San Mateo County, CA Cannabis Regulations: Buffer Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- School/day care buffer
- 600 feet
- Residential-land buffer
- 600 feet
- Measured
- property line to property line
- Scope
- unincorporated area only
Summary
Licensed cannabis cultivation sites in unincorporated San Mateo County must sit at least 600 feet from schools, day cares, youth centers and playgrounds.
All Premises shall also be setback a minimum of 600 feet from any school providing education to K-12 grades, licensed day care center, youth center or playground as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 11353.1, and alcohol or drug treatment facility as defined by California Health and Safety Code Section 11834.02 in existence at the time the License is issued. The 600-foot distance from these facilities shall be measured in a straight line from the closest property line of the protected site to the closest property line of the parcel with the Cultivation. In addition, all Premises, except for those operating exclusively a Type 4 Nursery License, shall be setback a minimum of 600 feet from any properties designated for residential use by the San Mateo County General Plan or any local general plan adopted prior to January 1, 2018. The 600-foot distance from residentially designated lands shall be measured from the edge of the nearest property line with a residential land use designation to the exterior wall of the proposed cultivation structure.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47).
Full Breakdown
County Code Section 5.148.160(e) requires all cannabis cultivation premises to be set back a minimum of 600 feet from any K-12 school, licensed day care center, youth center, playground, or drug/alcohol treatment facility existing when the license issues, measured property line to property line. A separate 600-foot setback also applies from land designated residential on the General Plan.
Violations & Fines
Failing to meet the required setback is grounds for denial of a County cannabis License application under the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 600-foot buffer apply to cannabis businesses inside cities?
What counts as a protected use?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California cannabis regulations overview
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