|
Sonoma County began accepting permit applications for commercial and medical cannabis business on July 5th, 2017. The Sonoma County Cannabis Program outlines the most current information regarding the application process. Currently, they are offering permits for medical Indoor and Outdoor Cultivation, Dispensaries, Distribution and Transportation, Manufacturing, Nurseries, and Testing Facilities.
Sonoma County is cannabis-friendly, and even offers a new business Cannabis Business Readiness Guide to those who are looking to gain entry into the market. In the coming months, they are even offering workshops to prepare individuals for entry into the market. The Sonoma County Cannabis Calendar has a Cannabis: Outdoor Cultivation Zoning Permit Workshop, Medical Cannabis Dispensary Health Permit Workshop, Edible Medical Cannabis Manufacturing Site Permit Workshop, and Cannabis Pesticide Permit Workshop on the books. These workshops promise to bring information regarding the permitting process and key tips to remain compliant. While friendly to medical use, it is important to point out that the County currently prohibits nonmedical or “recreational” commercial cannabis uses, with the exception of up to six plants not exceeding 100 sq. ft. for personal use per residence. It’s likely that as they gain a full grasp of the medical cannabis regulations, they will allow for expansion into the recreational space. Next, Sonoma County is looking to develop the local economy. They are offering priority to applicants who are able to demonstrate 1 of the 2 following criteria:
All applicants will be subject to annual inspections and permitting. Additionally, applicants must be 21 or older, will be subject to background screening, and must be in compliance with all occupational safety requirements (Cal/OSHA, wage and hour laws, etc). Below is a summary of the requirements for each type of permit available. Permits can be submitted to the address below. Permit Sonoma 2550 Ventura Avenue Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Cultivation and Nurseries Those interested in operating a cannabis cultivation or nursery site will require a Cannabis Use Permit. There are different requirements depending on the cultivation type. Building, Well, and Septic Permits will be applicable from Permit Sonoma which may include the Groundwater Well Monitoring Covenant and Easement Fillable Form and Instructions for completing Groundwater Easement Form. A fire review and inspection will be required to review all cannabis cultivation applications to ensure that structures meet certain criteria. The Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures will inspect all cultivation sites, whether the operator’s permit is issued by Permit Sonoma or the Department of Agriculture. The following Cultivation and Nursery Permits are available: Indoor and Mixed Light Zoning Permits Permit Sonoma issues indoor and mixed light zoning permits. Application: Cannabis Cultivation Permit Application PJR-123 Outdoor Zoning Permits – Up to and Including 10,000 Square Feet The Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures issues outdoor cottage permits in the agricultural zones (Land Intensive Agriculture or LIA, Land Extensive Agriculture or LEA, and Diverse Agriculture or DA) and outdoor grows up to 10,000 square feet in the LEA and DA. Zoning permits are ministerial and will be issued once it can be verified that the operation meets all the standards within the ordinance. See Cannabis Permits from Agriculture, Weights & Measures Outdoor Use Permits – 10,001 Square Feet or More A use permit is a discretionary permit and Permit Sonoma will review each application and condition on a case-by-case basis. Each permit is subject to public notification and environmental review. A minor use permit may be approved administratively without a public hearing if one is not requested by the public. Application: Cannabis Cultivation Permit Application PJR-123 (PDF: 235 kB) Review the Sonoma County Cultivation Site and Nursery Site for additional details. Cultivation centers must also take into consideration the following requirements: Site Development Criteria
Pre-Operational Requirements
Dispensaries The County has been issuing land use permits for dispensaries since 2007. No more than 9 medical cannabis dispensaries can be permitted within the unincorporated county at any one time. There are currently 5 dispensaries in operation and 3 applications are pending. Dispensaries are medical only and can only sell cannabis and related products to patients with a valid medical recommendation. Delivery operations must be connected to a brick and mortar dispensary. Cannabis dispensaries are allowed in the urban commercial zones (C1, C2, and LC) and will require a use permit from Permit Sonoma. A use permit is a discretionary permit and each application is reviewed and conditioned on a case-by-case basis. Each permit is subject to public notification and environmental review. Application: Cannabis Supply Chain Business Use Permit Application PJR-124 Visit the Sonoma County Website for more information regarding the application process for dispensaries. Distribution and Transportation Cannabis distributors and transporters are allowed in most industrial zones (MP, M1, and M2) and will require a minor use permit from Permit Sonoma. A use permit is a discretionary permit and each application is reviewed and conditioned on a case-by-case basis. Each permit is subject to public notification and environmental review. A minor use permit may be approved administratively without a public hearing if one is not requested by the public. Fire and Emergency Services will review all distribution and transportation permit applications to ensure compliance. Applications can be found here: Cannabis Supply Chain Business Use Permit Application PJR-124 Manufacturing Applicants who are interested in operating a cannabis manufacturer will require a Cannabis Land Use Permit. Cannabis manufacturers are allowed in the industrial zones (MP, M1, M2, and M3) and will require a minor use permit from Permit Sonoma. A use permit is a discretionary permit and each application is reviewed and conditioned on a case-by-case basis. Each permit is subject to public notification and environmental review. A minor use permit may be approved administratively without a public hearing if one is not requested by the public. As required, Building, Well, and Septic Permits required. Fire and Emergency Services will review all manufacturing permit applications to ensure compliance. Applications can be found here: Cannabis Supply Chain Business Use Permit Application PJR-124. Edible manufacturing businesses will require a permit from the Department of Health Services which can be found here: Permit for Edible Medical Cannabis Product Manufacturing Site. Testing Labs Those interested in operating a cannabis testing lab will be required to obtain a Cannabis Land Use Permit from Permit Sonoma to operate in the industrial zones (MP, M1, M2, and M3) and a conditional use permit to operate in certain commercial zones (C3 and LC). A use permit is a discretionary permit and each application is reviewed and conditioned on a case-by-case basis. Each permit is subject to public notification and environmental review. A minor use permit may be approved administratively without a public hearing if one is not requested by the public. Fire and Emergency Services will review all distribution and transportation permit applications to ensure compliance. More information can be found in the Test Lab Section on Sonoma County Site. |
