Portland, OR Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Dispensary-to-dispensary buffer
- 1,000 feet, building to building
- School buffer
- 1,000 feet from school property line
- Residential zones
- Barred in RF through RM4, RMP
- Licensing agency
- Portland Permitting & Development
Summary
Portland bars new medical dispensaries or marijuana retailers within 1,000 feet of another dispensary or retailer, within 1,000 feet of a school, or in residential zones RF through RM4 and RMP; Portland Permitting & Development issues the required license.
B. If the location is a medical dispensary, the location may be no closer than 1,000 feet of another medical dispensary. The distance between the dispensaries will be computed by direct measurement of the nearest portion of the building in which one medical dispensary is located to the nearest portion of the building in which the other medical dispensary is located.
C. Except for marijuana retail couriers, if the location is a marijuana retailer, the location may be no closer than 1,000 feet of another marijuana retailer. The distance between the retailers will be computed by direct measurement of the nearest portion of the building in which one marijuana retailer is located to the nearest portion of the building in which the other marijuana retailer is located.
D. Distance restrictions for dispensaries and retailers.
1. Except for marijuana retail couriers, a marijuana regulatory license will not be granted for a medical dispensary or a marijuana retailer that is within 1,000 feet of another medical dispensary or another marijuana retailer. The distance between the dispensaries and retailers will be computed by direct measurement of the nearest portion of the building in which one medical dispensary or marijuana retailer is located to the nearest portion of the building in which the other medical dispensary or marijuana retailer is located.
Full Breakdown
Portland City Code § 14B.130.040 requires a marijuana regulatory license from Portland Permitting & Development before operating a medical dispensary or marijuana business. Subsection B keeps dispensaries at least 1,000 feet apart, measured building-to-building; Subsection C applies the same 1,000-foot separation to marijuana retailers; Subsection E adds a 1,000-foot buffer from any public or private elementary or secondary school, measured from the school's property line. Subsection F bars dispensaries, marijuana businesses, laboratories, and research certificate holders from locating in residential zones RF through RM4 and RMP.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a marijuana regulatory license, or at a site violating the 1,000-foot dispensary, retailer, or school buffers, gets the application denied or the license revoked or suspended by the Director.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close can a dispensary be to another dispensary in Portland?
Can a dispensary open near a school in Portland?
Can a dispensary locate in a Portland residential zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
Compare Portland to another location·View the Oregon cannabis regulations overview
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Dispensary Zoning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Multnomah County handle dispensary zoning.