Dispensary Zoning: Seminole vs St. Petersburg
How do dispensary zoning rules compare between Seminole, FL and St. Petersburg, FL?
Seminole and St. Petersburg have similar restriction levels.
Seminole, FL
Pinellas County
Florida Statute 381.986 restricts Seminole's authority over Medical Marijuana Treatment Center dispensaries. The city must treat MMTCs the same as pharmacies in zoning, or ban them entirely. No middle-ground regulation is permitted.
View full Seminole rules →St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg permits medical marijuana treatment center dispensaries under the same zoning rules as pharmacies per Florida Statute 381.986(11), with the 500-foot school buffer applying citywide.
View full St. Petersburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Seminole | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| Dispensary regulation | Pharmacy parity or ban | - |
| Governing statute | FS 381.986(11) | - |
| Custom buffers | Not allowed | - |
| Recreational sales | Prohibited statewide | - |
| Licensing authority | OMMU only | - |
| State statute | - | FS 381.986(11) |
| Treated as | - | Pharmacy |
| School buffer | - | 500 feet |
| Local code | - | Chapter 16 LDR |
| Local ban | - | Not adopted |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Seminole FAQ
Are medical marijuana dispensaries allowed in Seminole?
Florida law requires cities to either treat dispensaries like pharmacies in zoning or ban them entirely. Check with Seminole Planning for current local status.
Can Seminole add buffer zones around dispensaries?
No, FS 381.986(11) prohibits dispensary-specific zoning beyond what applies to retail pharmacies. Custom distance requirements are preempted by state law.
Will recreational dispensaries open if Florida legalizes?
Local zoning authority would depend on the legalization framework adopted. Currently, recreational cannabis sales are not legal in Florida.
St. Petersburg FAQ
Where can a medical marijuana dispensary open in St. Petersburg?
Dispensaries are allowed wherever a pharmacy is permitted under Chapter 16 land development regulations, generally commercial and mixed-use corridors, subject to a 500-foot buffer from K-12 schools.
Can St. Petersburg ban dispensaries?
Yes. Florida Statute 381.986(11) gives cities the option to either ban MMTC dispensaries entirely or treat them like pharmacies. St. Petersburg has chosen the pharmacy-equivalent path.
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