Irondequoit, NY Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)

The Town's cannabis rules are in § 235-90(C) of the Town of Irondequoit Code, added by Local Law No. 4-2022 on August 16, 2022. The Town states that it has opted to allow adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries and on-site consumption facilities with a special use permit issued by the Planning Board, subject to time, place and manner provisions. The Planning Board issues these permits under § 274-b of New York State Town Law before any building permits issue; for other special uses the Town Board is the issuing body (§ 235-90(A)(2)). The definitions cover a retail facility needing an adult-use retail dispensary license, and a facility needing an on-site consumption license, from the New York Office of Cannabis Management; they exclude cannabidiol stores and other facilities that do not need such a license.

A valid license from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management is required (§ 235-90(C)(2)(a)). The special permit requirements regulate time, place and manner, and the Planning Board cannot apply requirements that conflict with the state license. Where the license specifies other or more specific provisions on size, site plan, physical attributes, security or hours, the license provisions apply instead.

Physical standards: the principal entrance must be on a public thoroughfare at street level; all aspects of the facility except transportation of product must take place inside a fully enclosed building, not visible from the exterior; no outside storage is permitted; and the public area of a dispensary cannot exceed 5,000 square feet gross floor area. No odor can be detectable at the exterior or at any adjoining use or property. Walk-up and drive-through window service is prohibited, and no cannabis facility can be inside a building containing residential units, including motels and dormitories (§ 235-90(C)(4)).

Operations: adequate security measures and safety plans are required. A dispensary cannot be open to the public before 7:00 a.m. or after 10:00 p.m., and an on-site consumption facility cannot be open between 12:00 midnight and 7:00 a.m. (§ 235-90(C)(5)). Distance requirements from schools, parks, worship sites and other facilities are in § 235-90(C)(3)(b) to (d).