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– Type 1: Medical cannabis retail (dispensary).

– Type 2: Adult use cannabis retail (dispensary).

– Type 3: Cannabis retail delivery (office-only for medical or adult use).

In addition to the general operating requirements set forth in this chapter, this section provides location and operating requirements for medical cannabis retail (dispensary), adult use cannabis retail (dispensary) and retail delivery (office-only for medical or adult use).

A. Conditional Use. A conditional use permit shall be required to operate cannabis retail Types 1 and 2 above in accordance with the tables in SMC 17.360.060.

B. Delivery Services. In addition to the requirements established in this chapter for cannabis retail Types 1, 2, and 3, the delivery of cannabis and cannabis products shall be subject to the following requirements:

1. Commercial delivery at locations outside a permitted cannabis retail facility may be specifically permitted in conjunction with a permitted cannabis retail facility that has a physical location in the City.

2. A cannabis retail facility, office-only (Type 3), that has a physical location in the City may also conduct sales exclusively by delivery, and shall have no on-site retail sales to customers.

3. Applications for any cannabis retail type shall include a statement as to whether the use will include delivery of cannabis and cannabis products located outside the cannabis retail facility.

4. If delivery services will be provided, the application shall describe the operational plan and specific extent of such service, security protocols, and how the delivery services will comply with the requirements set forth in this chapter and State law.

C. Drive-Through Services. Drive-through or walk-up window services in conjunction with cannabis retail Types 1, 2, and 3 are prohibited.

D. Location Requirements. Cannabis retail shall be subject to the following location requirements:

1. No more than two Type 1, two Type 2, and three Type 3 cannabis retail establishments are permitted in the City. Type 2 cannabis retail may only occur at an existing Type 1 medical cannabis retail establishment that has obtained and maintained a valid conditional use permit, provided such establishment meets the following requirements: comply with all requirements set forth in this chapter; and obtain State licenses for both medical and adult use commercial sales.

a. Such existing establishments are not required to obtain a new conditional use permit for Type 2 retail sales.

b. To the extent that such existing establishments have conditional use permits that have conditions in conflict with this chapter, the provisions of this chapter shall prevail.

c. To the extent that such existing establishments have conditions limiting square footage, the Planning Director may approve up to a 10 percent increase in square footage; any greater increase, or a relocation of the facility, shall require conditional use permit approval.

d. Subject to any State permitting, Types 1, 2, and 3 establishments may engage in both medical and nonmedical cannabis sales.

2. Setback From Schools. Cannabis retail, all types, shall be subject to a 600-foot minimum setback from any “school,” as defined by the Health and Safety Code Section 11362.768.

3. Measurement of Distance. The distance between cannabis retail, all types, and a school shall be made in a straight line from the boundary line of the property on which the cannabis retail is located to the closest boundary line of the property on which a school is located.

4. Location of a New School After Permit Issued. Establishment of a school within the required setback of a cannabis retail, all types, facility after such facility has obtained a conditional use permit for the site shall render the cannabis retail facility legal nonconforming and subject to the protections and provisions of Chapter 17.160 SMC (Nonconforming Uses).

5. Visibility of Entrance. The entrance of a cannabis retail, Types 1 and 2, shall be in a visible location that provides an unobstructed view from the public right-of-way.

E. Edible Products. Cannabis businesses that sell or manufacture edible cannabis products shall obtain a Sonoma County Health permit. Permit holders shall comply with Health and Safety Code Section 13700 et seq. and Sonoma County Health permit requirements. These requirements provide a system of prevention and overlapping safeguards designed to minimize foodborne illness, ensure employee health, demonstrate industry manager knowledge, ensure safe food preparation practices and delineate acceptable levels of sanitation for preparation of edible products.

F. Operational Requirements. In addition to project-specific conditions of approval, cannabis retail shall comply with the following operational requirements:

1. Employees. The cannabis retail operator, all types, shall maintain a current register of the names of all employees employed by the cannabis retailer, and shall disclose such register for inspection by any City officer or official for purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this section.

2. Management. Permit applicants shall be responsible for providing the names of the person or persons having management or supervision responsibility of the applicant’s business at the time of application.

