Lancaster vs Long Beach
How do buffer zones rules compare between Lancaster, CA and Long Beach, CA?
Lancaster and Long Beach have similar restriction levels.
Lancaster, CA
Los Angeles County
Under California MAUCRSA Business and Professions Code Section 26054 and LA County Code Title 22.140, commercial cannabis premises in unincorporated LA County must sit at least 600 feet from K-12 schools, daycare centers, and youth centers, measured property line to property line.
View full Lancaster rules →Long Beach, CA
Los Angeles County
Long Beach prohibits cannabis retail, manufacturing, and cultivation businesses from operating within 600 feet of K-12 schools, daycares, parks, libraries, and other licensed cannabis businesses, measured property line to property line.
View full Long Beach rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lancaster | Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| State baseline | BPC Section 26054 | - |
| School buffer | 600 feet K-12 schools | - |
| Sensitive uses | Daycares, youth centers | - |
| Local code | LA County Title 22.140 | - |
| Reviewer | Regional Planning, DCBA | - |
| Buffer distance | - | 600 feet |
| Code section | - | LBMC 5.90.030 |
| Measurement | - | Property line |
| State minimum | - | BPC 26054 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lancaster FAQ
How is the 600-foot distance measured?
County planning measures from the cannabis premises property line to the nearest property line of the sensitive use along the shortest pedestrian path, not radius and not door-to-door distance.
Do these buffers apply inside cities?
The state 600-foot buffer applies everywhere in California. The county Title 22 buffers only apply in unincorporated areas. Each city sets its own additional buffers under its zoning code.
Long Beach FAQ
Can a school move in next to an existing dispensary?
Existing licensed cannabis businesses are generally grandfathered if a sensitive use locates nearby afterward, though new licenses or major modifications still need to meet current buffers.
Do buffers apply to delivery-only businesses?
Yes, the 600-foot buffer typically applies to any licensed premises in Long Beach including non-storefront delivery operations and microbusinesses.
Compare other topics
See how Lancaster and Long Beach compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool