Vacaville, CA Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)

Chapter 9.14, Personal Home Cannabis Cultivation, was added by Ordinance 1934 on December 11, 2018 to regulate legal adult and medical cannabis after California's Proposition 64. Section 9.14.030, titled "Prohibition," bars outdoor cultivation citywide in subsection A and, separately, bars any cannabis activity on public lands in subsection D, a phrase broad enough to cover smoking, vaping, or simply possessing cannabis for use on city property, not just growing it. The chapter's findings in Section 9.14.010 state the ordinance regulates cannabis for public health, safety and welfare, and that nothing authorizes conduct barred by the federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C.

Section 800 et seq. Vacaville police and code enforcement officers cite violators under Section 9.14.070, Civil Penalties, administered under Government Code Sections 36901 and 53069.4: an administrative fine of up to $100 for a first violation, up to $200 for a second violation within any 12 consecutive months, and up to $500 for a third or later violation within that same 12-month window. Section 9.14.080 makes each day a violation continues a separate offense, and the City Attorney may instead bring a civil action for an injunction and civil penalties, recovering attorneys' fees from the losing party under Section 9.14.070(C).

The chapter also declares personal cannabis activity that causes excessive odor, noise, or light a public nuisance under Section 9.14.060, enforceable on written complaint of three or more separate-residence neighbors.