The County of San Luis Obispo is continuing to provide essential services to residents during the current Shelter at Home order, intended to slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in SLO County by ensuring the maximum number of people self-quarantine in their residence to the extent possible, while enabling essential services to continue.
The emergency order became effective Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 5 p.m. and will remain in effect until April 17, 2020. It will be reviewed every 14 days to evaluate the need to continue the order. The executive order is consistent with State guidance issued on March 19 and measures taken in other California counties.
“The health and safety of our community is and always will be our top priority,” said County Administrative Officer and Emergency Services Director Wade Horton. “That means we’ll continue to provide the most essential services to our community during this critical time.”
County offices are still open for business, but most public counters are closed. Residents are encouraged to access services and conduct business online or over the phone when possible; if not possible, residents may call ahead to a department to make an appointment. To protect the health of the community, residents and employees who exhibit signs of illness while visiting an office in person will be asked to leave.
See information on next page for detail on services available from each County department.
| County Department | Public Counter Open? | Public Services Provided |
| Auditor – Controller – Treasurer – Tax Collector – Public Administrator (ACTTCPA) (805) 781-5831 | No | Property tax payments (online, drop box in lobby)Business license renewals (online)Transient Occupancy Tax and other tax payments (online) Note: Under state law, the April 10 delinquency date for the second installment of annual property taxes remains in effect. |
| Agriculture/Weights and Measures (805) 781-5910 | No | Conducting pesticide use enforcementIssuing export certification for agricultural commoditiesInspecting incoming commodity shipments of agricultural commodities and other plant materialConducting exotic pest detection activities based on temporary help availability. |
| Airports (805) 781-5205 | Yes | Airport is open unless and until directed otherwise by the FAA. |
| Animal Services (805) 781-4400 | Yes (modified) | Shelter:Normal animal care of sheltered animalsMedical care of sheltered animalsCustodial intakeField Service intakesReturned to Owner (RTO)Adoption (by appointment)Owner surrender (by appointment only)Euthanasia OfficeBite report processingLost and Found reporting (online or by phone only) FieldAgency assistanceAggressive / public safety animal responseBite quarantineAbuse / Neglect / Welfare investigationsInjured / Ill animal intake |
| Behavioral Health (800) 838-1381 | Yes (modified) | Crisis Hotline available 24/7: 800-783-0607Psychiatric Health FacilityCrisis Stabilization UnitsMobile Mental Health Evaluation Teams and hospital-based servicesAssessment services through the Access Phone line: 800-838-1381Regional clinic sites will remain open with minimal on-site staffing; crisis calls and appointments are still answered at 1-800-838-1381Clinic medication servicesMartha’s Place will facilitate medication refills for childrenOther treatment services provided by telephone/telehealth |
| Child Support Services (866) 901-3212 | Yes | Processing child support ordersProvide all essential servicesNo genetic testing |
| Clerk-Recorder (805) 781-5080 | No | ElectionsRecordings (via Electronic Recordings and by mail)Other services provided by mail: birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, official record copies, FBNs, notaries, CEQA filingsVote By Mail ballot drop box will be available in lobbyMarriage licenses by appointment only |
| County Fire (805) 543-4244 | No | Open and providing regular services |
| District Attorney (805) 781-5800 | No | Court support – adult and juvenileCase filingsCourt calendarVictim-witness advocatesDiscovery processingInvestigationsImminent risk CAIT interviewsSome cyber lab services for exigent circumstances only |
| Library (805) 781-5991 | No | All branches are closed |
| Parks & Recreation (805) 781-5930 | No | Golf and parks are openCampgrounds and playgrounds are closed. |
| Planning and Building (805) 781-5600 | No | InspectionsCode enforcement for health and safety issuesEmergency Permits |
| Probation (805) 781-5300 | No | Youth detention supervisionAdult probation services at Casa Loma and Prado RdJuvenile probation services |
| Public Guardian | No | Continuing regular services |
| Public Health (805) 781-5500 | Yes (modified) | Communicable disease investigationsLaboratoryEmergency preparedness and responseEnvironmental healthJuvenile Services CenterMedically Indigent Services Program (MISP)Vital records (including birth certificates and death certificates)Suspected Abuse Response Team (SART)WIC is continuing to enroll clients and distribute food vouchers via telephone and distribute emergency breastfeeding supplies / equipment.Foster care case managementField nursing is triaging urgent referrals and following up by phoneReproductive health is conducting visits by phone |
| Public Works (805) 781-5252 | No | Wastewater/Water operationsRoads operationsFlood control operations |
| Sheriff (805) 781-4550 | Yes | Daily services continue |
| Social Services (805) 781-1600 | Yes | Child Welfare ServicesAdult Services: In-Home Supportive Services and Public AuthorityCalWORKsCalFreshMedi-CalGeneral AssistanceHotlines for both Child Welfare Services and Adult Services are functioning as usual |
| UC Cooperative Extension (805) 781-5940 | No | Providing support for agriculture, agricultural research, ensuring community members have access to food |
| Veterans Services (805) 781-5766 | No | Administration and processing of veterans’ claims |
The following departments are currently only providing internal support, not services to the public: Assessor, Central Services, County Counsel, Human Resources, and Information Technology,
