Tuolumne County Municipal Code Ch. 17.46 Cannabis and Hemp
Tuolumne County Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-10-02 · Tuolumne County
Sections in this part
Cite as: Tuolumne County Municipal Code Chapter 17.46 · Text as of 2026-10-02
Sections: 17.46.010 Findings. 17.46.020 Purpose and intent. 17.46.030 Relationship to other laws.
17.46.040 Definitions. 17.46.050 Regulations for the personal cultivation of cannabis. 17.46.060 Prohibited cultivation of cannabis declared a public nuisance. 17.46.065 Commercial cannabis activities requiring a state license prohibited. 17.46.066 Cultivation of hemp prohibited.
17.46.070 Enforcement responsibility.¶
Section 17.46.010 Findings.
The Board of Supervisors of the County of
Tuolumne finds and declares as follows:
A. In 1996, the voters of the State of
California approved Proposition 215 (codified
as California Health and Safety Code section
11362.5 and titled the “Compassionate Use
Act of 1996”).
B. The intent of Proposition 215 was to
enable persons who are in need of cannabis
for medical purposes to be able to obtain and
use it without fear of criminal prosecution
under limited, specified circumstances.
C. In 2004, Senate Bill 420 was enacted
(codified as California Health and Safety
Code section 11362.7 et seq. and titled the
“Medical Marijuana Program Act”) to clarify
the scope of the Compassionate Use Act of
1996. The Medical Marijuana Program Act
allows counties to adopt and enforce rules
and regulations consistent with its
provisions.
D. In 2011, Assembly Bill 2650 was
enacted (codified as California Health and
Safety Code section 11362.768). This law
affirms that counties can adopt ordinances
that restrict the location and establishment of
medical cannabis collectives and
cooperatives.
E. In 2015, Assembly Bills 243 and 266
and Senate Bill 643 were enacted (codified as
California Business and Professions Code
section 19300 et seq. and titled the “Medical
Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act”). These
bills also amended provisions of the Medical
Marijuana Program Act related to the
cultivation of medical cannabis.
F. In 2016, the voters of the State of
California approved Proposition 64 (codified
as California Health and Safety Code section
11362.1 et seq. and California Business and
Professions Code section 26000 et seq. and
titled the “Adult Use of Marijuana Act”).
G. The purpose of the Adult Use of
Marijuana Act was to establish a
comprehensive system to legalize, control
and regulate the cultivation, processing,
manufacture, distribution, testing, and sale of
nonmedical cannabis, including cannabis
products, for use by adults 21 years and
older, and to tax the commercial growth and
retail sale of cannabis. Additionally, the
Adult Use of Marijuana Act allows persons 21
years of age or older to possess, plant,
cultivate, harvest, dry or process not more
than six living cannabis plants within a single
private residence, or upon the grounds of
that private residence, at one time.
H. On June 27, 2017, Senate Bill 94 was
enacted, combining the Medical Cannabis
Regulation and Safety Act and the Adult Use
of Marijuana Act into the Medicinal and
Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety
Act.
I.
Pursuant to California Business and
Professions Code section 26200(a), nothing in
the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis
Regulation and Safety Act shall be
interpreted to supersede or limit the
authority of a local jurisdiction to adopt and
enforce local ordinances to completely
prohibit the establishment or operation of
one or more types of businesses licensed
under the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis
Regulation and Safety Act within the local
jurisdiction. Additionally, California Health
and Safety Code section 11362.2(b)
authorizes the County to enact and enforce
reasonable regulations regarding the
personal, non-commercial cultivation of
cannabis.
J. This Chapter is enacted, consistent
with the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, The
Medical Marijuana Program Act, and the
Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation
and Safety Act to protect the public health,
safety, and welfare of County of Tuolumne
residents in relation to the cultivation,
processing, manufacture, distribution,
testing, and sale of cannabis.
K. In Maral v. City of Live Oak (2013) 221
Cal.App.4th 975, the appellate court held that
neither the Compassionate Use Act nor the
Medical Marijuana Program Act preempt a
local jurisdiction’s police power to prohibit
the cultivation of cannabis within its
jurisdiction.
L. Although banned in Tuolumne
County under the principles of permissive
zoning, cannabis grows have been operating
in the County of Tuolumne for several years
and have been the subject of home
invasions, armed robberies with shots fired,
incidents with juveniles and young adults,
and closure and arrests of operators for
violation of both state and federal laws,
including seizure of illegal firearms. Other
public entities have documented violence
related to operation of cannabis grows.
