Josephine County, OR Cannabis Regulations: Buffer Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- School/daycare/church buffer
- 1,000 feet, new or relocated retail sites
- Competitor buffer
- 1,000 feet from another marijuana retailer/dispensary
- Plant setback
- 150 feet from dwellings, nonconforming sites only
- Noise limit
- 50 dB(A) at property line during business hours
- Cited state law
- ORS 475C.097(2)(d) and ORS 475C.833(3)(d)
Summary
Unincorporated Josephine County keeps new or relocated marijuana retail and dispensary sites 1,000 feet from any school, daycare or church, and 1,000 feet from any other marijuana retailer, under Josephine County Code § 19.99B.040(B). Nonconforming marijuana production sites must also keep their plants at least 150 feet from dwellings on neighboring lots under § 19.99B.050(E).
B. New and relocated marijuana retailer or dispensary sites shall not be established within: 1. 1,000 feet of any school, as provided in ORS 475C.097(2)(d) and ORS 475C.833(3)(d), daycare, or church. 2. 1,000 feet of any other marijuana retailer or dispensary site. ... ... E. Nonconforming Marijuana Business Standards. The following standards shall apply to all nonconforming marijuana business sites, in addition to other applicable standards for development under this section and title: 1. Setbacks. All marijuana plants shall be a minimum of 150 feet from the appurtenances of all dwellings on contiguous lots or parcels, as measured from the edge of the canopy of the marijuana plants.
Full Breakdown
833(3)(d)), daycare, or church, and within 1,000 feet of any other marijuana retailer or dispensary site. 040(A), which limits the county to one marijuana retail or production site per 7,500 residents age 21 or older and one wholesale or processing site per 12,500 such residents; a new compliance certificate cannot issue once a category's cap is reached. the rest of the year, except for residents, guests and guarding employees) and a 50 dB(A) mechanical noise limit measured at the property line. 020. The Planning Director enforces the buffer and setback standards as part of reviewing and renewing marijuana compliance certificates and revoking any certificate or LUCS found out of compliance.
Violations & Fines
A retail or dispensary site sited inside the 1,000-foot school, daycare, church or competitor buffer, or a nonconforming production site whose plants sit closer than 150 feet to a neighboring dwelling, is out of compliance under §§ 19.99B.040 and 19.99B.050 and can have its marijuana compliance certificate denied or revoked and its Land Use Compatibility Statement revoked under § 19.99B.030(A), with notice, a right to a hearing, and appeal to the Land Use Board of Appeals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must a new marijuana dispensary be from a school in Josephine County?
Does the 150-foot plant setback apply to every marijuana grow site?
Can two marijuana retailers operate next door to each other in Josephine County?
What happens if a marijuana business does not meet these buffer or setback standards?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Josephine County
Compare Josephine County to another location·View the Oregon cannabis regulations overview
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