Los Angeles, CA Cannabis Regulations: Home Cultivation (2026)
Key Facts
- Outdoor cultivation
- Prohibited citywide: all zones, all quantities
- Indoor personal cultivation
- May be allowed under CA H&S Code § 11362.1(a)(3)
- Exterior visibility rule
- Cannabis visible from outside a structure is unlawful
- Home medical collective limit
- Maximum 3 qualified patients/caregivers
- Exception authority
- CA Health and Safety Code § 11362.1(a)(3) only
- Enforcement
- LAPD; potential City Attorney prosecution
Summary
Outdoor marijuana cultivation is prohibited citywide in Los Angeles regardless of zone or personal-use status. Indoor personal cultivation may be allowed under California Health and Safety Code § 11362.1(a)(3), but any cultivation visible from outside the structure is separately unlawful.
(c) It is unlawful to plant, cultivate, harvest, dry, process, manufacture or store any living marijuana plants allowed by State law, if such action or conduct occurs outdoors at any location in the City. This prohibition shall not apply to the limited conduct allowed under Health and Safety Code Section 11362.1(a)(3).
(d) It is unlawful to possess, plant, cultivate, harvest, dry, process, manufacture, distribute, store, test, package, label, transport, deliver, sell, purchase, obtain or give away any Cannabis or Cannabis product allowed by State law, if such action or conduct occurs in any structure where any Cannabis or Cannabis derived product is visible from the exterior of the structure. This prohibition shall not apply to the limited conduct allowed under Health and Safety Code Section 11362.1(a)(3).
(f) It is unlawful to establish, operate or participate in a medical marijuana collective or cooperative unless in a dwelling unit which has no more than three qualified patients, persons with identification cards or primary caregivers or a combination of these amounting to three.
Full Breakdown
LAMC § 105.06(c) contains a flat citywide ban on outdoor marijuana cultivation: planting, growing, harvesting, drying, processing, manufacturing, or storing living marijuana plants outdoors is unlawful at any location in the City. Section 105.06(d) adds that any cannabis activity inside a structure is unlawful if any cannabis product is visible from the exterior. Home medical marijuana collectives are limited to dwellings with no more than three qualified patients, ID cardholders, or primary caregivers combined (§ 105.06(f)). The sole exception is the limited personal conduct permitted by CA Health and Safety Code § 11362.1(a)(3), which allows indoor personal cultivation.
Violations & Fines
Violations of § 105.06 are unlawful and subject to enforcement under LAMC § 12.27.1 (zoning violation); criminal penalties may also apply under California Health and Safety Code provisions. Enforcement is by LAPD and potentially the City Attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow cannabis plants in my backyard in LA?
Can I grow cannabis indoors at home?
What if I grow plants indoors but they are visible through my window?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
California rules heatmap·Compare Los Angeles to another location·View the California cannabis regulations overview
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Home Cultivation in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle home cultivation.