Temecula prohibits all commercial cannabis activities citywide under TMC Chapter 17.10 and 8.60 — no dispensaries, cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, testing, or delivery businesses may locate within city limits. Delivery from licensed operators outside Temecula to consumers within Temecula is permitted under state law (Bus & Prof Code §26090). The ban was reaffirmed by City Council and survives despite Riverside County allowing some operations.
Under California Business & Professions Code §26200, cities retain authority to prohibit commercial cannabis activities locally despite state legalization. Temecula has exercised this authority by banning all commercial cannabis businesses within city limits. TMC Chapter 17.10 prohibits dispensaries, retail storefronts, cultivation facilities, manufacturers, distributors, testing labs, microbusinesses, and delivery business locations in every zoning district — there is no zone where commercial cannabis is permitted. Operating an unlicensed cannabis business is a misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 per day per violation, and the City may seek injunctive relief and abatement. However, under Bus & Prof Code §26090(e), licensed cannabis delivery operators based in jurisdictions that permit them may legally deliver to consumers in Temecula — the City cannot ban delivery itself, only the location of delivery businesses. Consumers may also drive to neighboring jurisdictions (Palm Desert, Cathedral City, parts of unincorporated Riverside County) that allow dispensaries. Personal home cultivation of up to 6 plants under Prop 64 remains legal subject to the indoor-only restrictions in TMC 8.60. The ban has been challenged but upheld; voters have not approved any ballot measures to overturn it. Property owners leasing to illegal operators face nuisance abatement and lien actions.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Temecula code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Temecula, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Riverside County.
See how other cities in Riverside County handle dispensary zoning.
See how Temecula's dispensary zoning rules stack up against other locations.
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