Does Hillsborough County, FL have its own dispensary zoning ordinance?

No. Hillsborough County, FL does not appear to have a local dispensary zoning ordinance, Florida state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from FL Statute 381.986.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County, FL Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Conditional use districts: CN, CG, CI, M zoning districts
Accessory use districts: BPO, UC-1, UC-2, with conditional use approval
School separation: 500 feet, waivable through the Hearing Officer
Application fee: Waived for this conditional use permit
Reviewing body: Land Use Hearing Officer
Revocation basis: False statements or misrepresentations in application

Summary

Medical marijuana dispensing facilities may open only as a conditional use in Hillsborough County's CN, CG, CI and M zoning districts, or as an accessory use in the BPO, UC-1 and UC-2 districts subject to conditional use approval. The county has not opted out: dispensing is allowed only under this section and Florida Statutes Section 381.986, and no application fee applies.

City-specific rules exist: Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace have their own dispensary zoning rules that differ from Hillsborough County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

A. Intent. Florida law, including Section 381.986, Florida Statutes, provides for a comprehensive state licensing and regulatory framework for the cultivation, processing and dispensing of marijuana for medical uses. ... B. Applicability. The provisions of this section shall be applicable in the unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County. ... The sale of cannabis or marijuana is prohibited in Hillsborough County except in accordance with this section and the Hillsborough County Code of Ordinances. ... D. Zoning districts where Medical Marijuana Dispensing Facilities allowed by conditional use. Dispensing of Medical Marijuana shall be permitted as a conditional use in the CN, CG, CI and M zoning districts, only in accordance with the requirements of this article and the applicable zoning district. Dispensing of Medical Marijuana shall be permitted as an Accessory Use in the BPO, UC-1 and UC-2 zoning districts, subject to conditional use approval pursuant to the requirements of this section, and subject to compliance with Sec. 6.11.03. An application fee shall not be required for a conditional use application for a medical marijuana dispensing facility.

Source: FL Statute 381.986View official code

Full Breakdown

986, and it applies only in the unincorporated county; Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City set their own rules. The section allows dispensing of low-THC cannabis and Medical Marijuana for medical use only, and the sale of cannabis or marijuana is prohibited in the county except in accordance with this section and the Hillsborough County Code of Ordinances. Location is controlled by zoning district. A dispensing facility is a conditional use, requiring Land Use Hearing Officer review, in the Commercial Neighborhood (CN), Commercial General (CG), Commercial Intensive (CI) and Manufacturing (M) districts.

03's accessory-use standards. Unlike most conditional use filings, the county waives the application fee for a medical marijuana dispensing facility permit. Facilities must also clear a 500-foot separation from any public or private elementary, middle or secondary school, measured property line to property line, with a waiver process available through the Land Use Hearing Officer when the operator can show the location does not create a normal travel route past a school. 04(B) of the Land Development Code.

Violations & Fines

Selling cannabis or marijuana outside the CN, CG, CI, M, BPO, UC-1 or UC-2 districts, or without an approved conditional use permit, is unlawful under Section 6.11.127(B), since sales are permitted only in accordance with this section. Hillsborough County Code Enforcement handles noncompliance through the standard code enforcement process, and the Administrator may separately revoke an already-issued conditional use permit outright on finding the application contained false statements or misrepresented material facts, per subsection H.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Hillsborough County opted out of allowing medical marijuana dispensaries?

No. Section 6.11.127 states the sale of cannabis or marijuana is prohibited in the county except in accordance with this section, meaning the county affirmatively permits dispensing rather than opting out under Florida's local option. Facilities may operate as a conditional use in CN, CG, CI and M districts, or as an accessory use in BPO, UC-1 and UC-2 districts, once approved.

Which zoning districts allow a dispensary as a conditional use?

Commercial Neighborhood (CN), Commercial General (CG), Commercial Intensive (CI) and Manufacturing (M) districts allow medical marijuana dispensing facilities as a conditional use, reviewed by the Land Use Hearing Officer under the same conditional use process required for other special uses permitted in those zoning districts.

Is there a fee to apply for a dispensary conditional use permit?

No. Section 6.11.127(D) specifically waives the application fee that would otherwise apply to a conditional use permit application for a medical marijuana dispensing facility, an exception the Land Development Code does not extend to most other conditional use filings countywide.

Can a county-issued dispensary permit be revoked?

Yes. Under Section 6.11.127(H), the Administrator may revoke a Medical Marijuana Dispensing Facility Conditional Use Permit on determining that the underlying application included false statements or misrepresentations of material fact, following the procedure set out in Section 11.06.04(B) of the Land Development Code.

Sources & Official References

[1]Hillsborough County Land Development Code Sec. 6.11.127, Medical Marijuana Dispensing Facilities (Municode)

Other rules in Hillsborough County

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All Hillsborough County rules

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Dispensary Zoning in Cities Across Hillsborough County

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