Riverside County — Commercial Cannabis & Hemp

Cannabis Cultivation Standards

Indoor and mixed-light cannabis cultivation cannot be in an agricultural preserve or on a Williamson Act land-conservation-contract lot. Cultivation is also prohibited on natural slopes of 25% or greater. § 17.302.120.A.2–3

For indoor cannabis, applicable zone setbacks control. For mixed-light operations, the more restrictive standard controls if the cannabis rule conflicts with the base-zone standard; use the parcel’s Riverside County Land Use designation and zoning standards together. § 17.302.120

• Mixed-light cultivation area: at least 50 ft from lot lines and public rights-of-way; 100 ft for medium mixed-light cultivation. § 17.302.120.D.2.a–b
• Mixed-light cultivation area: at least 50 ft from riparian-vegetation drip lines and 100 ft from an adjacent residentially zoned lot. § 17.302.120.D.2.c, e
• Greenhouses, hoop structures, and similar mixed-light structures: at least 6 ft apart. § 17.302.120.D.2.d
• Mixed-light fencing: a solid, durable, locked 6-ft minimum secure fence; no barbed wire or plastic sheeting on chain link. § 17.302.120.E
• Supplemental mixed-light illumination: no more than 25 watts per sq. ft. for up to 1 hour before sunrise or after sunset unless light-blocking measures prevent light escape. § 17.302.120.F.1
• Indoor cultivation must include onsite renewable-energy generation; every cultivation operation must address projected energy demand and minimize water use. §§ 17.302.120.G–H
• Waste must be secured and disposed of within 7 calendar days; generators are emergency-only and must be included in the CUP. § 17.302.120.I.3–4

Cannabis cultivation in A-1, A-P, A-2, and A-D may not include cannabis retail sales. A cultivation operator may perform only its own transport-only distribution if it has the required state transport-only license and CUP. §§ 17.302.120.I.5, 17.302.120.J

District-by-District Permissions

The subsections below cover each district affirmatively identified in the source materials for cannabis cultivation and/or hemp activity. District purpose, ordinary non-cannabis uses, and base dimensional standards are not found in source materials; verify those standards, including any Riverside County Overlay Districts, with the jurisdiction.

A-1

A-1 allows indoor cannabis cultivation at the zone’s minimum lot size and mixed-light cannabis cultivation from 1 gross acre for specialty cottage through 2.5 gross acres for small activity. Medium mixed-light cannabis cultivation is not listed for A-1. § 17.302.120.B

Indoor industrial hemp cultivation is allowed with an approved plot plan and agricultural commissioner registration. A-1 also allows non-volatile hemp manufacturing with a plot plan, volatile manufacturing with a CUP, and wholesale nurseries: outdoor on 2 gross acres, mixed-light on 1 gross acre, and indoor only in the listed industrial zones rather than A-1. §§ 17.306.060, 17.306.080, 17.302.130

A-P

A-P allows indoor cannabis cultivation at the zone’s minimum lot size and specialty cottage, specialty, and small mixed-light cultivation at 1, 1.5, and 2.5 gross acres, respectively. § 17.302.120.B

Indoor hemp cultivation, non-volatile hemp manufacturing, volatile hemp manufacturing, and outdoor or mixed-light cannabis wholesale nurseries are listed subject to their applicable plot-plan or CUP approval and acreage thresholds. §§ 17.306.060, 17.306.080, 17.302.130

A-2

A-2 allows indoor cannabis cultivation at the zone’s minimum lot size. It also allows mixed-light specialty cottage, specialty, small, and medium cultivation at minimums of 1, 1.5, 2.5, and 5 gross acres, respectively. § 17.302.120.B

Indoor hemp cultivation and hemp manufacturing are allowed under the listed approval paths. Outdoor and mixed-light cannabis wholesale nurseries are listed at 2 gross acres and 1 gross acre, respectively. §§ 17.306.060, 17.306.080, 17.302.130

A-D

A-D allows indoor cannabis cultivation at the zone’s minimum lot size and mixed-light specialty cottage, specialty, and small cultivation at 1, 1.5, and 2.5 gross acres. Medium mixed-light cultivation is not listed. § 17.302.120.B

Indoor hemp cultivation, both listed hemp-manufacturing types, and outdoor or mixed-light cannabis wholesale nurseries are permitted only through the specified permit paths. §§ 17.306.060, 17.306.080, 17.302.130

C-1/C-P

C-1/C-P allows indoor cannabis cultivation for specialty cottage, specialty, and small activity at the underlying zone’s minimum lot size. It also allows indoor hemp cultivation with an approved plot plan and agricultural commissioner registration. §§ 17.302.120.B.1, 17.306.060

Mixed-light cannabis cultivation, cannabis wholesale nurseries, and hemp manufacturing are not listed in C-1/C-P in the source materials. Base district purpose and dimensional standards are not found in source materials.