Cannabis cultivation attracts crime and
associated violence and results in loitering,
increased traffic, noise, and a loss of trade for
other business located nearby. Cannabis
grows have proliferated in the County of
Tuolumne resulting in numerous complaints
by the public to the Sheriff and members of
the Board of Supervisors of prevalent
malodorous conditions and safety concerns.
M. The claim of many cannabis
cultivations as being designed to assist
authorized medical cannabis users fails to
consider the fact many cultivations have
simply served as avenues for the exportation
and distribution of cannabis for illegal use.
Further, cannabis cultivations have been
shown to involve avoidance of
environmental laws and regulations and
resulted in the pollution of waters and
navigable waterways in the County of
Tuolumne and beyond. Cannabis
cultivations are harmful to the welfare of the
surrounding community and its residents
and constitute a public nuisance. All of these
problems seem to worsen as the cultivations
become larger. Cannabis grows have been
found in Tuolumne County to be of
extraordinary size, measured in multiple
acres or otherwise in quantity far in excess of
what might be cultivated for medicinal use.
N. The federal Drug Enforcement
Administration reports that various types of
cannabis plants under various planting
conditions may yield averages of 236 grams,
or about ½ pound, to 846 grams, or nearly
two pounds. The “street value” of a single
cannabis plant is substantial. Pound prices
for domestically produced high grade
cannabis sold illegally within Northern
California can range from $1,500 to $3,000. A
single cannabis plant can easily yield $4,000
or more in salable cannabis. One pound can
yield 908 cannabis cigarettes.
O. Investigation of cultivations has
revealed that some property owners claim
not to know of cannabis cultivations on their
property or ignore cultivations, all to the
prejudice of the people in the surrounding
areas, and demonstrating the need for owner
responsibility for activities on their
properties.
P. Cannabis cultivation in the County of
Tuolumne poses an urgent and immediate
threat to the public peace, health, and safety.
Several cannabis cultivations have recently
emerged in the County of Tuolumne which
are very visible to the public, and easily
accessible by the public, including children
and youths. Some of these cultivations
contain hidden dangers that threaten severe
bodily harm or death to those who attempt to
access them. During the current harvest, and
each harvest and processing season, there is
an immediate threat of violent crime due to
the size, location, and monetary value of
these mature cannabis cultivations.
Q. According to the Tuolumne County
Sheriff, the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration, and as shown in other
counties, cannabis growers may go from
county to county, based on how vigorously
each locale may regulate grows, fostering
large criminal enterprises and prepared to
accept low risk in favor of large economic
reward, all to the disadvantage of the health
and welfare of the local population.
R. According to the Tuolumne County
Sheriff, the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration, and as shown in other
counties, cannabis cultivations create a
nuisance and threaten the safety and
property of nearby land owners and their
families. If cannabis grows are not
immediately regulated, large quantities of
illegal cannabis will be introduced into the
local market in the near term.
S. Cannabis, alone or in combination
with food products, may constitute a unique
health hazard to the public because, unlike all
other ingestibles, cannabis is not presently
regulated, inspected, or analyzed for
contamination by the state or federal
government and likely contains harmful
chemicals and contaminants from
unapproved sources that could endanger the
already poor health of ill persons and the
good health of others.
T. Cannabis varies in quality, with
significant variations in the concentration of
the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC). Consumers cannot accurately
ascertain the strength of the drug when they
buy it. Also, it cannot be assured that
customers will be adequately warned that
cannabis use impairs the user’s fine motor
skills and negatively affects the safe
operation of motor vehicles.
U. The County of Tuolumne has a
compelling interest in protecting the public
health, safety, and welfare of its citizens,
residents, visitors and businesses, in
preserving the peace and quiet of the
neighborhoods within the County and in
providing access to medical cannabis for ill
residents.
V. The adverse effects from cannabis
cultivation and distribution may increase as
the crop continues to grow, thereby requiring
quick action to protect the public.
W. Other counties in California have
encountered similar problems from the
unregulated cannabis grows and have
attempted to regulate them by ordinances
after their respective boards of supervisors
found such action to be necessary.
Investigations have revealed that some
growers have come to this County because it
does not have an express regulation to deal
with grows.
