Redwood City's Cannabis Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Redwood City maintains 130 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with cannabis regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Redwood City falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Dispensary Zoning

Redwood City bans all commercial cannabis activity except specific licensed uses in industrial and select commercial districts. Storefront retail needs a Cannabis Business Permit plus a use permit in most zones, and cultivation beyond small indoor nurseries is prohibited citywide.

Key details: Governing rule: All commercial cannabis banned unless listed. Nurseries allowed in: IR, LII, IP, GI districts only. Storefront retail permitted: DTTP, MUC, MUN, MUT, MUW, CN, GC, LII. Storefront retail conditional: DTPP, MUT, LII, IR, IP (Use Permit required). Personal cultivation cap: 6 living plants, indoors only.

Violations of Article 59 are enforced through the remedies in Zoning Ordinance Article 50, and Section 59.7 makes each violation and each day of a continuing violation a separate, distinct offense subject to its own penalty. Section 59.8 also declares any use or condition violating the Article a public nuisance, which the City may abate directly through Article 50 procedures.

Compared to other cities, Redwood City takes a harder line on dispensary zoning. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Buffer Zones

Redwood City keeps every commercial cannabis use at least 600 feet from schools, licensed child care facilities, public parks, youth centers and libraries, measured property line to property line, whether the protected use already exists or is only entitled.

Key details: Buffer distance: 600 feet, all protected uses. Protected uses: Schools, child care, parks, youth centers, libraries. Measurement method: Straight line, property line to property line. Counts even if not yet built: Existing or entitled protected uses both count. Family child care homes: Excluded from the buffer requirement.

A cannabis use sited inside the 600-foot buffer is not a permitted use, so it is subject to Article 50's enforcement remedies under Section 59.7, and each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense with its own penalty. Section 59.8 further authorizes the City to declare the noncompliant use a public nuisance and abate it directly.

This is one of the stricter rules in Redwood City's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Redwood City is tougher than many cities when it comes to cannabis regulations. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Redwood City, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Redwood City can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.