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Police

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1. Location of the Police Department

The Pismo Beach Police Department is located at:
1000 Bello Street
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
Driving Directions:
Coming Northbound on Hwy 101
Exit Wadsworth, turn Right on Wadsworth, turn Right on Bello St.

Coming Southbound on Hwy 101
Exit Pismo Beach/Hwy 1, turn Left on Price St., turn Left on Wadsworth, turn Right on Bello St.

2. Hours of Operation

The Pismo Beach Police Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Administrative Business Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday.
Records Bureau Hours: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday – Friday.
Property Room Hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday – Thursday. (Property is released by appointment only.)

3. Alcohol Permit (Service/Sale)

Any non-profit organization which serves or sells alcohol at an event with 100 people or more will need to complete an Alcohol Use Application from the Pismo Beach Police Department which will be reviewed and signed by the Chief of Police. For those events where alcohol is sold, the applicant will need to contact the Dept of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) in San Luis Obispo located on 3220 S. Higuera St., Suite 305, (805) 543-7183. For more information about alcohol sales or service, contact Police Administration at (805) 773-7029. For a link to the Alcohol Use Application, go to Police Services.

4. Animal Related Issues

The Dept of Animal Regulation should be contacted for further assistance and instructions for all animal related issues including barking dogs, injured animals or loose animals. Their number is (805) 781-4400.

5. Carry Concealed Weapons Permit (CCW)

Applicants need to complete a DOJ CCW application and complete a background check. All requests to carry a concealed weapon must be reviewed and approved by the Chief of Police. Contact Police Administration at (805) 773-7029 for more information.

6. Clearance Letters

Clearance letters cover only the Pismo Beach jurisdiction. The fee is $47 per letter and may be paid by cash, check, or money order (made payable to the City of Pismo Beach). Call (805) 773-7024 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for more information. Allow five days for completion of the letter.

7. Fingerprinting

Live Scan fingerprinting fees are $20 for the rolling fee plus the DOJ/FBI fee which is typically between $32 and $93. Call (805) 773-7024 to schedule an appointment. We accept cash or checks only at time of service.

8. Fix-it Tickets

If you were issued a ticket by one of our officers, you can have the citation signed off at no charge. If your ticket was issued by another agency, there is a $20 sign-off fee. Bring the citation and the vehicle to the Police Department. After the officer has signed off the citation, contact the court noted on your citation for fine information.

9. Request a Copy of a Police Report

Traffic Collision reports are usually available 7-10 working days from the date the report was taken. All other reports are subject to release per 6254(F) of the Public Records Act. Call (805) 773-7024 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for availability and cost.

10. Ride-Along Request

To ride along with a patrol officer, you must complete the Ride-Along Request form and submit it to the Police Department to be reviewed by the on-duty Watch Commander. Please specify what days/hours you would like to ride along. Ride-along requests are given priority to those who have a legitimate need to know more about law enforcement such as those applying for a position with the Police Department or students with a Criminal Law major. Ride-Along Application

11. Street Closures

Street closures may be set up for some special events. Street closures will be posted on the NewsFlash section of this website just prior to the event date. News Flash

12. Taxi Driver Permit

To obtain a permit to drive a taxi cab in Pismo Beach, you must do the following:
1. A background and medical clearance must be performed on anyone wishing to obtain a taxi driver permit. To bypass the Pismo Beach background process, you may obtain a taxi permit through the San Luis Police Dept or Arroyo Grande Police Dept. These agencies also perform full background and medical checks before issuing a permit. Pismo Beach will “piggyback” on these checks and therefore will not need to conduct its own to issue you a permit.
2. Come to the Pismo Beach Police Dept between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Bring the following:
* Original, un-expired San Luis or Arroyo Grande taxi permit (if applicable)
* Original, un-expired California Driver’s License.
* Two (2) color passport size current photographs.
* Pay Current processing fee.
3. Complete the Pismo Beach Taxi Permit Application. Upon review of all material submitted, the Chief of Police will authorize/deny a taxi permit with the City of Pismo Beach. The permit is good for one year.

13. Tours of the Police Department

Tours can be arranged with the Anita at (805) 773-7018 or achannell@pismobeach.org. Tours can be tailored to the group’s interests.

14. Vehicle Releases

The vehicle impound release fee is $265 (CASH ONLY) as of July 1, 2022. Contact the towing company for the towing and storage fee. Vehicle and property releases can be made only to the registered owner. Registered owners unable to appear in person must provide a notarized letter giving permission for you to retrieve the vehicle on their behalf. Call (805) 773-7024 for more information. If the vehicle is placed on a hold, you may schedule an in-person early release hearing with the on duty Watch Commander. This is not a guarantee that the vehicle will be released early. All vehicles must have a current registration at time of release.

15. Victims' Rights

On November 4, 2008, the People of the State of California approved Proposition 9, the Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsy’s Law. This measure amended the California Constitution to provide additional rights to victims. This card contains specific sections of the Victims’ Bill of Rights and resources. Crime victims may obtain additional information regarding Marsy’s Law and local Victim Witness Assistance Center information by contacting the Victims of Crime Resource Center at 1-800-Victims or 1-800-842-8467. Victims' Rights Webpage

16. Volunteering

Volunteer services are a vital part of the Pismo Beach Police Dept. Volunteers serve in various capacities throughout the department. Graduates of our Citizen Academy are eligible to become members of the Citizen Volunteer Patrol (CVP). CVPs perform tasks such as traffic control, vacation house checks, transportation of court documents, and much more. Currently the Pismo Beach Police Department has 13 volunteers. If you would like more information about the volunteer opportunities that exist within the department, please contact Sergeant Adrian Souza at (805) 773-2208 or asouza@pismobeach.org.

Volunteer Patrol

17. Camping on Pismo Beach?

Camping is not permitted on Pismo Beach proper but it is permitted just a few miles south on Pismo State Beach. Pismo Beach does have a large recreational vehicle park and campgrounds where camping is permitted.

18. Campfires on Pismo Beach?

Barbeques in hibachi or container-type barbeques are allowed on Pismo Beach. Open fires are not allowed on the beach.

19. Clam Digging on Pismo Beach?

You must have a fishing license and must follow guidelines for size and quantity if you want to remove any clams from the beach. According to state law: Clams must measure 4 1/2" in diameter before they can be taken. Undersized clams must be replaced in the very same hole that they were taken from. A saltwater fishing license is required. The licenses are issued by the Department of Fish and Game. Clams may be taken only between a half-hour before sunrise and a half-hour after sunset. The limit for clamming is 10 clams per day per person. More...

20. Dogs on the Beach?

Dogs are permitted on the beach but they must be on a leash at all times. Pet owners must be responsible for cleaning up after their pet. Dogs are not permitted on the Pismo Pier.

21. Fishing Permit/Fishing Off the Pismo Beach Pier?

A fishing license is not required to fish off the pier. However if you plan to fish from the shoreline or from a boat, a license is necessary. Also, if you are planning to park in the pier parking lot between the hours of 11:00 pm and 4:00 am in order to fish, you will need a parking pass, obtainable in the lobby of the Pismo Beach Police Station on 1000 Bello Street.

22. Vehicles or Horses on the Beach?

Neither motor vehicles nor horses are permitted on Pismo Beach. However they are permitted a few miles to the south on Pismo State Beach.

23. Weather at Pismo Beach?

Temperatures range year round from the high 50’s to the high 70’s. Gusty afternoon wind and morning coastal fog are prevalent in the spring and summer months.