Murrieta, CA Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)

Section 16.44.250(B) of the Development Code makes cannabis cultivation, processing, delivery and dispensaries "prohibited activities within the City of Murrieta," and bars the city from approving "any use permit, variance, building permit, business license, or any other entitlement, license or permit" for those uses, except where state or federal law preempts a local ban. That makes Murrieta a full opt-out city for storefront and delivery dispensaries: there is no zoning district anywhere in town where a retail dispensary can be sited or permitted.

Subsection (C) carves out three limited exceptions. First, retail sale of industrial hemp products (not foods or supplements) is allowed, but hemp cultivation and processing stay banned and no cannabis imagery may be visible from outside the property or on delivery vehicles. Second, cannabis testing laboratories may operate, but only in the Business Park (BP), General Industrial (GI) and General Industrial-A (GIA) zone districts under Table 16.12-1, and only with a conditional use permit under Chapter 16.52 plus odor-control equipment strong enough that no odor is detectable off-site or in shared hallways. Third, a Medicinal Cannabis Delivery Service, a physical location with no retail storefront used solely for storage and delivery logistics, may operate under a license issued by the Chief of Police or designee; the license expires twelve months after issuance and must be renewed to continue operating, and the business and property owners must each sign the application and provide indemnification and insurance acceptable to the City Manager.