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The following general operating requirements are applicable to all cannabis businesses. In addition, requirements specific to each cannabis business subtype are separately set forth in this chapter.

A. Dual Licensing. The City recognizes that State law requires dual licensing at the State and local level for all cannabis businesses. Cannabis operators shall therefore be required to diligently pursue and obtain a State medical cannabis or cannabis license at such time as the State begins issuing such licenses, and shall comply at all times with all applicable State licensing requirements and conditions, including, but not limited to, operational standards such as, by way of illustration but not limitation, background checks, prior felony convictions, restrictions on multiple licenses and license types, and locational criteria.

1. New Operators. Cannabis businesses which have received land use permit approval pursuant to this chapter after the State begins issuing State licenses and after the 10-month transition period noted in this subsection A shall not be allowed to commence operations until the cannabis business can demonstrate that all necessary State licenses and agency permits have been obtained in compliance with any deadlines established by the State.

2. Existing Permitted Operators. Cannabis businesses which have received land use permit approval prior to the adoption of this chapter shall be required to comply with all operational requirements set forth in this chapter.

3. Grounds for Revocation. Once State licenses and agency permits become available, failure to demonstrate dual licensing in accordance with this chapter and within any deadlines established by State law shall be grounds for revocation of City approval. Revocation of a local permit and/or a State license shall terminate the ability of the cannabis business to operate until a new permit and/or State license is obtained.

B. Minors.

1. It is unlawful for any cannabis operator to employ any person who is not at least 21 years of age, unless otherwise allowed for through State law.

2. Cannabis businesses (medical) shall only allow on the premises a person who is 21 years of age or older, unless they are a qualified patient or primary caregiver, and they are in the presence of their parent or guardian for the first visit, or are of age to legally consent to medical treatment.

a. The entrance to a cannabis business (medical) shall be clearly and legibly posted with a notice indicating that persons under the age of 21 are precluded from entering the premises unless they are a qualified patient or primary caregiver, and they are in the presence of their parent or guardian for the first visit or are of age to legally consent to medical treatment.

3. Cannabis businesses (adult use) shall only allow on the premises a person who is 21 years of age or older and who possesses a valid government-issued photo identification card.

a. The entrance to a cannabis business (adult use) shall be clearly and legibly posted with a notice indicating that persons under the age of 21 are precluded from entering the premises.

C. Inventory and Tracking. Cannabis operators shall at all times operate in a manner to prevent diversion of cannabis and shall promptly comply with any track and trace program established by the State.

D. Multiple Permits per Site. Multiple cannabis businesses proposed on any one site or parcel shall be granted permit approval only if all of the proposed cannabis businesses and their co-location are authorized by both local and State law. Cannabis operators issued permits for multiple license types at the same physical address shall maintain clear separation between license types unless otherwise authorized by local and State law.

E. Building and Fire Permits. Cannabis operators shall meet the following requirements prior to commencing operations:

1. The cannabis operator shall obtain a building permit to confirm with the appropriate occupancy classification and compliance with SMC Title 15.

2. The cannabis operator shall obtain all annual operating fire permits with inspections prior to operation.

3. The cannabis operator shall comply with all applicable health and social care and fire code requirements related to the storage, use and handling of hazardous materials and the generation of hazardous waste. Cannabis operators shall also obtain all required Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) permits including completing a California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) submission for hazardous materials inventory that meet or exceed State thresholds and any waste generation for accountability.

4. Access with a Fire Department lock box for keys to gates and doors shall be provided.

F. Transfer of Ownership or Operator. A permittee shall not transfer ownership or operational control of a cannabis business or transfer a permit for a cannabis business to another person unless and until the transferee obtains an administrative permit from the Planning Department verifying compliance with requirements of this chapter and stating that the transferee is now the permittee. The administrative approval clearance shall commit the transferee to compliance with all conditions of the original permit.