X. Nothing in this Chapter shall be
deemed to conflict with federal law as
contained in the Controlled Substances Act,
21 U.S.C. § 841 or to license any activity that
is prohibited under said Act except as
mandated by State law.
Y.
Nothing in this Chapter shall be
construed to: (1) allow persons to engage in
conduct that endangers others or causes a
public nuisance; (2) allow the use of cannabis
for nonmedical purposes in excess of that
authorized by the Medicinal and Adult-Use
Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act; or (3)
allow any activity relating to the cultivation,
distribution, or consumption of cannabis that
is illegal under state or federal law.
Z.
On December 20, 2018, the
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 was
signed into law allowing hemp cultivation far
more broadly than the previously allowed
pilot programs for studying market interest in
hemp-derived products. (Ord. 3389 § 2 (part),
2021)
AA. As of 11th day of January 2021 the
State of California had not received approval
from the United States Department of
Agriculture for their hemp production plan.
BB. Prohibiting hemp cultivation will
provide additional time for the County to
study the impacts associated with hemp
cultivation and to ensure that any regulations
and standards for hemp cultivation are
consistent with State and Federal regulations
which are not yet finalized.
CC. On September 18, 2022 SB1186 was
signed into law and enacted the Medicinal
Cannabis Patients’ Right of Access Act,
which, on and after January 1, 2024 prohibits
a local jurisdiction from adopting or
enforcing any regulation that prohibits the
retail sale by delivery within the local
jurisdiction of medicinal cannabis to
medicinal cannabis patients or their primary
caregivers by medicinal cannabis businesses,
as defined, or that has the effect of
prohibiting the retail sale by delivery within
the local jurisdiction of medicinal cannabis to
medicinal cannabis patients or their primary
caregivers in a timely and readily accessible
manner and in types and quantities that are
sufficient to meet demand from medicinal
cannabis patients within the local
jurisdiction, as specified.
17.46.020 Purpose and intent.¶
It is the purpose and intent of this Chapter to prohibit the commercial cultivation, processing, manufacture, distribution, testing, and sale of medical or nonmedical cannabis and hemp in order to protect the environment and preserve the public peace, health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens, residents and travelers through the County of Tuolumne and to implement reasonable regulations for the personal cultivation of cannabis, unless authorized by this chapter.
17.46.030 Relationship to other laws.¶
This Chapter is not intended to, nor shall it be construed or given effect in a manner that causes it to apply to, any activity that is regulated by federal or state law to the extent that application of this Chapter would conflict with such law or would unduly interfere with the achievement of federal or state regulatory purposes. It is the intention of the Board that this Chapter shall be interpreted to be compatible and consistent with federal, state, and County enactments and in furtherance of the public purposes which those enactments express. It is the intention that the provisions of this Chapter will supersede any other provisions of this Code found to be in conflict.
17.46.040 Definitions.¶
For purposes of this Chapter, these words
and phrases shall be defined as follows:
A. “Bureau” means the Bureau of
Cannabis Control within the California
Department of Consumer Affairs.
A. “Cannabis” shall have the same
definition as ‘cannabis’ as set forth in
California Business and Professions Code
section 26001(f) as it now reads or as
amended.
B. “Cannabis accessories” means any
equipment, products or materials of any
kind which are used, intended for use, or
designed for use in planting,
propagating, cultivating, growing,
harvesting, manufacturing,
compounding, converting, producing,
processing, preparing, testing,
analyzing, packaging, repackaging,
storing, smoking, vaporizing,, or
containing cannabis, or for ingesting,
inhaling, or otherwise introducing
cannabis or cannabis products into the
human body, as defined by Section
11018.2 of the California Health and
Safety Code.
C. “Cannabis concentrate” means cannabis
that has undergone a process to
concentrate one or more active
cannabinoids, thereby increasing the
product’s potency. Resin from granular
trichomes from a cannabis plant is a
concentrate for the purposes of this
division. A cannabis concentrate is not
considered food, as defined by Section
109935 of the California Health and
Safety Code or a drug, as defined by
Section 109925 of the California Health
and Safety Code.
D. “Cannabis Delivery Service License”
means a County of Tuolumne license
issued under this Section for a medicinal
cannabis retailer that is closed to the
public and conducts sales exclusively by
delivery.
E. “Cannabis products” means cannabis
that has undergone a process whereby
the plant material has been transformed
into a concentrate, including, but not
limited to, concentrated cannabis, or an
edible or topical product containing
cannabis or concentrated cannabis and
other ingredients, as defined by Section
11018.1 of the California Health and
Safety Code.
