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Warren, MI Cannabis Regulations: Buffer Zones (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Buffer from schools
1,000 feet from nearest lot line
Buffer from parks/libraries/religious sites
500 feet from nearest lot line
Permitted zones
M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4 (retail also C-3)
Max fine
$500 municipal civil infraction (Sec. 4G.12)
Banned citywide
Microbusinesses, temporary events, marihuana food trucks
Governing law
Zoning Ordinance Article IV-G, adopted 4-27-21

Summary

Warren restricts marihuana growing, processing, secure-transporter, and retail facilities to M-1 through M-4 industrial zones (retail can also use C-3), and each site must sit at least 500 feet from any residential zone, planned unit development, public library, public park, or tax-exempt religious institution, plus 1,000 feet from any school, measured lot line to lot line, before the city accepts a Municipal License application.

Marihuana Growing, Processing, and Secure Transporter Facilities are permitted in M-1, M-2, M-3, and M-4 zones, if, at the time of Municipal License application submittal, the Establishment/Facility is located: (1)at least 500 feet from the nearest lot line of all of the following:(a)A residential zone, except R-1-P zones;(b)A Planned Unit Development;(c)A public library;(d)A public park; or(e)A tax-exempt religious institution.(2)At least 1,000 feet from the nearest lot line of a school.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102).

Full Breakdown

Warren's Marihuana Regulatory Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance Article IV-G) confines every category of marihuana business to industrial zoning. 07, and before the city will accept a Municipal License application the site must sit at least 500 feet from the nearest lot line of a residential zone (except R-1-P), a Planned Unit Development, a public library, a public park, or a tax-exempt religious institution, and at least 1,000 feet from the nearest lot line of a school. 06. 09). 11 bars any marihuana business or caregiver operation from the portion of the Downtown District north of 12 Mile Road and south of the 13 Mile/Chicago Road thoroughfare, from the Downtown Center, the Village Historic District, and the Van Dyke TIFA Authority District, and it bars outdoor retail sales and outdoor storage citywide except as permitted by state law.

Microbusinesses, Temporary Marihuana Events, and marihuana-dispensing food trucks are prohibited in every zone. 12, and under Warren Code of Ordinances Section 1-8(e) each day the violation continues is treated as a new, separate offense that the city may also abate as a nuisance.

Violations & Fines

Operating a marihuana growing, processing, transporter, or retail facility inside the 500- or 1,000-foot buffer, or outside the permitted M-1 through M-4 (or C-3) zones, is a municipal civil infraction under Section 4G.12, punishable by a fine of up to $500. Each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense, and the city may abate the condition as a nuisance under Section 1-8(e).

Frequently Asked Questions

How far must a Warren marihuana dispensary be from a school?
Under Section 4G.08 of the Zoning Ordinance, a provisioning center, retail establishment, or consumption establishment must sit at least 1,000 feet from the nearest lot line of a school, measured at the time the Municipal License application is submitted. The same section requires 500 feet from any residential zone, Planned Unit Development, public library, public park, or tax-exempt religious institution.
Can a marihuana business open in downtown Warren?
No. Section 4G.11 bars marihuana businesses and caregiver operations from the portion of the Downtown District north of 12 Mile Road and south of the 13 Mile/Chicago Road thoroughfare, from the Downtown Center, the Village Historic District, and the Van Dyke TIFA Authority District, regardless of the underlying zoning.
What zones allow marihuana growing or processing facilities in Warren?
Growing, processing, and secure transporter facilities are permitted only in the M-1, M-2, M-3, and M-4 industrial zones under Section 4G.07, and only if the site clears the 500-foot and 1,000-foot buffers from residential zones, parks, libraries, religious institutions, and schools.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Warren

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