City of San Luis Obispo Overview

San Luis Obispo’s history as a European settlement began in 1772, less than 10 years after colonization of the coast began. It’s home to Alta California’s fifth oldest mission, and in 1856, it became the state of California’s 16th incorporated city.  That longevity has given the city five different designated historic districts (Downtown Historic District, Chinatown Historic District, Old Town Historic District, Mill Street Historic District, Railroad Historic District).

San Luis Obispo is a charter city and operates under the “council-mayor-city manager” form of municipal government. The five-member City Council includes a mayor, who is directly elected to a two-year term, and four councilmembers elected to staggered four-year terms. The mayor is limited to serving four consecutive terms; councilmembers can serve no more than two. Despite some pressure to institute voting districts, councilmembers are still elected at large.

The council appoints the city manager, who is responsible for guiding day-to-day operations of the city and its workforce. Under the city manager’s direction, the deputy city manager works with department staff on economic development, information technology, the Office of DEI, and the Office of Sustainability.

The city attorney is the attorney for the city of San Luis Obispo, providing legal advice to the City Council, various commissions and committees, and city staff. The city attorney defends the city against claims and litigation, initiates lawsuits on the city’s behalf, and enforces the Municipal Code.

The city clerk prepares and distributes agendas prior to council meetings, keeps records of all council actions, and conducts municipal elections, and coordinates the recruitment process for all of the city’s advisory bodies. The clerk also administers oaths of office serves as the custodian of many public records, and acts as filing officer for the California Fair Political Practices Commission.