F. “Commercial cannabis activity”
includes the cultivation, possession,
manufacture, distribution, processing,
storing, laboratory testing, packaging,
labeling, transportation, delivery or sale
of cannabis and cannabis products.
G. “Customer” means a natural person 18
year of age or older who possesses a
physician’s
recommendation.
H. “Cultivate” or “cultivation” is the
planting, growing, harvesting, drying,
processing, or storage of one or more
cannabis plants or any part thereof in any
location and shall include the definition
as set forth in California Business and
Professions Code section 26001(l) as it
now reads or as amended.
I.
“Delivery” means the commercial
transfer of medical cannabis or medical
cannabis products to a customer.
Delivery must be made to a physical
address that is not on publicly owned
land, a school, a day care, or a youth
center.
J. “Department” means the Department of
Cannabis Control within the California
Business, Consumer Services, and
Housing Agency. Whenever “Bureau of
Cannabis Control,” “Bureau of Marijuana
Control,” “Bureau of Medical Cannabis
Regulation,” or “Bureau of Medical
Marijuana Regulation” appears in any
statute, regulation, or contract, or in any
other code, it shall be construed to refer
to the Department of Cannabis Control.
K. “Edible cannabis product” means
cannabis product that is intended to be
used, in whole or in part, for human
consumption, including, but not limited
to, chewing gum, but excluding products
set forth in Division 15 (commencing
with Section 32501) of the Food and
Agricultural Code. An edible cannabis
product is not considered food, as
defined by Section 109935 of the
California Health and Safety Code, or a
drug, as defined by Section 109925 of the
California Health and Safety Code.
L. “Youth-oriented facility” means any
facility that caters to or provides services
primarily intended for minors, or the
individuals who regularly patronize,
congregate or assemble at the
establishment are predominantly minors.
M. “Established agricultural research
institution” shall have the same meaning
as in Section 81000 of the California Food
and Agricultural Code.
N. “Hemp” shall have the same definition as
in Section 11018.5 of the California Health
and Safety Code.
O. “Hemp cultivation” means any activity
involving the planting, growing,
harvesting, drying, curing, grading, or
trimming of hemp, including activities
carried out by seed breeders.
P. “Identification card” means a
document issued by the State
Department of Health that identifies a
person authorized to engage in the
medicinal use of cannabis and the
person’s designated primary caregiver, if
any, as defined by Section 11362.7 of the
California Health and Safety Code.
Q. “Indoor” or “indoors” means within a
fully enclosed and secure structure that
has a complete roof enclosure supported
by connecting walls extending from the
ground to the roof, securely anchored,
and in compliance with Title 15, Buildings
and Construction, of this Code. The
structure shall be secure against
unauthorized entry, accessible only
through one or more lockable doors. For
purposes of this Chapter, cultivation
within a detached structure accessory to
the dwelling unit shall be considered
indoor cultivation if the structure satisfies
the requirements of this definition;
otherwise, it shall be considered outdoor
cultivation. Standard zoning setbacks
requirements apply to all accessory
structures.
R. “Labeling” means any label or other
written, printed, or graphic matter upon a
cannabis product, upon its container or
wrapper, or that accompanies any
cannabis product.
S. “License” means a County license issued
under this Section.
T. “Licensee” means any person holding a
license under this Section.
U. “Medicinal cannabis” or “medicinal
cannabis product” means cannabis or a
cannabis product, respectively, intended
to be sold for use pursuant to the
Compassionate Use Act of 1996
(Proposition 215), found at Section
11362.5 of the Health and Safety Code, by
a medicinal cannabis patient in California
who possessed a physician’s
recommendation.
V. “Medicinal cannabis business” means a
retailer authorized to engage in the retail
sale by delivery of medicinal cannabis to
medicinal cannabis patients pursuant to
an M-license.
W. “Medicinal cannabis patient” means a
qualified patient, as defined in Section
11362.7 of the Health and Safety Code,
who possesses a physician’s
recommendation that complies with
Article 25 (commencing with Section
2525) of Chapter 5 of Division 2, or a
qualified patient or primary caregiver for
a qualified patient issued a valid
identification card pursuant to Section
11362.71 of the Health and Safety Code.
