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Instructions & Forms

Cannabis Program Zoning and Use Permits

On December 9, 2025, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors certified the Environmental Impact Report for the Cannabis Program and approved changes to the Zoning Code, which updated permit requirements and regulations pertaining to cannabis related uses. For additional information and Public Hearing documents associated with the Cannabis Program Update, please see the Cannabis Program Update and Environmental Impact Report webpage.

The Cannabis Site Evaluation map viewer is available to assist with the preparation and submittal of cannabis applications.

ATTENTION: A Cannabis Business License, issued by the County Executive’s Office, is required for all cannabis operations and is specific to the location and business for which it is issued. See the Cannabis Business License webpage for more information.

Cannabis Zoning Code Update

As of July 1, 2026, the following updates to County Code Chapter 26 (Zoning Regulations) governing cannabis uses will be in effect:

Use Permits are required for the following cannabis uses in the unincorporated County:

  • Cultivation and accessory uses in the Agricultural (LIA- Land Intensive Agriculture, LEA-Land Extensive Agriculture and DA-Diverse Agriculture) and Resource (RRD- Resources & Rural Development) Zoning Districts
  • Centralized Processing in the Agricultural (LIA- Land Intensive Agriculture, LEA-Land Extensive Agriculture and DA-Diverse Agriculture) Zoning Districts
  • Cannabis Visitor Serving Activities (i.e., cannabis events) in the Agricultural and Resource Zoning Districts
  • Cultivation in the Industrial (MP-Industrial Park, M1-Limited Urban Industrial, M2-Heavy Industrial and M3-Limited Rural Industrial) Zoning Districts when the site is not served by public sewer or water
  • Consumption lounges with amplified live music (associated with a Storefront Retail operation) in the following Commercial Zoning Districts (C1-Neighborhood Commercial, C2-Retail Business and Service, C3-General Commercial and LC-Limited Commercial)
  • Testing laboratories in the General Commercial (C3) Zoning District

The following uses are principally permitted (allowed by right), subject to any standards required by the Zoning Code, and do not require a land use entitlement from Permit Sonoma in the unincorporated County. These uses will require an annual Cannabis Business License issued by the County Executive’s Office.

  • Cultivation and accessory uses in the Industrial (MP-Industrial Park, M1-Limited Urban Industrial, M2-Heavy Industrial and M3-Limited Rural Industrial) Zoning Districts, if served by public sewer and water
  • Testing laboratories in the Industrial (MP-Industrial Park, M1-Limited Urban Industrial, M2-Heavy Industrial and M3-Limited Rural Industrial) Zoning Districts
  • Storefront Retail (i.e., dispensaries) in the following Commercial (C1-Neighborhood Commercial, C2-Retail Business and Service, C3-General Commercial and LC-Limited Commercial) Zoning Districts
  • Centralized Processing in the Industrial (MP-Industrial Park, M1-Limited Urban Industrial, M2-Heavy Industrial and M3-Limited Rural Industrial) Zoning Districts and the General Commercial (C3) Zoning District
  • Distribution (including non-storefront retail) in the Industrial (MP-Industrial Park, M1-Limited Urban Industrial, M2-Heavy Industrial and M3-Limited Rural Industrial) Zoning Districts and the General Commercial (C3) Zoning District
  • Manufacturing in the Industrial (MP-Industrial Park, M1-Limited Urban Industrial, M2-Heavy Industrial and M3-Limited Rural Industrial) Zoning Districts and the General Commercial (C3) Zoning District

Personal Cultivation

  • Personal cultivation (up to 6 plants accessory to a residential dwelling unit) is exempt from permit and license requirements in all zoning districts, subject to standards required by Zoning Code Sec. 26-18-125(C)(5)

If you are unsure of what your zoning is, please consult Permit Sonoma’s Official Zoning Database.

The Cannabis Site Evaluation map viewer is available to assist with the preparation and submittal of cannabis applications.

Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures – Best Management Practices

Best Management Practices (BMPs) issued by the Department of Agriculture apply to cannabis cultivation, including personal cultivation. BMPs are designed for in-ground cultivation but are also applied to container-grown cannabis, as applicable. The BMPs related to water quality apply to all cultivators not required to enroll in the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board Waste Discharge Program for cannabis.

Permit Resources

Zoning Ordinances

Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Documents

Application Forms 

Applications for cannabis uses must be submitted electronically via email. See the Instructions for Applying Via Email webpage, also linked above under Permit Resources.

Past Events

For information on the past ordinance update process, please see the Cannabis Program Update webpage.