach. He has represented nearly 40 cities and other local public agencies during the course of his career. He has been City Attorney since November 2003. The City Attorney's Office provides legal service to the City Council, agencies, boards, departments, and offices in the City of Pismo Beach. The City Attorney is selected by, and answerable to the City Council.
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No. The City Attorney does not represent Pismo Beach residents in private legal matters, although as a contract city attorney, the City Attorney may have clients other than the City of Pismo Beach, provided such representation does not constitute a conflict of interest.
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To file a claim against the City, you must serve the claim, either by mail or personal delivery, at the: City Clerk's Office 760 Mattie Road Pismo Beach, CA 93449. To obtain a claim form, you may contact the City Clerk by mail or by calling (805) 773-7003. Neither the City Attorney nor any other City employee can render you legal advice on your claim. You may wish to consult with your own attorney to determine your legal rights.
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Hard copies of codes or particular ordinances can be obtained by contacting the City Clerk office at (805) 773-4657.
Pismo Beach Municipal Code
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The City Attorney maintains regular office hours at City Hall on a weekly basis. Should you feel that a meeting with the City Attorney is necessary, please contact the City Clerk's office at (805) 773-7003 for further informaiton.
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City Clerk
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You can pick up a copy of the Council agenda at the City Clerk’s Office on the Friday prior to the Tuesday meeting or you can review the agenda online.
Agendas & Minutes
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Staff reports are available once they have been distributed to the Council, generally on the Friday before the Tuesday meeting. Anyone may obtain a copy of a staff report by requesting it from the City Clerk's Office at (805) 773-4654. Current staff reports are available on the Current Agenda webpage.
Current Agenda
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Requests for public documents may be made through the City Clerk's Office in person, in writing, by phone or by Access Pismo Beach. The City has 10 calendar days to respond and will advise the requestor, as to fee, if any, and availability of those records for inspection or photocopying.
Access Pismo Beach
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Access Pismo Beach is an easy way to send your questions, complaints and compliments directly to the City staff person who can help you. We hope you enjoy this service and we look forward to getting back to you.
Access Pismo Beach
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You can attend the meeting in person, watch the meeting live on Tuesdays, beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Charter Communications Ch. 20, watch the recorded meeting daily during meeting weeks on Charter Communications Ch. 20 at 9:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m., and 1:00 a.m. or view the meeting live on the City’s website using our video streaming module. Our video streaming module also features archives of past meeting.
Video Streaming Module
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You can purchase a DVD of a City Council meeting by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (805) 773-4657. You may also view the City Council meeting on our website through the video-on-demand archive.
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City Council elections are held on the first Tuesday of November in even-numbered years. The next election is scheduled for November, 2008. Each candidate must be a resident of the City and a registered voter.
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The City does not issue marriage licenses. Licenses may be obtained from the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder’s Office located at 1055 Monterey Street, Suite D120, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. The telephone number is (805) 781-5080.
SLO Clerk-Recorder
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Yes, with certain restrictions. Please call the City Clerk's Department at (805) 773-7003.
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Please contact the City's Planning Department at (805) 773-4658.
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Generally speaking no. However, if the event will be large scale you might want to call the City Clerk at (805) 773-7003 to be sure. Certain elements, parades, runs, etc. for example, require a City permit.
Special Event Application
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Yes. The City Clerk’s Office is one of 9,000 passport acceptance facilities. You will need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time: if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16; or if your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen. For more information on getting a new passport, please visit the Department of State website.
Department of State - Passport Infomation
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No. Renewals are done by mail. However you can only renew your passport if: Your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged; you received the passport within the past 15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the same name, or can legally document your name change. You can get a passport renewal application form by downloading it from the Department of State website. If your passport has been, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.
Department of State - Passport Renewal Infomation
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The San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder handles these services. The Clerk-Record’s office is located at 1055 Monterey Street, Suite D120, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408. The telephone number is (805) 781-5080.
SLO Clerk-Recorder
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The Clam Chronicle is published quarterly and is mailed at no cost to all Pismo Beach Postal Customers. Past issues are available on the City’s Archive Center.
Archive Center
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City Council
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The regular meeting schedule is the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 4:30 pm. However, these schedules can vary, so you may check with the City Clerk's Office, or access the City’s calendar.
City's Calendar
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Yes, the public may address the City Councilmembers at meetings. You will need to complete a speaker slip and hand it to the City Clerk at the start of the meeting.