X. “M-License” or “Medicinal License
means a state license issued pursuant
to California Business and Professions
Code Sections 26000 et. seq. for
commercial cannabis activity involving
medicinal cannabis or medicinal cannabis
products.
Y. “Outdoor” or “outdoors” means any
location that is not “indoor” or “indoors”
as defined in this Chapter.
Z. “Owner” means any of the following, as
defined in Section 26001 of the Business
and Professions Code:
a. A person with an aggregate
ownership interest of 20 percent or more
in the person applying for a license or a
licensee, unless the interest is solely a
security, lien, or encumbrance.
b. The chief executive officer of a
nonprofit or other entity.
c. A member of the board of directors of
a nonprofit.
d. An individual who will be
participating in the direction, control, or
management of the person applying for a
license.
AA. “Person” includes any individual, firm,
partnership, joint venture, association,
corporation, limited liability company,
estate, trust, business trust, receiver,
syndicate, or any other group or
combination acting as a unit, and the
plural as well as the singular.
BB. “Physician’s recommendation” means a
recommendation by a physician or
surgeon that a patient use cannabis
provided in accordance with the
Compassionate Use Act of 1996
(Proposition 215), found at Section
11362.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
CC. “Place of worship” means a structure or
leased portion of a structure, which is
used primarily for religious worship and
related religious activities.
DD. “Premises” means the designated
structure or structures and land specified
in the application that is owned, leased,
or otherwise held under the control of the
applicant or licensee where the
commercial cannabis activity will be or is
conducted. The premises shall be a
contiguous area and shall only be
occupied by one licensee.
EE. “Primary caregiver” has the same
meaning as in Section 11362.7 of the
Health and Safety
Code.
FF. “Purchaser” means the customer who is
engaged in a transaction with a licensee
for purposes
of obtaining cannabis or cannabis
products.
GG.
“Qualified patient” means a person
who is entitled to the protections of
Section 11362.5, but who does not have
an identification card issued, as defined
by Section 11362.7 of the Health and
Safety Code.
HH. “Retailer” means any commercial activity
that engages in retail sale and delivery of
cannabis or cannabis products to
customers. A retailer shall have a
licensed premise which is a physical
location from which commercial cannabis
activities are conducted. A retailer’s
premises shall be closed to the public. A
retailer shall conduct sales exclusively by
delivery, as defined in Section 26070 of
the Business and Professions Code and
amended by the County of Tuolumne.
II. “Sale”, “sell”, and “to sell” include any
transaction whereby, for any
consideration, title to cannabis or
cannabis products is transferred from
one person to another, and includes the
delivery of cannabis or cannabis
products pursuant to an order placed for
the purchase of the same and soliciting
or receiving an order for the same, but
does not include the return of cannabis or
cannabis products by a licensee to the
licensee from whom the cannabis or
cannabis product was purchased.
JJ. “School” means an institution of learning
for minors, whether public or private,
offering a regular course of instruction
required by the California Education
Code. This definition includes a nursery
school, kindergarten, elementary school,
middle or junior high school, senior high
school, or any special institution of
education, but it does not include a home
school, vocational or professional
institution of higher education, including
a community or junior college, college, or
university.
KK. “School evacuation site” means any
location designated by formal action of
the governing body, Superintendent, or
principal of any school as a location to
which juveniles are to be evacuated to, or
are to assemble at, in the event of an
emergency or other incident at the
school.
LL. “Seed Breeder” shall have the same
meaning as in Section 81000 of the
California Food and Agricultural Code.
MM.
“Sensitive uses” means schools,
school evacuation site, places of worship,
public parks, licensed family day care
home/day care center, youth-oriented
facilities, public libraries, playgrounds,
youth recreation centers, licensed drug or
alcohol recovery facilities, licensed sober
living facilities, and federal lands.
NN.
“Youth-oriented facility” means any
facility that caters to or provides services
primarily intended for minors, or the
individuals who regularly patronize,
congregate or assemble at the
establishment are predominantly minors.
17.46.050 Regulations for the personal cultivation of cannabis.¶
A. The cultivation of cannabis for personal, non-commercial use shall be restricted by zoning district as follows:
Zoning1
Outdoor
Permitted?
