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Commercial Cannabis Uses
The City of Grover Beach has taken the lead in San Luis Obispo County in allowing both adult (recreational) and medical commercial cannabis uses in a safe and responsible manner. The City Council has identified the commercial cannabis industry as an economic development opportunity in its Economic Development Strategy and City Council Goals for fiscal year 2018-19. Beginning in 2016, the City Council held numerous public meetings that culminated in the adoption of the City's commercial cannabis ordinances in May 2017. Since then the Council has made several amendments to the ordinances, including allowing adult use in May 2018. The City has developed this cannabis webpage to provide potential cannabis businesses along with the general public with a guide to the allowable uses and locations within the city, current ordinances, permit application process, and the City's adopted cannabis tax structure. As of April 2021, the City has approved 27 cannabis businesses with 12 businesses currently operating and several additional businesses currently in the building process.
Commercial Cannabis Uses Allowed
The City allows adult and medical uses for manufacturing (volatile and non-volatile), distribution, cultivation within an enclosed building, testing laboratories and retail uses. There is no limitation on the number or type of uses except for retail uses, which are limited to four businesses. The Council has approved the four retailer permits; therefore, the City is currently not accepting applications for retail uses, with or without storefronts (i.e., mobile deliveries).
Commercial Cannabis Ordinances
The City has both a Land Use and a Regulatory Ordinance to implement commercial cannabis uses. The Land Use Ordinance (PDF) contains the regulations on the allowed locations, minimum setback and development standards which are contained in GBMC Article IX Development Code. The Regulatory Ordinance (PDF) contains the regulations on licensing, permitting, security requirements, and operational requirements which are contained in GBMC Article III, Chapter 18.
Commercial Cannabis Uses Zoning
The City allows commercial cannabis uses in three zones: Industrial (I), Coastal Industrial (CI), and the Coastal Industrial Commercial (CIC) as shown on the City's Zoning Map (PDF). There are minimum setback requirements which can be found in Grover Beach Municipal Code (GBMC) Article IX Development Code, Section 4.10.045.F (PDF).
Commercial Cannabis Tax
In November 2016, voters approved Measure L-16 establishing a maximum tax rate for the City's commercial cannabis tax. In May 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution 18-40 (PDF) which set the City's initial commercial cannabis tax rates. On December 13, 2021 City Council adopted Resolution 21-38 (PDF) making amendments to the City's commercial cannabis tax rates. The current cannabis tax rates are as follows:
- 5% for retail businesses
- 2% for distribution businesses on sales up to $10 million with sales over $10 million reduced to 1%
- 3% for manufacturing businesses on sales up to $10 million with sales over $10 million reduced to 2%
- 1% for testing laboratory businesses
- $5 per square foot annually for cultivation businesses
Commercial Cannabis Permit Application Process
All commercial cannabis uses require approval of a Use Permit (land use permit) and a Commercial Cannabis Permit (regulatory permit) in addition to a State permit in order to operate in the city. An applicant may process the Use Permit and Commercial Cannabis Permit concurrently as shown on the Cannabis Development Review Process Flowchart, listed below. There is no limit on the number of applications the City will accept for commercial cannabis manufacturing, distribution, cultivation, and testing laboratory uses.
The Use Permit Application forms and submittal requirement checklists are as follows:
- Development Application Form (PDF)
- Authorized Agent Form (PDF), if applicable
- Commercial Cannabis Indemnification Agreement Form (PDF)
- Development Permit & Use Permit Submittal Checklist – with Improvements (PDF)
- Cannabis Use Permit Submittal Checklist (PDF)
- Cannabis Development Review Process Flowchart (PDF)
- Environmental Information Form (PDF)
The Commercial Cannabis Permit Application forms and submittal requirement checklists are as follows:
- Commercial Cannabis Permit Application Form (PDF)
- Commercial Cannabis Permit Submittal Checklist (PDF)
- Commercial Cannabis New Permit Submittal Checklist (PDF)
- Commercial Cannabis Renewal of Existing Permit Submittal Checklist (PDF)
- Commercial Cannabis Employee/Owner Background Information Form (PDF)
The cost of processing a Use Permit and Commercial Cannabis Permit concurrently can vary based on the size and complexity of the proposed project. The City requires a deposit be submitted with the application which is an estimate based on the typical amount of staff time and other costs required to process an application. In the event the deposit is not sufficient to reimburse the City for processing the application, the applicant shall provide additional deposits to the City to complete the processing of the application. The current application deposit is $6,000 for a project within an existing building and $10,000 for a project that proposes constructing a new building. Further information about this deposit is included within the Development Application Form listed above.
