Worcester County, MD Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Where allowed
- C-1, C-2 and C-3 districts, by special exception
- C-1 lot area and width
- Six thousand square feet; sixty feet
- C-1 floor area cap
- Five thousand square feet including storage
- C-2 floor area caps
- Sixty thousand per establishment; one hundred thousand per parcel
- Separation distance (§ PH 1-110(b))
- Two thousand feet from schools, child care, parks, other dispensaries
- On-site consumption
- Prohibited in Worcester County
Summary
In unincorporated Worcester County, Maryland, cannabis dispensaries are a special exception use in the C-1, C-2 and C-3 commercial districts. In C-1, § ZS 1-209(c)(15) requires a six thousand square foot lot, sixty feet of width, and gross floor area, including storage, of no more than five thousand square feet. On-site consumption establishments are prohibited.
(c) Special exceptions. ... The following principal uses and structures may be permitted by special exception in the C-1 District in accordance with the provisions of § ZS 1-116(c) hereof: ... (15) Cannabis dispensaries. Minimum lot requirements shall be: lot area, six thousand square feet [see § ZS 1-305(l) hereof]; lot width, sixty feet; front yard setback, twenty-five feet [see § ZS 1-305(b) hereof]; each side yard setback, six feet; and rear yard setback, twenty feet. Furthermore, the gross floor area, including storage, shall not exceed five thousand square feet, subject to the provisions of §§ ZS 1-325 and PH 1-110 hereof. See additional provisions in Subsection (f) of this section.
Full Breakdown
Cannabis dispensaries appear in the zoning title only in the commercial districts, and in each one as a special exception that the Board of Zoning Appeals must grant under § ZS 1-116(c). In the C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District, § ZS 1-209(c)(15) sets a lot area of six thousand square feet, a lot width of sixty feet, a front yard setback of twenty-five feet, each side yard setback of six feet and a rear yard setback of twenty feet, with gross floor area including storage capped at five thousand square feet. The C-2 General Commercial District uses the same lot figures but caps the gross floor area, including storage, at sixty thousand square feet for any single business establishment and one hundred thousand square feet for all business establishments on the parcel. The C-3 Highway Commercial District prints the same lot figures, subject to §§ ZS 1-325 and PH 1-110.
The zoning definition of a cannabis dispensary is a licensed entity as defined under Title 36 of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland that provides cannabis or cannabis products through a storefront or delivery service. The siting rules sit in § PH 1-110, added by Bill No. 23-07 on 11-29-2023. For dispensaries permitted after July 1, 2023, a dispensary must keep a minimum separation distance of two thousand feet from a pre-existing primary or secondary school; a licensed child-care center or registered family child-care home; a playground, recreation center, library or public park; and another licensed dispensary.
On-site consumption is closed off. Section PH 1-110(c) prohibits on-site consumption establishments in Worcester County and prohibits any establishment from permitting the consumption of cannabis or cannabis products on-site. Subsection (d) says § PH 1-110 applies first, and the rest of the County Code applies where the section is silent. The off-street parking schedule carries separate lines for cannabis dispensaries and for a cannabis dispensary with drive-through.
Violations & Fines
Under § PH 1-110(e), any person, licensee, agent, group, firm or corporation that violates the cannabis establishment provisions is guilty of a civil infraction. Zoning violations are also civil infractions under § ZS 1-120(b), and the County can withhold or revoke a permit or special exception. The general civil-infraction chapter, § GP 5-102(e), caps a fine at five hundred dollars, or one thousand dollars for a repeat offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can a cannabis dispensary locate in unincorporated Worcester County?
How far must a dispensary be from schools and parks?
Has Worcester County banned dispensaries?
How large can a dispensary be in the C-1 District?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Worcester County
Compare Worcester County to another location·View the Maryland cannabis regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.