Plainfield, NJ Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)

Section 17:9-24A of the Plainfield Land Use Ordinance was added on August 16, 2021 by Ordinance MC 2021-24 and amended through April 8, 2024 by Ordinance MC 2024-18. Subsection B amends the City's Land Use and Development Ordinance and any inconsistent redevelopment plans to set locations and caps for licensed cannabis businesses.

Where each class goes. Class 1 Cultivation, Class 2 Manufacture, Class 3 Wholesale, Class 4 Distribution and Class 6 Delivery are each placed in the Light Industrial Zone District (LI). Class 5 Retail is permitted in any district where retail is a permitted use, subject to compliance with the section.

Caps. A maximum total of seven cannabis facilities operating under Classes 1, 2, 3, 4 and/or 6 is permitted in the City. That is seven licenses total, not seven for each class. A maximum of eight retail cannabis business establishments under Class 5 is permitted. Microbusinesses do not count against either total.

Licensing gates. A cannabis business first needs a State license from the Commission, in good standing for the whole term of its operation, and a City license that is renewed annually and is non-transferable. Before the City gives evidence of support, the prospective licensee is vetted by the City Department of Economic Development and the Mayor, and the support itself is evidenced in writing from the Mayor. The City license also depends on a social equity agreement and on site plan approval from the Planning Board, after review by the Technical Review Committee with a representative of the City's Department of Health and Social Services.

Site standards. A retail business provides no less than one parking space per 300 square feet of gross floor area, and a non-retail business no less than one space per 1,000 square feet. A microbusiness is limited to 10 employees and premises no larger than 2,500 square feet. Each business is permitted one sign.