Indoor
Plant
Allowance
(Per
Dwelling
Unit)
Maximum
Outdoor Plant
Allowance (Per
Parcel)2
Total Outdoor
Cultivation
Area (Square
Feet)
Setback
(Feet)
Of Outdoor
Cultivation
R-1, R-2, R-3, C-1,
C-2, C-S, C-K, C-O,
MU, BP, M-1, M-2,
K, TPZ
No
6
0
N/A
N/A
RE-1, RE-2, RE-3,
RE-5, RE-10
Yes
6
6
100
100
A-10, A-20, AE-37
Yes
6
123
1000
100
- Any primary zoning district not listed herein shall follow the same restrictions as set forth for the R-1 zoning district.
- Outdoor plant allowance is not additive; any outdoor cultivation reduces the number of plants allowed to be cultivated indoors.
- For parcels with a single occupied legal dwelling unit, a valid physician’s recommendation, as defined in Business and Professions Code section 26001(ao), as may be amended from time to time, shall be required for cultivation in excess of 6 plants.
B. Regulations applicable to all personal,
non-commercial cultivation.
1.
Cultivation shall not be visible from
any adjacent public right of way or
public place.
2.
Except for temporary use in case of
emergency power loss, the use of
generators to supply power to any
system or activity associated with
cannabis cultivation is prohibited.
3.
The use of gas products such as, but
not limited to, CO2, butane, methane,
or any other flammable or non-
flammable gas for cannabis
cultivation or processing is
prohibited.
4.
Cultivation may only occur on parcels
containing a legal dwelling unit and
the individual cultivating shall reside
in the dwelling unit on the parcel
where cultivation occurs on a
permanent basis. Cultivation is
prohibited in relation to a dwelling
unit with no permanent resident.
5.
If the person(s) cultivating cannabis
on any parcel is/are not the legal
owner(s) of the parcel, such person(s)
shall obtain and provide a notarized
letter upon request by an enforcing
officer from the legal owner(s)
consenting to the cultivation of
cannabis on the parcel. Nothing
contained herein shall limit the
property owner’s right to deny or
revoke permission to allow cannabis
cultivation as set forth by State law.
6.
All structures and equipment used for
cultivation, processing or storing of
cannabis for personal use shall
comply with all applicable building,
electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and
fire code regulations as adopted by
the County and/or State.
7.
Cultivation shall comply with all
applicable requirements of County,
State and Federal environmental and
water regulations related to water
usage, storm water management and
fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide, and
rodenticide storage and use.
C. Regulations for Indoor Cultivation
- Filtration and ventilation systems shall be designed and installed to prevent the accumulation of humidity and/or mold.
- Indoor cultivation shall occur in such a manner as to minimize cannabis plant odors from exiting the interior of the structure. This may include odor control filtration and ventilation system(s).
- Light systems utilized in connection with cannabis cultivation shall comply with all applicable provisions of Title 15 of this Code, and shall be shielded, including adequate coverings on windows, so as to confine light and glare to the interior of the structure.
- When cultivation occurs within a dwelling unit, said unit shall maintain fully functional kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. The dwelling unit shall not be used primarily or exclusively for cannabis cultivation.
- Cannabis cultivation shall not come within twelve (12) inches of the ceiling or any cultivation lighting.
- Indoor cultivation shall occur within a contiguous area, not to exceed one hundred (100) square feet. This subsection does not apply to accessory structures meeting the definition of “indoor.”
- Accessory structures that meet the
definition of “indoor” can be utilized
for indoor cultivation.
C. Regulations for Indoor Cultivation - Filtration and ventilation systems shall be designed and installed to prevent the accumulation of humidity and/or mold.
- Indoor cultivation shall occur in such a manner as to minimize cannabis plant odors from exiting the interior of the structure. This may include odor control filtration and ventilation system(s).
- Light systems utilized in connection with cannabis cultivation shall comply with all applicable provisions of Title 15 of this Code, and shall be shielded, including adequate coverings on windows, so as to confine light and glare to the interior of the structure.
- When cultivation occurs within a dwelling unit, said unit shall maintain fully functional kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. The dwelling unit shall not be used primarily or exclusively for cannabis cultivation.
- Cannabis cultivation shall not come within twelve (12) inches of the ceiling or any cultivation lighting.
- Indoor cultivation shall occur within a contiguous area, not to exceed one hundred (100) square feet. This subsection does not apply to accessory structures meeting the definition of “indoor.”
- Accessory structures that meet the
definition of “indoor” can be utilized
for indoor cultivation.
