San Bernardino County, CA Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)

County Code § 84.34.030 prohibits commercial cannabis activity, including delivery, as a use in every land use zoning district in the unincorporated area of San Bernardino County. The Code states that commercial cannabis activity "shall not be considered a permitted or conditionally permitted use in any land use zoning district" and that "no permit of any type shall be issued therefor," so there is no zone, industrial, commercial or otherwise, where a licensed storefront or delivery-only dispensary can locate on unincorporated land. The ban reaches any person who conducts, causes to be conducted, or permits a commercial cannabis activity within the unincorporated area.

Violating the Chapter is a misdemeanor, punishable under Chapter 86.09 (Enforcement) and Title 1, Division 1, Chapter 2 of the County Code, though the County may instead cite, charge and prosecute a violation as an infraction. The prohibition does not reach personal possession or use protected under state law; § 84.34.030 expressly states it "shall not affect the right to possess or use cannabis as authorized by Federal or State law."

Two narrow exemptions in the same Chapter cover cultivation, not retail: § 84.34.040 lets a person with a medical identification card, or their primary caregiver, grow up to 12 plants indoors at a private residence (24 aggregate per residence with multiple qualifying people), and § 84.34.050 covers a primary caregiver affiliated with a licensed facility. Neither exemption authorizes a dispensary, delivery service, or any other commercial cannabis business; the countywide ban on commercial activity in every zoning district stands. The rule applies only to the unincorporated area; each of the County's 24 incorporated cities, including San Bernardino, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga and Ontario, sets its own cannabis business rules under its own municipal code.