Imperial County, CA Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- By-right retail zones
- GC, GCCO, MLI1-3, ICCZ
- CUP retail zones
- C-2 (full), C-3 (retail)
- License type
- Retail with Delivery
- Buffer/distance rule
- None specified in zoning code
Summary
Imperial County zones cannabis retail, licensed as 'Retail with Delivery', into specific commercial and industrial zones across its Gateway, Mesquite Lake and Imperial Center specific plan areas, with C-2 and C-3 zones available through a Conditional Use Permit.
Imperial County permits commercial cannabis: including, Retail with Delivery (adult-use and medicinal) within the Gateway Commercial (GC) and Gateway Central Commercial Overlay (GCCO) Zones of the Gateway of the America's Specific Plan Area, as well as the Light Industrial (MLI1), Medium Industrial (MLI2) and Heavy Industrial (MLI3) Zones of the Mesquite Lake Specific Plan Area and within the Imperial Center Commercial Zone (ICCZ) of the Imperial Center Specific Plan.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 62 - 9-25).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 90406.04(B) zones cannabis retail with delivery, by right, into the Gateway Commercial and Gateway Central Commercial Overlay zones of the Gateway of the Americas Specific Plan, the Light, Medium and Heavy Industrial zones of the Mesquite Lake Specific Plan, and the Imperial Center Commercial Zone of the Imperial Center Specific Plan. Outside those areas, § 90406.05(B) allows retail with delivery, distribution and testing in the General Commercial (C-2) zone with a Conditional Use Permit, and retail with delivery alone in the Heavy Commercial (C-3) zone. The zoning code sets no separate buffer distance from schools or residences for cannabis retail.
Violations & Fines
Operating cannabis retail outside these zones, or without the required county Commercial Cannabis Activity License and CUP where applicable, violates County Code § 90406.04-.05 and is subject to enforcement, permit denial, or citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a cannabis dispensary locate in unincorporated Imperial County?
Does Imperial County require a buffer between a dispensary and a school?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Imperial County
California rules heatmap·Compare Imperial County to another location·View the California cannabis regulations overview
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