D. Regulations for Outdoor Cultivation - All cannabis grown outdoors shall be fully enclosed by an opaque fence at least six (6) feet in height. The fence shall provide adequate security, including but not limited to, a lockable gate or door, to prevent unauthorized access. Landscaping, plastic sheeting, or cloth material (tarpaulins) shall not constitute an adequate fence for the purposes of this subsection. Fences greater than seven (7) feet in height may require a building permit. Fences are subject to all other applicable development standards established by this Code.
- The cultivation area shall be contiguous using the outside boundaries of the cannabis plants and including all of the space within the
boundaries. The square footage of the cultivation area is measured horizontally starting from the outermost point of the furthest cannabis plant and continuing around the outside of all cannabis plants located within the cultivation area. 3. The outdoor cultivation of cannabis, in any amount or quantity, within one thousand (1,000) feet of any sensitive use is prohibited. The distance shall be measured in a straight line from the boundary line of the parcel upon which cannabis is cultivated to the boundary line of the parcel upon which the sensitive use is located. If the parcel on which the cannabis is being cultivated is twenty (20) acres or greater in size, the distance shall be measured from the fenced area in which the cannabis is cultivated to the boundary line of the parcel upon which the sensitive use is located. E. In addition to the regulations set forth in Sections B and C, accessory structures that meet the definition of “indoor” and utilize transparent or translucent building material for walls shall comply with the regulations set forth in Section D(1) and (3).
17.46.060 Prohibited cultivation of cannabis¶
declared a public nuisance. Notwithstanding Chapter 17.46 of this Code, the establishment, maintenance, or operation of any prohibited cultivation of cannabis, as defined in this Chapter, within the unincorporated areas of the County of Tuolumne is declared to be a public nuisance and each property owner or other responsible person is subject to abatement and administrative penalties as provided for by this Code. In the event a new sensitive use is sited within one thousand (1000) feet of a parcel engaging in cultivation within a transparent or translucent accessory structure pursuant to Section 17.46.050(E) and otherwise compliant with the provisions of this Chapter, said cultivation shall be treated as a nonconforming use pursuant to Chapter 17.32 of this Code. In the event a new sensitive use is sited within one thousand (1000) feet of a parcel engaging in outdoor cultivation pursuant to Section 17.46.050(D) and otherwise compliant with the provisions of this Chapter, the parcel shall have eighteen (18) months to convert said cultivation to indoor cultivation.
17.46.065 Applicability.¶
A cannabis delivery service business is only allowable within the following zoning districts, M-1 (Light Industrial), M-2 (Heavy Industrial), C-1 (General Commercial), C-2 (Heavy Commercial), and BP (Business Park), with a Cannabis Delivery Service License.
17.46.067 Site and Operation¶
Requirements.
A. A cannabis delivery service business
shall not be allowed within the specified
distances to the following uses that are in
existence at the time the license is issued.
The distance specified in this Section
shall be measured in the same manner as
provided in subdivision (c) of Section
11362.768 of the Health and Safety Code,
as may be amended from time to time.
Specifically, the following distance
requirements shall apply:
- Within a 1,000 foot radius of a
school, day care center, or youth
center as required by Section
26054 of the Business and
Professions Code.
B. The cannabis delivery service shall be located in a fixed structure, shall not be open to the public, and a retail storefront is prohibited. No delivery of cannabis shall occur within the structure or on the premises thereof.
C. All cannabis delivery service businesses are limited to 5,000 square feet of gross floor area and parking shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 17.22.
D. Landscaping shall comply with Chapter 15.28. E. The entire exterior ground, including the parking lot, shall be provided with lighting which is energy efficient,
stationary and directed away from adjoining properties and public rights-of- way. No lighting shall spill over adjacent property lines.
F. Any licensee operating a cannabis
delivery service shall implement security
measures reasonably designed to
prevent unauthorized entrance into areas
containing cannabis or cannabis products
and theft of cannabis or cannabis
products from the premises. The use of
exterior security cameras is allowed;
however, in no cases shall window
security bars be installed on the exterior
of any building façade.
G. Any licensee operating a cannabis
delivery service shall prohibit public
access to the facility and reasonable
security measures shall be in place to
preclude public access to the interior of
the facility.
H. Any vehicle used for the cannabis
delivery service shall not be marked with
any advertising or signage related to the
licensed business or cannabis products.
I. A licensee must deliver the cannabis
and/or cannabis project to the medical
cannabis patient. The cannabis and/or
cannabis product shall not be left
unattended and accessible to any other
individual.
