San Luis Obispo doubles fines as Cal Poly students return
August 17, 2026
By KAREN VELIE
As Cal Poly students return to campus, San Luis Obispo police are patrolling neighborhoods looking for candidates for hefty fines.
From Aug. 18 through Aug. 31, fines are doubled for violations of the San Luis Obispo Municipal Code that occur commonly around the start of Cal Poly in the fall. The particular code violations include carrying open containers, noise violations, unruly gatherings, public urination and hosting gathering that involve underage drinking.
Doubled fines start at $700.
In August 2013, the San Luis Obispo City Council adopted the Safety Enhancement Zone Ordinance, which allows fines to double during times of year that traditionally generate the most partying. In addition to the beginning of school in the fall, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day and Mardi Gras are also safety enhancement times.
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