Cannabis Regulatory Requirements

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As part of the Socially Equitable Cannabis Program (Cannabis Program), the County is developing local regulations to allow for new commercial cannabis facilities within the unincorporated County. This will include updates (also referred to as amendments) to the County Regulatory Code of Ordinances (Regulatory Code) and the County Zoning Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance).

Currently, only the five existing cannabis facilities within the unincorporated area are allowed to operate. No new cannabis facilities are allowed under the existing ordinances. New facilities may be allowed when the Board of Supervisors (Board) adopts the proposed Cannabis Program.

Regulatory Code Update

The Regulatory Code is a set of policies that guides various functions in the County. The proposed Cannabis Program will require the County to update the Regulatory Code. The updates will outline the requirements to run a cannabis business. The requirements may include rules related to signage, security, and licensing criteria. Business types include:

  • Retail (including Onsite Consumption)
  • Cultivation
  • Manufacturing
  • Distribution
  • Microbusiness
  • Testing
  • Temporary Events

Zoning Ordinance Update

The Zoning Ordinance regulates land uses in the unincorporated area of the county. Zoning ordinances allow for specific activities in designated areas or zones. This makes sure that activities take place in suitable locations for the protection of people and the environment. The proposed Cannabis Program will require the County to update the Zoning Ordinance. The amendments will outline which cannabis businesses are allowed and the zones where they are permitted.

On January 27, 2021 (4), the Board directed where cannabis businesses can be allowed. They also directed that cannabis facilities cannot be located within 600 feet of a K-12 school, daycare or youth center. This required minimum distance between two uses is a buffer. These types of locations listed are state-identified sensitive uses. Read more about sensitive uses in the FAQ/definitions on this page.

Table 1. Board Directed Zoning for Cannabis Facilities


ZONE

CANNABIS ACTIVITY/USE TYPE

Agriculture

Commercial

Industrial

Retail


X

X

Cultivation

X



Manufacturing



X

Distribution



X

Testing



X

Microbusiness

X

X

X


On June 15, 2022 (7), the Board directed staff to explore a 1,000-foot setback from additional sensitive uses such as parks, places of worship, public libraries, and residential care facilities, among others. Both the 600 and 1,000-foot setbacks will be analyzed as part of the Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) staff is preparing for the Cannabis Program.

How Do I Get Involved?

  • Stay informed by reviewing the information on this site
  • Share information with your communities
  • Participate in the engagement tools on this site
  • Contribute to the conversations at meetings
  • Review and comment on draft ordinances when available
  • Ask questions

To subscribe to the Cannabis Program email notification list, select “Stay Informed” (on the right for webpage users or scroll down for users).


As part of the Socially Equitable Cannabis Program (Cannabis Program), the County is developing local regulations to allow for new commercial cannabis facilities within the unincorporated County. This will include updates (also referred to as amendments) to the County Regulatory Code of Ordinances (Regulatory Code) and the County Zoning Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance).

Currently, only the five existing cannabis facilities within the unincorporated area are allowed to operate. No new cannabis facilities are allowed under the existing ordinances. New facilities may be allowed when the Board of Supervisors (Board) adopts the proposed Cannabis Program.

Regulatory Code Update

The Regulatory Code is a set of policies that guides various functions in the County. The proposed Cannabis Program will require the County to update the Regulatory Code. The updates will outline the requirements to run a cannabis business. The requirements may include rules related to signage, security, and licensing criteria. Business types include:

  • Retail (including Onsite Consumption)
  • Cultivation
  • Manufacturing
  • Distribution
  • Microbusiness
  • Testing
  • Temporary Events

Zoning Ordinance Update

The Zoning Ordinance regulates land uses in the unincorporated area of the county. Zoning ordinances allow for specific activities in designated areas or zones. This makes sure that activities take place in suitable locations for the protection of people and the environment. The proposed Cannabis Program will require the County to update the Zoning Ordinance. The amendments will outline which cannabis businesses are allowed and the zones where they are permitted.

On January 27, 2021 (4), the Board directed where cannabis businesses can be allowed. They also directed that cannabis facilities cannot be located within 600 feet of a K-12 school, daycare or youth center. This required minimum distance between two uses is a buffer. These types of locations listed are state-identified sensitive uses. Read more about sensitive uses in the FAQ/definitions on this page.

Table 1. Board Directed Zoning for Cannabis Facilities


ZONE

CANNABIS ACTIVITY/USE TYPE

Agriculture

Commercial

Industrial

Retail


X

X

Cultivation

X



Manufacturing



X

Distribution



X

Testing



X

Microbusiness

X

X

X


On June 15, 2022 (7), the Board directed staff to explore a 1,000-foot setback from additional sensitive uses such as parks, places of worship, public libraries, and residential care facilities, among others. Both the 600 and 1,000-foot setbacks will be analyzed as part of the Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) staff is preparing for the Cannabis Program.