17.46.068 Review and action on applications.¶
A Cannabis Delivery Service License shall
only be issued following approval of a
Zoning Clearance in compliance with Chapter
17.100, and a Site Development Permit in
compliance with Chapter 17.100 as
applicable.
A. Term of license. Licenses issued under
this Chapter shall be valid at the licensed
premises for twelve months from the
date of issuance, and may be extended
for another 12 months provided all of the
following criteria are met:
- The licensee is in compliance
with all conditions of approval
and/or mitigation
measures associated with a Site Development as applicable. - The licensee is operating at the
approved physical location and all
operating criteria are
in compliance with Section 17.46.067. - The licensee is operating with a valid State-issued “M-retailer” license.
- The licensee complies with all applicable State laws.
B. The license may only be extended for a period of 12 months. At the end of the term of the extension, a new license will be required to be obtained.
C. If a licensee ceases to operate from the licensed physical location or premises for a period of 60 days or more, the license shall become null and void.
D. The Community Development Department shall conduct annual monitoring of each licensee to ensure the cannabis delivery service business follows all aspects of its license. Any licensees deemed not in compliance may be subject to license suspension, modification or revocation as provided in this Chapter.
E. A licensee shall be responsible for paying an annual license monitoring fee. This fee shall cover the full cost borne by the County to administer the licensing program and all responsibilities established in this Chapter.
F. Any license issued under the terms of this Chapter may be suspended, modified, or revoked by the review authority for cause including but not limited to violation of any of the requirements or provisions of this Chapter or State law, or conflicts with State law.
- Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, no license shall be suspended, modified, or revoked until written notice of the intent to consider revocation or suspension of the license has been served upon the person to whom the license was granted at least 30 days prior to the date set for such review. Such notice shall contain a brief statement of the ground to be relied
upon for revoking or suspending
such license. Notice may be given
either by personal delivery to the
person to be notified, or by
depositing it in the U.S. mail in a
sealed envelope, postage prepaid,
return receipt requested, addressed
to the person to be notified at
his/her address as it appears in
his/her application for a license.
2. If any person or owner holding a
license or acting under the
authority of such license under this
Chapter is convicted of a public
offense in any court for the
violation of any law which relates to
his or her license, the Community
Development Director may revoke
such license forthwith without any
further action thereof, other than
giving notice of revocation to the
licensee.
3. If any licensee’s State license is
suspended, or revoked, the County
license shall be deemed suspended
for the same period of time as the
State license, or revoked, as
applicable, effective on the date of
suspension or revocation of the
State license.
4. The licensee shall provide notice
to the Community Development
Director of any
suspension, revocation, or
modification of the State license.
G. A licensee shall not operate under the authority of a medicinal cannabis delivery service or retailer’s license at any place other than the address stated in the application for the license.
- The license is nontransferable
unless the transferee obtains an
amendment to the license from the
Community Development Director
stating that the transferee is now
the licensee. Such an amendment may only be obtained if the transferee files an application with the Community Development Department in accordance with all provisions of this Chapter accompanied by a transfer fee in an amount set by resolution of the County, and the Community Development Director determines in accordance with this Chapter that the transferee would be entitled to the issuance of an original license. - No license may be transferred when the Community Development Director has notified the licensee that the license has been or may be suspended or revoked.
- Any attempt to transfer a license either directly or indirectly in violation of this Chapter is void, and the license shall be deemed revoked.
H. It is unlawful for any person to violate any provision or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this Chapter. A violation of this Chapter shall be punishable in accordance with the Chapter 1.10 of this Ordinance Code.
I. All forms of on-site consumption are
prohibited within a cannabis delivery service
business and the general public shall be
prohibited from accessing any portions of
the facility and conducting any retail sales
therein. This restriction does not apply to
access associated with operation of the
facility, including employees associated with
commercial deliveries, regulatory functions,
testing labs, and similar necessary business
activities.
17.46.070 Cultivation of hemp prohibited.¶
The cultivation of hemp, including the cultivation of hemp by established agricultural research institutions is prohibited in all zones.
17.46.071 Enforcement responsibility.¶
Notwithstanding Section 17.104.020, this Chapter shall be enforced as provided for in Chapter 1.10 of this Code by the Code Compliance Officer and the Tuolumne County Sheriff and/or their designees. The Sheriff’s primary role shall be to ensure safety and provide technical support.
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