Alameda County, CA Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed district
- A (Agricultural) district only
- Approval required
- Conditional use permit (BZA)
- Cultivation setback
- 50 ft from property line
- School/park buffer
- 1,000 ft (cultivation)
Summary
Cannabis retailers, cultivators and combined operations may locate only in the county's A (Agricultural) zoning district, and only with a conditional use permit.
In addition to the uses listed in Sections 17.52.480 and 17.52.580, the following are conditional uses and shall be permitted in an A district only if approved by the board of zoning adjustments...Q.Cannabis retailer, subject to and in compliance with Chapter 6.108 of this code;R.Cannabis cultivation and associated cannabis distribution, subject to and in compliance with Chapter 6.106 of this code and Section 17.52.585 of this title;S.Combined cannabis operation, subject to and in compliance with Chapter 6.109 of this code and Section 17.52.585 of this title;
Full Breakdown
Alameda County is not an opt-out jurisdiction -- it licenses commercial cannabis -- but confines it to a single zoning district. In unincorporated Alameda County, cannabis retailers, cannabis cultivation and distribution, and combined cannabis operations are conditional uses allowed only in the A (Agricultural) district, and only after Board of Zoning Adjustments approval of a conditional use permit on top of the underlying county cannabis operator permit (Chapter 6.106/6.108/6.109). Cultivation sites must also clear buffer standards in § 17.52.585: at least 50 feet from an adjoining property line, 300 feet from a neighboring residence, and 1,000 feet from any K-12 school, licensed child care, public park, or drug/alcohol recovery facility. This governs unincorporated territory only, including Castro Valley and the South Livermore Valley wine region -- not Oakland, Berkeley, Livermore, or any other incorporated city in the county, each of which sets its own cannabis zoning.
Violations & Fines
Operating without both the county cannabis operator permit and the required conditional use permit is unlawful; the county may deny, suspend or revoke permits for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cannabis retailer locate in a commercial or industrial zone?
Does this apply inside Castro Valley?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alameda County
California rules heatmap·Compare Alameda County to another location·View the California cannabis regulations overview
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