3. Recordkeeping. The cannabis retail operator, all types, shall maintain patient and sales records in accordance with State law.

4. Protocols and Requirements for Patients and Persons Entering the Site. No person shall be permitted to enter a cannabis retail facility, all types, without government issued photo identification. Cannabis businesses shall not provide cannabis or cannabis products to any person, whether by purchase, trade, gift or otherwise, who does not possess a valid government-issued photo identification card.

5. Hours of Operation. Cannabis retail, all types, may operate between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. up to seven days per week unless the review authority imposes more restrictive hours due to the particular circumstances of the application. The basis for any restriction on hours shall be specified in the permit.

6. Secured Access. A cannabis retail, all types, facility shall be designed to prevent unauthorized entrance into areas containing medical cannabis or medical cannabis products. Limited access areas accessible to only authorized personnel shall be established.

7. Secured Products. Cannabis and cannabis products that are not used for display purposes or immediate sale shall be stored in a secured and locked room, safe, or vault, and in a manner reasonably designed to prevent diversion, theft, and loss.

8. Sale and Display of Cannabis Paraphernalia. No dispensary shall sell or display any cannabis-related paraphernalia or any implement that may be used to administer cannabis or cannabis products unless specifically described and authorized in the conditional use permit. The sale of such products must comply with this title and any other applicable State regulations.

9. On-Site Physician Restriction. Establishments engaged in the sale of medical cannabis shall not have an on-site or on staff physician to evaluate patients and provide a recommendation for medical cannabis.

10. Site Management. The cannabis retail operator, all types, shall take reasonable steps to discourage and correct objectionable conditions that constitute a nuisance in parking areas, sidewalks, alleys and areas surrounding the premises and adjacent properties during business hours if directly related to the patrons of the subject retailer. For purposes of this subsection, “reasonable steps” shall include calling the police in a timely manner; and requesting those engaging in nuisance activities to cease those activities, unless personal safety would be threatened in making the request.

11. Advertising and Signs. Regardless of any sign allowances in the sign ordinance, a cannabis retail facility, all types, shall not advertise or market cannabis or cannabis products on an off-site advertising sign within 1,000 feet of a day care center, school providing instruction in kindergarten or any grades one through 12, playground, or youth center.

12. Display of Permit. Cannabis retail, all types, shall maintain a copy of its permit on display during business hours and in a conspicuous place so that the same may be readily seen by all persons entering the facility.

G. On-Site Consumption. In addition to the requirements established in this chapter for cannabis retail, the consumption of cannabis and cannabis products shall be subject to the following requirements:

1. Patients and Customers. Patients of a Type 1 cannabis retail and customers of a Type 2 cannabis retail shall not be permitted to consume cannabis on the site of the facility, except as permitted in accordance with Chapter 8.04 SMC (Use of Tobacco in Public Places – Smoking Control) and State law and as follows:

a. Conditional use permit applications for Type 1 medical cannabis retail or Type 2 adult use cannabis retail shall include a statement as to whether the use is proposed to include on-site consumption by patients or customers of cannabis and cannabis products.

b. If on-site consumption is proposed, the application shall describe the operational plan and specific extent of such provision, security protocols, and how the consumption will comply with the requirements set forth in this chapter and State law.

c. The Planning Commission will determine if the request is appropriate and authorized, as part of acting on the conditional use permit application.

2. Employees. Employees of a cannabis retail facility, all types, who are qualified patients may consume medical cannabis or medical cannabis products on site within designated spaces not visible by members of the public; provided, that such consumption is in compliance with Chapter 8.04 SMC (Use of Tobacco in Public Places – Smoking Control) and State law.

3. Signs Regarding Public Consumption. The entrance to a cannabis retail facility, all types, shall be clearly and legibly posted with a notice indicating that smoking and vaping of cannabis is prohibited on site or in the vicinity of the site except as permitted in accordance with Chapter 8.04 SMC (Use of Tobacco in Public Places – Smoking Control) and State law.

H. Restriction on Ownership. No company or parent company shall simultaneously own or operate more than one Type 1, one Type 2, and one Type 3 facility in the City. (Ord. 1147 §2 (Exh. A), 2023)