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Suffolk County, NY Cannabis Regulations: Buffer Zones (2026)

Heavy Restrictions

Verified 1 week ago|Source: NY Cannabis Law →

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Key Facts

School buffer: 500 feet
House of worship: 200 feet
Regulator: NY OCM
Local layer: Town zoning

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Suffolk County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Summary

Under New York Cannabis Law and Office of Cannabis Management rules, retail dispensaries must keep minimum distances from schools and houses of worship. Suffolk-area towns can layer additional buffers within OCM limits.

Full Breakdown

New York Cannabis Law (2021) and OCM regulations set baseline buffer rules: a licensed adult-use retail dispensary cannot be located within 500 feet of school grounds (200 feet within New York City) or within 200 feet of a house of worship, measured from entrance to entrance. Suffolk County opted in to retail dispensaries, but each town that did not opt out controls local zoning. Towns including Brookhaven, Smithtown, and Babylon have adopted additional setbacks from parks, playgrounds, and other dispensaries within the limits OCM allows. Applicants must show proof of compliance with both state and local buffer rules during the OCM and town site plan process.

Violations & Fines

Operating within prohibited buffers, opening without OCM license, or violating local site plan conditions can lead to OCM enforcement, license revocation, and town zoning penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far must a Suffolk dispensary be from a school?

Under New York Cannabis Law, a retail dispensary must be at least 500 feet from school grounds, measured entrance to entrance, plus any additional town buffer.

Can a town add buffers beyond the state rule?

Yes, within OCM-authorized limits. Several Suffolk towns add buffers from parks, residential zones, or other dispensaries through site plan and zoning rules.

How does Suffolk County compare?

See how Suffolk County's buffer zones rules stack up against other locations.

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Suffolk County, NY Cannabis Regulations: Buffer Zones (2026)

Key Facts

Summary

Full Breakdown

Violations & Fines

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & Official References

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