In September 2017, the Brisbane City Council adopted
Ordinance 617, adding
Chapter 17.33 to the Brisbane Municipal Code to regulate certain types of medicinal and non-medicinal cannabis businesses in the City’s commercial zoning districts. In April 2018, the City Council adopted
Ordinance 625 to eliminate the prohibition of cannabis-related businesses within 600 feet of a school or daycare, effective May 5, 2018. On
December 6, 2018, the City Council adopted
Ordinance 632 to extend the permitted operating hours for cannabis businesses (effective January 6, 2019).
Latest News
Questions about the permitting process for cannabis businesses may be directed to the Community Development Department at (415) 508-2120 or
planning@brisbaneca.org.
"Where and How Can I Establish My Cannabis Business?"
The Ordinance allows cannabis warehousing/distribution, manufacturing, delivery-only retail, and lab testing with the approval of a
Use Permit in the Crocker Industrial Park (
TC-1 District), and lab testing in the Southwest Bayshore area (
SCRO-1 District) with the approval of a Use Permit. Cannabis lab testing is allowed by right (no Use Permit required) in Sierra Point (
SP-CRO District). Commercial cultivation of cannabis is not allowed anywhere in Brisbane. The Planning Commission is currently considering draft regulations to allow no more than four (4) storefront retail cannabis businesses in Brisbane subject to conditional use permit approval. (See "Latest News" above for current information on these zoning text amendments).
Click on the below image of the City's Zoning Map to view zoning district locations.
Required Permits
- Use Permit: A Use Permit is required for cannabis distribution/warehousing, manufacturing, delivery-only retail, and lab testing uses in the TC-1 District, and for testing laboratories in the SCRO-1 District. To apply for a Use Permit, a physical business premise and permission from the property owner to apply for the Use Permit is required. The Use Permit application (select "Conditional Uses per District Regulations" checklist) and supplemental Cannabis Business Compliance Checklist are required, both of which are available on the Planning Permit Applications page.
- Building Permit: A building permit is required for any physical improvements or modifications to the building that your business may require. If your business does not require a conditional use permit, you must provide a completed Cannabis Business Compliance Checklist with your building permit application.
- Business License: Prior to operating in Brisbane, all cannabis businesses must obtain a business license. If your business does not require a conditional use permit or a building permit in order for you to occupy the business premise, a completed Cannabis Business Compliance Checklist must be submitted with your business license application.
- At this time there is no cap or limit on the types or number of Use Permits or business licenses issued for cannabis businesses in Brisbane. The Planning Commission is currently considering draft regulations for storefront retail cannabis businesses that would be capped at no more than four (4) such businesses in Brisbane. These regulations are currently under consideration and have not been adopted. See "Latest News" above for current information.