Elko County, NV Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)

Section 6-15-2 of the Elko County Code says that, notwithstanding any other provision, cannabis establishments are not allowed in the unincorporated area of Elko County and are unlawful as a permitted use, conditional use or accessor use in any zoning district there, including the unincorporated towns, except in the unincorporated town of Jackpot. The AC District in § 4-14-1 supplies the zoning tool. Permitted uses, all conducted entirely within an enclosed building, are adult-use cultivation, independent testing, production, retail store and distributor facilities and medical independent testing, cultivation, production and dispensary facilities.

If the applicant for a zoning change transfers, sells or discontinues operating a cannabis establishment on the property, the zoning automatically reverts to the previous designation. The yards are 30 feet in front, 20 feet in the rear and 10 feet at the side. Height is capped at fifty feet (50') or four (4) stories, and twenty feet (20') within fifty feet (50') of an R District. The minimum site is ten thousand (10,000) square feet with a minimum lot width of seventy-five feet (75').

Parking is one space for each three hundred (300) square feet, paved, and the site needs desert landscape or plants that use minimal water. Signs are limited to two in number and fifteen (15) square feet each. Before approving a zone change, the Planning and Zoning Board can set conditions on manner of operation, environmental sustainability, odor control, parking, traffic and aesthetics, and the applicant can appeal those conditions to the Board of County Commissioners in the manner set forth in § 4-9-10. A county cannabis establishment business license is also required under § 6-15-3. Elko, Carlin, Wells and West Wendover are separate cities with their own codes.