How Do I Get Involved?

  • Stay informed by reviewing the information on this site
  • Share information with your communities
  • Participate in the engagement tools on this site
  • Contribute to the conversations at meetings
  • Review and comment on draft ordinances when available
  • Ask questions

To subscribe to the Cannabis Program email notification list, select “Stay Informed” (on the right for webpage users or scroll down for users).


  • Socially Equitable Cannabis Program Board of Supervisors Hearing

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    The Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego will conduct a public hearing on the Socially Equitable Cannabis Program. The hearing information is as follows:

    Date: January 14, 2026

    Time: 9:00 a.m.

    Location: County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 310, San Diego, California 92101

    Subject of Board Hearing

    The development of the draft Socially Equitable Cannabis Program (SECP) was directed by the Board of Supervisors (Board) on January 27, 2021, and would allow for new cannabis facilities in the unincorporated areas.

    This public hearing will provide the Board with an update on the SECP and will request policy direction on specific components of the program. No formal Board recommendation will be made regarding the SECP. Final program consideration will occur at a future noticed public hearing.

    At the January hearing, the Board will hear stakeholder feedback received and provide policy direction for several key program areas, including allowed cannabis activities (allow or prohibit outdoor cultivation, consumption lounges and temporary events), buffer distances, the definition of sensitive uses, and separation requirements between cannabis facilities. Additionally, staff is requesting Board direction on whether to continue to develop the Community Equity Contribution Program (as directed by the Board on June 15, 2022).

    The public comments received during the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report public review period, as well as a fact sheet covering what is under Board consideration at this hearing are available on the Project Website under the “Documents” heading.

    If you have any questions, please contact Dara Elkurdi in your preferred language at PDS.LongRangePlanning@sdcounty.ca.gov or by phone at (858) 505-6677.

    Public Participation

    Those wishing to participate in the meeting and/or comment should visit the Clerk of the Board website at https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/cob/bosa.html. If you have any questions, please contact the Board Operations Unit at (619) 531-5434 or via email to publiccomment@sdcounty.ca.gov.

    Assistance for Persons with Disabilities or Requesting Interpretation

    Please contact the Clerk of the Board at (619) 531-5434 or via e-mail at PublicComment@sdcounty.ca.gov to request a disability-related accommodation or an interpreter. Individuals requiring sign language interpreters should contact the Countywide ADA Title II Coordinator at (619) 531-4908. Requests for accommodation or assistance should be submitted at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Visit the Board website for more information.

  • Cannabis Program Planning Commission Hearing (Informational Item)

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    On October 17, 2025, the County of San Diego’s Planning Commission received an informational update on the draft Socially Equitable Cannabis Program. The Planning Commission received an overview of the draft Zoning Ordinance amendments and the Draft PEIR, a summary of public outreach and feedback, and potential zoning ordinance changes that reflected stakeholder comments. No formal recommendations were made on the Cannabis Program.

    Click here to view a recording of the Planning Commission Hearing.

  • Draft Ordinances Available for Public Review

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The Cannabis Program Draft EIR and draft ordinances are available for public review and comment through March 31, 2025.

    To review and submit comments on the Draft EIR and draft ordinances, please visit the Cannabis Program Engagement Portal and follow the instructions under “Review the Draft EIR”. The draft ordinance amendments can be found in Appendix B.

    In addition, staff has also developed fact sheets for the Draft Zoning Ordinance and the Draft Regulatory Code, which you can find under “Documents” on the right-hand side of this page (or scroll down if you are using a mobile device).

    For more information on what is included in the Draft EIR and draft ordinances and how to submit comments, you are invited to attend one of our upcoming public meetings. At these meetings we will discuss the public review process and how to navigate the Cannabis Program Engagement Portal where you can review and provide comments directly on the draft documents. You may also provide your comments to staff at these meetings.

    Please register for the following meetings! (Registration is free, does not require you to create an account, and helps us anticipate the number of attendees.)

    Virtual Meetings

    In-Person Open Houses

    • When & Where:
      • February 25, 2025, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Lakeside County Library, 12428 Woodside Avenue, Lakeside, CA 92040
      • February 26, 2025, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Valley Center County Library, 29200 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, CA 92082

  • Notice of Public Meetings - Regulatory Considerations

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    The County hosted three phases of virtual public outreach meetings from March to July 2023 to gather public feedback on regulatory program considerations as directed by the Board:

    • Cannabis facility design guidelines
    • Options to limit the number of cannabis facilities and consumption lounges
    • Definition and guidelines for cannabis events
    • Community Equity Contribution Program


    See Key Dates for more information.

Page last updated: 15 Dec 2025, 02:51 PM