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Cannabis Businesses

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

To sign up for notifications of public meetings on storefront retail cannabis regulations, please email Senior Planner Julia Ayres.
 
  • The City Council is tentatively scheduled to consider the draft regulations as modified by the Planning Commission at a public meeting in February (date to be determined).
  • The Planning Commission considered draft regulations for storefront retail cannabis businesses at a special meeting on Thursday, December 5, 2019. They recommended City Council approval of the draft regulations with the following modifications:
    • A maximum of one business in the NCRO-1 Brisbane Village Neighborhood Commercial District.
    • A maximum of one business in the NCRO-2 Downtown Brisbane Neighborhood Commercial District.
    • Eliminate proposed conditional use for storefront retail cannabis businesses in the SCRO-1 Southwest Bayshore Commercial District.
    • Limit operating hours to 8 AM to 8 PM.
  • On October 24th, the Planning Commission held a second public workshop to discuss storefront retail cannabis business regulations. Meeting video of the workshop is available on the meeting webpage. Click here to access the staff presentation.
  • On July 25th, the Planning Commission held a public workshop to discuss storefront retail cannabis business regulations. Meeting video of the workshop is available on the meeting webpage. Click here to access the staff presentation.
  • The City Council initiated zoning text amendments to the City's existing cannabis business regulations to regulate storefront retail cannabis business at their June 20, 2019 meeting. At their June 6, 2019 meeting, the City Council introduced an ordinance to tax cannabis businesses up to 6 percent of a business' gross receipts. The tax was placed on the November 5, 2019 ballot for confirmation by Brisbane voters. Election results will be adopted by the City Council at a special meeting on December 12, 2019.
 
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.
 
Cannabis Business Flow Chart