San Diego, CA Cannabis Regulations: Personal Cultivation Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Plant limit
- Six plants per residence
- Minimum age
- 21 years old
- State law
- HSC §11362.1
- Outdoor rule
- Locked, not publicly visible
- Sale
- Prohibited without state license
Summary
Adults 21 and older in San Diego may cultivate up to six living cannabis plants per private residence under California Proposition 64, codified at Health and Safety Code §11362.1, with plants kept indoors or in a locked secured area not visible from public view.
(a) Subject to Sections 11362.2, 11362.3, 11362.4, and 11362.45, but notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be lawful under state and local law, and shall not be a violation of state or local law, for persons 21 years of age or older to: (1) Possess, process, transport, purchase, obtain, or give away to persons 21 years of age or older without any compensation whatsoever, not more than 28.5 grams of cannabis not in the form of concentrated cannabis; (2) Possess, process, transport, purchase, obtain, or give away to persons 21 years of age or older without any compensation whatsoever, not more than eight grams of cannabis in the form of concentrated cannabis, including as contained in cannabis products; (3) Possess, plant, cultivate, harvest, dry, or process not more than six living cannabis plants and possess the cannabis produced by the plants; (4) Smoke or ingest cannabis or cannabis products; and (5) Possess, transport, purchase, obtain, use, manufacture, or give away cannabis accessories to persons 21 years of age or older without any compensation whatsoever.
Full Breakdown
California Proposition 64, codified at Health and Safety Code §11362.1, lets any adult 21 or older cultivate up to six plants total per residence, regardless of how many adults live there. Outdoor cultivation is allowed only when plants are not visible from a public place and are secured behind a locked enclosure. San Diego does not impose stricter local plant counts and follows the state baseline. The city enforces nuisance, odor, and electrical safety rules through the Development Services Department, San Diego Fire-Rescue, and Code Enforcement. Renters need landlord permission. Plants must not be cultivated where minors can access them and cannot be sold without a state license.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding six plants is a state infraction or misdemeanor under HSC §11358. Visible-from-public outdoor grows, missing locks, or any sale without a state license can also trigger SDMC nuisance abatement and code enforcement citations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can two adults grow twelve plants together?
Can my landlord ban home cultivation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego to another location·View the California cannabis regulations overview
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