Commercial Cannabis Zoning: Phoenix vs Surprise
How do commercial cannabis zoning rules compare between Phoenix, AZ and Surprise, AZ?
Phoenix and Surprise have similar restriction levels.
Phoenix, AZ
Maricopa County
Phoenix Zoning Ordinance Chapter 36 governs where licensed marijuana establishments may operate. Dispensaries are limited to specific commercial and industrial districts, require Use Permit review, and must meet separation, parking, and operational standards.
View full Phoenix rules →Surprise, AZ
Maricopa County
Maricopa County Zoning Ordinance Title XIII permits marijuana establishments only in C-2 and C-3 commercial zones with a Conditional Use Permit. Cultivation and infusion are limited to the IND-1 and IND-2 industrial zones, subject to setbacks, screening, and air-quality requirements.
View full Surprise rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Phoenix | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Code chapter | Phoenix Chapter 36 zoning | - |
| Allowed districts | C-2, C-3, A-1, A-2 districts | - |
| Approval | Use Permit required | - |
| School buffer | 1,320 feet state minimum | - |
| Reviewer | Planning and Development Department | - |
| Retail zone | - | C-2 or C-3 |
| Cultivation zone | - | IND-1 or IND-2 |
| Permit type | - | Conditional Use Permit |
| Hours cap | - | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Phoenix FAQ
Can a dispensary open in a Phoenix shopping center?
Only if the center sits in C-2 or higher commercial zoning, the use is approved through a Use Permit, and the site meets school buffers and dispensary separation distances.
Are cultivation facilities allowed near homes?
Indoor cultivation is restricted to industrial A-1 or A-2 zones with screening, odor control, and security requirements. Cultivation is not permitted in residential or most commercial districts.
Surprise FAQ
Can a dispensary open in a Maricopa County rural-residential zone?
No. Title XIII chapter 12 restricts dispensaries to C-2 and C-3 commercial zones. RU-43, RU-190, and similar rural-residential zones do not permit marijuana retail under any conditional use category.
May indoor cultivation share a building with retail?
Only if the parcel is zoned C-2 or C-3 with an industrial overlay or split zoning. Most operators separate retail and cultivation into different parcels because IND zoning is required for grows.
Compare other topics
See how Phoenix and Surprise 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