On November 28, 2017, the Santa Cruz City Council adopted Cannabis Regulations to allow for commercial cannabis uses: retail sales, cultivation, manufacturing, and warehouse/distribution. Under this ordinance, the City will allow five (5) retail outlets in industrial and limited commercial zones. Commercial cultivation is limited to 10,000 square feet of indoor growth in industrial zones. Manufacturing and distribution are also allowed in industrial zones. All commercial cannabis uses require the approval of an administrative use permit at a public hearing and retail uses also require a cannabis retailer license. 

View a flowchart of the permitting process for the allowed commercial uses. 

Application Period Open for Cannabis Retailer License

The City is accepting applications for the five retail outlets from December 5 through December 14. Information about the application process can be found here. 

Cannabis Retailers are restricted to operate only in certain areas of the City. Check out the City GIS map to find the restricted areas for cannabis and the required buffers for current dispensaries: Cannabis Ordinance Restricted Area Interactive Map

Interested in Opening a Non-Retail Cannabis Business? 

Find information about the Cannabis Ordinance and the permits needed to start a cannabis business in the City of Santa Cruz on the Planning Department's Cannabis License & Regulations website. 

If you would like more information please contact Michael Ferry (831) 420-5118 [email protected] or Katherine Donovan (831) 420-5134 [email protected] in the Planning Department.