G. Security. Cannabis businesses shall provide adequate security on the premises, including lighting and alarms, to ensure the public safety and the safety of persons within the facility and to protect the premises from theft. Applications for a cannabis business shall include a security plan that includes the following minimum security plan requirements:

1. Security Cameras. Security surveillance video cameras shall be installed and maintained in good working order to provide coverage on a 24-hour basis of all internal and exterior areas where cannabis is cultivated, weighed, manufactured, packaged, stored, transferred, and dispensed. The security surveillance cameras shall be oriented in a manner that provides clear and certain identification of all individuals within those areas. Cameras shall remain active at all times and shall be capable of operating under any lighting condition. Security video must use standard industry format to support criminal investigations and shall be maintained for a minimum of 60 days.

2. Alarm System. A professionally monitored robbery alarm system shall be installed and maintained in good working condition. The alarm system shall include sensors to detect entry and exit from all secure areas and all windows. Cannabis operators shall keep the name and contact information of the alarm system installation and monitoring company as part of the cannabis business’s on-site books and records. Cannabis operators shall identify a local site contact person who will be responsible for the use and shall provide and keep current full contact information to the Sebastopol Police Department as part of the permitting process.

3. Secure Storage and Waste. Cannabis products and associated product waste shall be stored and secured in a manner that prevents diversion, theft, loss, hazards and nuisance.

4. Transportation. Cannabis businesses shall implement procedures for safe and secure transportation and delivery of cannabis, or cannabis products and currency in accordance with State law.

5. Locks. All points of ingress and egress to a cannabis business shall be secured with building code compliant commercial-grade, nonresidential door locks or window locks.

6. Emergency Access. Security measures shall be designed to ensure emergency access in compliance with fire code and Sebastopol Fire Department standards.

H. Odor Control. Cannabis businesses shall incorporate and maintain adequate odor control measures such that the odors of cannabis cannot be readily detected from outside of the structure in which the business operates. Applications for cannabis businesses, except for those which only deal with packaged cannabis and have no on-site consumption, shall include an odor mitigation plan certified by a licensed professional engineer or industrial hygienist that includes the following:

1. Operational processes and maintenance plan, including activities undertaken to ensure the odor mitigation system remains functional;

2. Staff training procedures; and

3. Engineering controls, which may include carbon filtration or other methods of air cleansing, and evidence that such controls are sufficient to effectively mitigate odors from all odor sources. All odor mitigation systems and plans submitted pursuant to this subsection shall be consistent with accepted and best available industry-specific technologies designed to effectively mitigate cannabis odors.

I. Lighting. Interior and exterior lighting shall utilize best management practices and technologies for reducing glare, light pollution, and light trespass onto adjacent properties and the following standards:

1. Exterior lighting systems shall be provided for security purposes in a manner sufficient to provide illumination and clear visibility to all outdoor areas of the premises, including all points of ingress and egress. Exterior lighting shall be stationary, shielded, directed away from adjacent properties and public rights-of-way, and of an intensity compatible with the neighborhood. All exterior lighting shall be building code compliant.

2. Interior light systems shall be shielded to appropriately limit exterior glare to surrounding properties.

J. Noise. Use of air conditioning and ventilation equipment shall comply with Chapter 8.25 SMC (Noise Control Ordinance). The use of generators is prohibited, except as short-term temporary emergency back-up systems.

K. Staff Training.

1. All cannabis businesses shall implement a staff training program. Required training shall be provided to all new employees, and annual employee training shall also be conducted. Records of such training shall be maintained and provided to the Police Department upon request. Such program shall include the following minimum elements:

a. Applicable State laws and regulations.

b. Applicable City laws, regulations, and conditions of approval.

c. Applicable Sonoma County Health Services laws and regulations.

d. Information concerning civil, criminal and administrative liability.

e. Procedures for preventing and refusing access, sales, and service to minors and obviously intoxicated patrons.

f. Procedures for checking legally acceptable forms of identification.

g. Safety and security procedures.

h. Incident reporting, law enforcement liaison policies.

i. Good neighbor policies.

2. At the time a planning application is made for any new cannabis businesses, the applicant shall provide a proposed staff training program, complying with subsection (K)(1) of this section, for the review and approval of the Police Department. Police Department acceptance of the training program is required prior to issuance of a planning approval for a new business. If not previously provided, existing cannabis businesses shall provide such program for Police Department review within 30 days from any permit modification. (Ord. 1147 §2 (Exh. A), 2023)