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Please provide your request in writing to the City Clerk or by Access Pismo Beach. Generally, the City only issues resolutions and proclamations for matters that particularly pertain to the City of Pismo Beach; however, the City Clerk and/or the City Manager will review your request and determine whether the Council will issue a proclamation or resolution. It is helpful to provide copies of proclamations and resolutions either from other years, or other municipalities in California that have supported your request.
Access Pismo Beach
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Access Pismo Beach is an easy way to send your questions, complaints and compliments directly to the City staff person who can help you. We hope you enjoy this service and we look forward to getting back to you.
Access Pismo Beach
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No, the City Councilmembers are elected at-large and represent the entire City.
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The City of Pismo Beach is a General Law City.
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The City Councilmembers are non-partisan.
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Invitations should be sent as early as possible to the attention of the City Council as a whole, or to an individual Councilmember, to 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449.
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The general public may schedule an appointment with an individual councilmember by contacting them directly. Contact information is available on the Council home page. If you would like to speak to the entire Council at one time, you may speak for a timed, 3-minute period during the Public Comments portion of the City Council meeting.
Council Contact Information
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Downtown Paid Parking
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• To better manage parking • To provide funding for parking projects and maintenance • To eliminate general taxpayer funding of parking projects
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• To centralize the issuance of parking receipts • To eliminate the need to maintaining hundreds of individual parking meters • Centralized Parking Pay Stations offer more payment options
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• The Parking Pay Stations are located throughout the paid parking areas of downtown • Parking Pay Stations are marked with specialized signage noting the locations • Refer to the enclosed map, for the exact locations
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• Insert Coins or Credit Card/Debit Card. Time may be purchased in 1-hour increments with card(s) and various amounts of time with coins. • Paid Parking can be bought up to 8 hours maximum and can be pre-purchased before the operating hours of 10:00am to 6:00 pm. • Once you have decided on the amount of parking time and paid your amount, press the green button and a receipt will be issued to you. This parking receipt needs to be displayed face-up on the right side of your dash to confirm your purchase.
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• Paid Parking is enforced from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm everyday, including week-ends and holidays. • Parking prior to 10:00 am and after 6:00 pm is FREE!
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• Park before or after the enforcement hours. • Park farther from the downtown area, where free parking along city streets can be found. • Park off-street in private parking areas or dirt lots available to the public. Do not park on private land, if so marked.
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City of Pismo Beach – Parking Division 585 Dolliver Street (at the corner of Dolliver & Hinds) Pismo Beach, CA. 93449 805-773-7451 voice 805-773-1725 fax
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Engineering
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Most of this information can be accessed at the Engineering Department counter. The City typically has accurate information on sewer and water mains and public right of way. The City also has some records indicating location of onsite water and sewer laterals and private property lines.
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Please refer to the Capital Improvement Program Report. The City prepares a Capital Improvement Program each year.
Capital Improvement Program
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You can contact Public Works at (805)773-7053 for assistance. After hours you can contact dispatch at (805)773-2208. However the homeowner or resident is responsible for protection of their own property.
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South County Sanitary is responsible for the City's garbage collection. You may call (805)489-4246 for assistance.
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Submit a request in writing to the Traffic Safety Committee, 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449 and they will determine if a stop sign is warranted.
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Submit a request in writing to the Traffic Safety Committee, 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449 and they will determine if a red curb is warranted.
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In residential neighborhoods residents are responsible for their own sidewalk repair. Please contact the Engineering Department at (805)773-4656 prior to starting work. In commercial areas the City maintains the sidewalks therefore please call (805)773-7053 for assistance.
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Contact the Department of Fish & Game at the Marine Mammal Center (805)771-8300.
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General
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City Hall is located at 760 Mattie Road, Pismo Beach, CA 93449. Traveling from 101 South, take the Shell Beach exit, turn right onto Mattie Road. Traveling from 101 North, take the Shell Beach exit, turn left onto Mattie Road.
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Access Pismo Beach is an easy way to send your questions, complaints and compliments directly to the City staff person who can help you. We hope you enjoy this service and we look forward to getting back to you.
Access Pismo Beach
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Copies of Resolutions and Ordinances are available through the City Clerk’s Office or by Access Pismo Beach. An Ordinance is a City law and laws are summarized in the Pismo Beach Municipal Code.
Municipal Code
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If you notice an outage, call the Public Works Department at (805) 773-7053 or by Access Pismo Beach.
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The City appreciates your help in alerting us to graffiti problems in our community. If you observe graffiti in the City, please note the location and call the Public Wor | |
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