San Diego, CA Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Conditional Use Permit, Process Three
- Citywide cap
- 40 facilities total
- Buffer from sensitive uses
- 1,000 feet
- Buffer from residential zones
- 100 feet
- Operations
- Indoors only; no greenhouses
Summary
San Diego allows cannabis production facilities, cultivation, processing, and wholesale sites, only with a Conditional Use Permit in zones marked "C" in the Chapter 13 Base Zone tables, and caps the citywide total at 40 permitted facilities under SDMC §141.1004.
A cannabis production facility may be permitted with a Conditional Use Permit decided in accordance with Process Three in the zones indicated with a "C" in the Use Regulations Tables in Chapter 13, Article 1 (Base Zones), provided that no more than 40 cannabis production facilities are permitted in the City of San Diego. Cannabis production facilities are subject to the following regulations.
Ch. Art. Div. 14 1 10 5 San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (8-2026)
(a) Cannabis production facilities shall maintain the following minimum separation:
(1) 1,000 feet from resource and population-based city parks, churches, child care centers, playgrounds, libraries owned and operated by the City of San Diego, minor-oriented facilities, residential care facilities, and schools. For purposes of this section, school means any public or private institution of learning providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive, but does not include any private school in which education is primarily conducted in private homes. The distance
Full Breakdown
A cannabis production facility may be permitted with a Conditional Use Permit decided under Process Three, in zones indicated with a "C" in the Use Regulations Tables of Chapter 13, Article 1 (Base Zones), and no more than 40 such facilities are allowed citywide. Each site must sit at least 1,000 feet from resource and population-based city parks, churches, child care centers, playgrounds, City-owned libraries, minor-oriented facilities, residential care facilities, and K-12 schools, and at least 100 feet from any residentially zoned lot. Operations must be fully indoors, greenhouses are prohibited, with cameras, alarms, and a licensed security guard, and permits expire five years after issuance.
Violations & Fines
Operating a production facility without a Conditional Use Permit, exceeding the 1,000-foot or 100-foot separation buffers, running a greenhouse, or exceeding the citywide 40-facility cap is unlawful and grounds for permit denial, code enforcement action, or CUP revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cannabis production facility open anywhere in San Diego?
Is there a cap on how many cannabis production facilities San Diego allows?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego to another location·View the California 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 San Diego County handle dispensary zoning.