Cannabis retail dispensaries are PROHIBITED in unincorporated San Mateo County. The Board of Supervisors has adopted a ban on all commercial cannabis retail licenses under MAUCRSA. Limited commercial cultivation (mixed-light greenhouse and nursery) is allowed only on parcels designated Agriculture in the General Plan with a County commercial cannabis license. Delivery from licensed operators in other jurisdictions into unincorporated areas is permitted per state law (Bus & Prof Code §26090) and cannot be banned locally.
In 2017-2018 the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors adopted a commercial cannabis ordinance (Chapter 5.148 and related) that allows limited mixed-light (greenhouse) cultivation and nursery operations in unincorporated areas under a County Commercial Cannabis Activity License. Retail sales (storefront dispensaries), manufacturing, distribution, testing, and microbusinesses are PROHIBITED in unincorporated areas. Cultivation licenses are limited to parcels designated 'Agriculture' in the General Plan OR land with documented agricultural use for three or more prior years. Outdoor cultivation is not permitted even under commercial license (mixed-light greenhouse only). Setback requirements for licensed cultivation: minimum 1,000 feet from schools, daycares, youth centers, parks, and libraries per state law (Bus & Prof Code §26054). Security requirements include 24-hour video, alarm system, limited access, and odor control. Delivery from licensed retailers in other jurisdictions (e.g., San Jose, Oakland, San Francisco) to unincorporated San Mateo County addresses is permitted under Bus & Prof Code §26090 and MAUCRSA; counties cannot ban delivery. Licensed dispensaries operate in some San Mateo County cities (Half Moon Bay, unincorporated-adjacent), but not on unincorporated land.
Operating retail dispensary without license in unincorporated area: misdemeanor H&S §11360 plus civil nuisance abatement and closure. Cultivation outside Agriculture-designated parcels: permit revocation plus fines $1,000-$10,000 per day. Sales to minors: criminal H&S §11361 plus automatic license forfeiture.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Daly City, CA
Daly City prohibits nuisance barking under Title 6 (Animals) and Chapter 9.22 (Disturbing the Peace). Owners must prevent dogs from habitually barking or how...
Daly City, CA
Construction with a valid city permit is allowed weekdays 8 AM to 8 PM in Daly City. Weekend and holiday construction hours are more restricted. Unpermitted ...
Daly City, CA
Daly City regulates noise under Chapter 9.22 (Disturbing the Peace). Residential sound limits are 60 dBA daytime and 50 dBA nighttime. The general quiet peri...
Daly City, CA
Daly City restricts overnight and extended parking of large commercial vehicles in residential zones. California Vehicle Code provisions on commercial vehicl...
Daly City, CA
Daly City prohibits parking RVs, boats, trailers, and camper shells in the front yard of residential lots. They may only be parked on the driveway within app...
Daly City, CA
Daly City enforces California Vehicle Code §22651 for abandoned vehicles (72 hours on public street). Street sweeping parking restrictions are posted by bloc...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Mateo County.
See how Daly City's dispensary zoning rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.