Cannabis dispensaries in unincorporated Pima County must comply with both Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) licensing and county zoning requirements. State law requires dispensaries be at least 500 feet from schools. Pima County zoning code treats dispensaries as a commercial use requiring a conditional use permit in most zones.
Under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA) and Proposition 207, cannabis dispensaries (dual-licensed for medical and recreational) must obtain ADHS licenses and comply with local zoning. ARS 36-2804 requires dispensaries be located at least 500 feet from a public or private school (measured property line to property line). Pima County treats dispensaries as a conditional use in commercial and industrial zones. A conditional use permit (CUP) requires public notice, a hearing before the Board of Adjustment, and review of parking, traffic, and neighborhood impacts. The county has not adopted dispensary-specific buffer zones beyond the state 500-foot school setback. Dispensaries must meet all commercial building, ADA, and fire code requirements. Roughly 20 licensed dispensary locations operate in the greater Tucson metro area. Contact Pima County Development Services for zoning verification.
Operating a dispensary without proper ADHS licensing is a felony under Arizona law. Operating in a zone where dispensaries are not permitted or without a conditional use permit results in county code enforcement action including cease-and-desist orders and fines. Violating the 500-foot school setback may result in license revocation by ADHS.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Pima County, AZ
Pima County has no outdoor music or amplified sound ordinance for unincorporated areas. ARS 13-2904 applies to unreasonable noise. Event venues may have CUP ...
Pima County, AZ
Pima County regulates amplified music under the general noise ordinance. Sound amplification permits available for events. ARS §13-2904 applies.
Pima County, AZ
Pima County has no general decibel limits for unincorporated areas. Industrial zone performance standards exist. ARS 13-2904 uses a reasonable person standar...
Pima County, AZ
Pima County Code Chapter 9.30 and animal control code (Chapter 6.04) cover excessive animal noise. Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) handles barking dog complai...
Pima County, AZ
Pima County has no leaf blower ordinance for unincorporated areas. Desert landscaping minimizes need. ARS 13-2904 covers extreme noise. HOAs provide primary ...
Pima County, AZ
Pima County Code Chapter 9.30 prohibits excessive, unnecessary, or offensive noise that disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood or causes discomfort ...
See how Pima County's dispensary zoning rules stack up against other locations.
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