Salem, OR Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)

Salem sorts uses in the downtown CB zone through Table 524-1 in SRC 524.005, which labels each use permitted (P), special (S), conditional (C) or prohibited (N). Under the Retail Sales and Services heading, medical marijuana and recreational marijuana sales or transfers are listed as N, except for retail sales of cannabidiol (CBD) products. Every other retail sale is P. A dispensary therefore cannot open in the CB zone, which section 524.001 describes as the principal center of business and commerce for Salem and the region, built around compact retail, office, entertainment, governmental and residential uses that people reach on foot. Section 524.005(b) adds a second layer: any permitted, special or conditional use in CB becomes prohibited if it is developed with a drive-through. Marijuana production is also N in the CB zone, listed under Agriculture, while all other agriculture is P.

Where marijuana production is designated as a special use in some other zone, SRC 700.035 attaches two standards: the production must be conducted indoors, and the facility must use an air filtration system so that odor impacts on neighboring properties are minimized. Table 524-1 speaks only for the CB zone, so a site in any other zone has to be checked against that zone's own use table before an operator certifies it.

Zoning connects to licensing through SRC chapter 31. Every marijuana business, defined as a person or entity that transfers or sells marijuana, grows commercial marijuana, or manufactures marijuana items, must register with the Chief of the Salem Police Department. Personal home growers in compliance with state law are outside that definition. Under section 31.015(a)(6) the applicant must certify that the business, at the location in the application, is allowed in the applicable zoning district and will comply with all applicable land use regulations. The application also needs the business name and address, the names and residence addresses of all principals, landlord details when the space is leased, and certification that the business holds and complies with all required state permissions. The Chief registers the business once all information and certifications are provided. Registration is renewed annually and costs $100.00 per location for both the initial registration and each renewal (SRC 31.020). A business must present its registration when the Chief asks, and must update it after a change of ownership, location or type of business, or after any state license is revoked or suspended.