San Bernardino Cannabis Applications Are Open: Here's Everything You Need To Know!

EDITOR'S NOTE: San Bernardino has changed its cannabis application deadline. The new deadline will be  June 25, 2018. 

Big news: San Bernardino will begin accepting applications for commercial cannabis permits starting April 23, 2018. Here are the full details of the application process to ensure you are fully prepared.

Side note: on April 8, the city released specific ordinances regulating smoking in public, personal cultivation and commercial cannabis activity. Find a summary of those ordinances here.

San Bernardino Cannabis Application Process

On April 23, 2018, San Bernardino will begin accepting license applications for the operation of Commercial Cannabis Businesses (CCB). The city is issuing up to 17 licenses/permits. However, if all 17 licenses are not issued within the first round it is possible the city will open a second round of applications. This is a great opportunity for those who want to get into the cannabis business.


Act quickly as the application period will only be open for one month. The deadline for submitting your application is 4:00PM on May 23, 2018.

So, where do you start?

The city has provided a comprehensive overview of the application procedure guidelines. The actual application can be found here.

• San Bernardino's cannabis application states that the city is issuing cultivation, distribution, manufacturer, microbusiness, retailer and testing lab permits. Although the city says it will be issuing up to 17 permits, the website is not specific about how many of each it will be issuing. Page 16 of the ordinance states:

The number of each type of commercial cannabis business that shall be permitted to operate in the City shall be established by the Mayor and City Council.  At no time shall the total number of permits for all license types exceed one (1) permit per twelve thousand five hundred (12,500) residents of the City as determined by the most recent Population.

We will update you as the city responds to our inquiry.

• Prior to submitting your $183 application fee, you must submit a Zoning Verification Letter. This letter states that you have met the city’s zone and location requirements.  The letter must be from the Community Development Department. The process takes about 10 days, so start that process ASAP!
• Submit your Zoning Verification Letter along with:
  • An indemnification agreement (an agreement that removes the city from its liability).
  • Live Scan Criminal History Check: note that this process is currently delayed as the city is still working out the kinks. It must be conducted at the San Bernardino Police station. A new due date will be posted on the city website soon, so check regularly! We will also continue to update you. Find out more detailed information about the process on page 3 of this document. Each Cannabis Permit Employee and Owner must have a background check.
• You must submit 2 copies of your application.  Each application must be in a 3-ring binder AND an additional copy must be on a flash drive.
• Fees are $2,647 + $300 per background check, per business owner.  It is an additional $132 for each LiveScan Check. See below for the full fee schedule, taken directly from the San Bernardino Application Guidelines.

How will San Bernardino evaluate cannabis license applications? 
Applications are evaluated and ranked based on the following:

• Location (200 Points)
• Business Plan (400 Points)
• Neighborhood Compatibility Plan (300 Points)
• Safety Plan (300 Points)
• Security Plan (300 Points)

If you complete Phase 2 with a score of at least an 80%, you will move on to Phase 3.  There will be a maximum of 34 applicants that move on to Phase 3. If you make it to Phase 3, there will be an extensive interview process. You can find the details of the process on page 4 of this document.


San Bernardino will begin accepting applications starting April 23, but they close on May 23.  With only one month to complete your full application, contact California Cannabis CPA to ensure you have everything in order to nab a commercial cannabis permit!

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