Perth Amboy, NJ Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Scope of ban
- All classes of cannabis establishments, distributors and delivery services
- Where prohibited
- All of the City's zoning districts
- Exception
- Delivery of cannabis items and supplies by a delivery service
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 1982-2021 (7-14-2021), amended by Ord. No. 1983-2021 (8-11-2021)
- Penalty
- Fine up to $1,000 or 30 days, each day separate
Summary
Section 430-10E of the Perth Amboy zoning chapter prohibits all classes of cannabis establishments, cannabis distributors and cannabis delivery services in every zoning district of the City of Perth Amboy, New Jersey. The one carve-out is delivery: the ban does not reach delivery of cannabis items and related supplies by a delivery service.
E. All classes of cannabis establishments, cannabis distributors, or cannabis delivery services (as said terms are defined in Section 3 of P.L. 2021, c. 16) are prohibited uses in all of the City's zoning districts, but not the delivery of cannabis items and related supplies by a delivery service. ... F. Only those uses specifically identified as a permitted principal use, permitted accessory use, conditional use, permitted sign or other permitted use shall be permitted. All other uses are prohibited.
Full Breakdown
Section 430-10 of the Perth Amboy zoning chapter sets the effect of the zoning districts, and subsection E, added by Ordinance No. 1982-2021 on 7-14-2021 and amended by Ordinance No. 1983-2021 on 8-11-2021, deals with cannabis. It names all classes of cannabis establishments, cannabis distributors, and cannabis delivery services, using the terms as defined in Section 3 of P.L. 2021, c. 16, and makes each of them a prohibited use in all of the City's zoning districts. So there is no district in the City of Perth Amboy, whether residential, commercial, industrial or waterfront, where a dispensary, cultivator, manufacturer, wholesaler or distributor can be sited under the zoning chapter.
The exception is narrow. The prohibition does not cover the delivery of cannabis items and related supplies by a delivery service, so a licensed delivery service can still bring product to addresses in the city even though it cannot locate a delivery-service business in a zone. Subsection F of the same section backs the ban up with the general rule of the chapter: only those uses specifically identified as a permitted principal use, permitted accessory use, conditional use, permitted sign or other permitted use shall be permitted, and all other uses are prohibited.
The district use lists in Article III do not name cannabis establishments as a permitted or conditional use. Applications and zoning questions go to the administrative official, who § 430-5 defines as the Zoning Officer unless a different municipal official is designated. Complaints are filed in writing under § 430-108. The City Council adopted these provisions by ordinance as an amendment to Chapter 430.
Violations & Fines
Operating a cannabis establishment in a district where it is prohibited violates Chapter 430. Section 430-109 lets the city seek court action to restrain, correct or abate the use, and it makes a violation a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both, plus costs. Each day the violation continues is a separate offense, and owners, tenants and contractors can each be charged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cannabis dispensary open in the City of Perth Amboy?
Is cannabis delivery allowed in Perth Amboy?
Which ordinance adopted the cannabis prohibition?
Who defines the cannabis terms used in the ban?
What is the penalty for violating the zoning ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Perth Amboy
Compare Perth Amboy to another location·View the New Jersey cannabis regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Dispensary Zoning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle dispensary zoning.