Commercial Cannabis Permits Approved by the City Manager
The City Manager has approved the following Commercial Cannabis Permits, click here to view them.
Fire and Life Safety Requirements
The City Council has adopted Fire and Life Safety Requirements for commercial cannabis uses which require added fire and life safety requirements beyond the City's adopted California Building Codes for volatile and non-volatile manufacturing uses, cultivation, and testing labs. This will require the applicant to hire a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) to prepare a report and certify the commercial cannabis business has implemented the recommendations of the CIH. The Five Cities Fire Authority is responsible for overseeing the implementation of these requirements.
Commercial Cannabis Building Permit Process
Typically once an applicant has obtained approval of a Use Permit, the applicant can proceed with submitting a building permit application to construct a building or tenant improvements. However, the City does allow applicants to proceed with the building plan check process prior to a Use Permit approval at their own risk. Below are the forms and submittal requirement checklists for submitting a building permit application. Note that some may not be applicable to your project.
- Building Permit Process Flowchart (PDF)
- Building Permit Application (PDF)
- Construction Waste Management Plan (PDF)
- Owner Builder Information (PDF)
- Owner Builder Informational Brochure (PDF)
- Sub-Contractor's List (PDF)
- Water Conserving Plumbing Fixtures Affidavit (PDF)
- Demolition Checklist (PDF)
- Curb, Gutter, and Sidewalk Checklist (PDF)
- Major Building Permit Checklist (PDF)
- Grading and Drainage Checklist (PDF)
- Development & Construction Stormwater Requirements (PDF)
- Fire & Life Safety Requirements (PDF)
State of California Licensing
In order to operate in the City, an applicant must obtain all City permits as well as the appropriate State License. Here is the link to the Bureau of Cannabis Control and CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing websites for more information about the State licensing process.
Mobile Deliveries in the City from Retailers Not Located in the City
The City allows legally licensed mobile delivery services from retailers not based in the city subject to issuance of a Business Tax Certificate. An applicant must provide a copy of the State and local cannabis licenses to demonstrate that the mobile delivery business can legally operate within the city.
Other Agencies Which May Require a Permit to Operate a Commercial Cannabis Business
Prior to commencing operations, there may be other local agencies that require a permit for commercial cannabis uses. The following are several agencies that other applicants have been required to obtain a permit from depending on the type of use.
- Air Pollution Control District San Luis Obispo County
- Environmental Health, San Luis Obispo County
- Water Board, Central Coast Region
- Weights and Measures, Department of Agriculture
For Additional Information or Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- Please see our: FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions on Commercial Cannabis in Grover Beach
- Please contact the staff member or department as indicated below:
Subject | Staff Member or Department | Phone and/or email |
---|---|---|
Application Process | Rafael Castillo, Senior Planner Community Development Department | (805) 473-4528 or send an email |
Building Code Requirements | Rafael Castillo, Senior Planner Community Development Department | (805) 473-4528 or send an email |
Fire & Life Safety | Five Cities Fire Authority | (805) 473-5490 or send an email |
Live Scan and Background Checks | Kelly Cook, Detective Police Department | (805) 473-4516 or send an email |
Water and Sewer Connections or Street Improvements | Public Works Department | (805) 473-4530 or send an email |
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