Indio, CA Cannabis Regulations: Buffer Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- School/park buffer
- 600 feet minimum
- Church buffer (residential zone)
- 250 feet minimum
- Measured
- Property line to property line
- Applies to
- Storefront and delivery retailers
Summary
Indio requires cannabis retailers to locate at least 600 feet from sensitive uses like schools and daycares, and 250 feet from any church in a residential zone.
Shall be no closer than 600 feet from any zoned parcel in the city designated as a sensitive use under division (B) (2)of this section or 250 feet from any church located in a residential zone, that is in existence at the time the permit is issued. The distance shall be determined by the horizontal distance measured in a straight line from the closest property line of the sensitive use to the closest property line of the lot on which the cannabis business is to be located, without regard to intervening structures.
(2) Sensitive uses include:
(a) A school providing instruction in kindergarten or any grades 1 through 12, (whether public, private, or charter, including pre-school, transitional kindergarten, and K-12).
(b) A commercial daycare center licensed by the state, county or city.
(c) A youth center.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4796010; v13 updated 2026-02-04; through 02-04-2026).
Full Breakdown
Indio Municipal Code § 123.32(B) sets the buffer for every cannabis business: a minimum of 600 feet from any parcel designated a sensitive use, schools serving kindergarten through grade 12, licensed daycare centers, and youth centers, and a minimum of 250 feet from any church located in a residential zone that existed when the permit issued. Distance is measured as a straight horizontal line between the closest property lines, ignoring intervening buildings. The Unified Development Code repeats the same 600-foot and 250-foot figures at UDC § 4.07.04 for storefront and delivery-only retailers.
Violations & Fines
A cannabis business sited inside a required buffer is ineligible for a Cannabis Business Permit and cannot lawfully open; existing permits can be revoked for concealed violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must a cannabis shop be from a school in Indio?
Does the church buffer apply everywhere?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indio
California rules heatmap·Compare Indio to another location·View the California cannabis regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Buffer Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle buffer zones.