C-P-S

C-P-S allows indoor specialty cottage, specialty, and small cannabis cultivation at the underlying zone minimum lot size. Indoor industrial hemp cultivation is likewise listed with a plot plan and agricultural commissioner registration. §§ 17.302.120.B.1, 17.306.060

The source materials do not list mixed-light cannabis cultivation, cannabis wholesale nurseries, or hemp manufacturing in C-P-S. Verify base development standards with the jurisdiction.

I-P

I-P allows indoor cannabis cultivation, including medium activity, at the zone’s minimum lot size. It also allows indoor hemp cultivation by plot plan and permits non-volatile hemp manufacturing by plot plan and volatile hemp manufacturing by CUP. §§ 17.302.120.B.1, 17.306.060, 17.306.080

Indoor cannabis wholesale nurseries are allowed in I-P with a CUP. For hemp manufacturing in I-P, the district’s own lot-size standard applies rather than the 20-gross-acre standard. §§ 17.302.130.A.2, 17.306.090.C

M-SC

M-SC allows indoor cannabis cultivation, including medium activity, at the zone minimum lot size. Indoor hemp cultivation and both categories of hemp manufacturing are also listed, with plot-plan approval for non-volatile manufacturing and a CUP for volatile manufacturing. §§ 17.302.120.B.1, 17.306.060, 17.306.080

Indoor cannabis wholesale nurseries are allowed with a CUP. Hemp manufacturing follows M-SC base lot-size standards rather than the otherwise applicable 20 gross acres. §§ 17.302.130.A.2, 17.306.090.C

M-M

M-M allows indoor cannabis cultivation, including medium activity, at the zone minimum lot size. It also allows indoor hemp cultivation and non-volatile or volatile hemp manufacturing through the respective plot-plan or CUP route. §§ 17.302.120.B.1, 17.306.060, 17.306.080

Indoor cannabis wholesale nurseries are allowed with a CUP. The M-M zone lot-size standard governs hemp manufacturing instead of the general 20-gross-acre requirement. §§ 17.302.130.A.2, 17.306.090.C

M-H

M-H allows indoor cannabis cultivation, including medium activity, at the zone minimum lot size. Indoor hemp cultivation and both non-volatile and volatile hemp manufacturing are also listed. §§ 17.302.120.B.1, 17.306.060, 17.306.080

Indoor cannabis wholesale nurseries are allowed with a CUP. Hemp manufacturing uses the applicable M-H lot-size standard, not the general 20-gross-acre rule. §§ 17.302.130.A.2, 17.306.090.C

R-R

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-R. Outdoor industrial hemp cultivation is prohibited on lots under 20 gross acres and allowed on lots of 20 gross acres or more only with a CUP, subject to water and geographic prohibitions. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.020.C, 17.306.040

Indoor and outdoor hemp cultivation is prohibited on an R-R lot without qualifying water-purveyor service or a permitted onsite in-ground well existing by the ordinance’s effective date. § 17.306.020.E

R-A

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-A. Outdoor industrial hemp cultivation is prohibited below 20 gross acres and may be allowed at 20 gross acres or more with a CUP, subject to the chapter’s water and geographic restrictions. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.020.C, 17.306.040

Indoor and outdoor hemp cultivation is prohibited on an R-A lot that lacks the required water source described in § 17.306.020.E. § 17.306.020.E

W-2

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in W-2. Outdoor industrial hemp cultivation is prohibited on a W-2 lot under 5 gross acres. The provided source materials do not establish the affirmative approval route for outdoor hemp on qualifying W-2 acreage; verify with the jurisdiction. § 17.306.020.D

R-R-O

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-R-O. The source materials identify R-R-O as a residentially zoned adjacency that triggers the 300-ft outdoor-hemp cultivation setback, but do not otherwise establish affirmative hemp permissions for this district. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

R-1

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-1. The source materials identify R-1 as a residentially zoned adjacency requiring a 300-ft outdoor-hemp cultivation setback; no affirmative hemp permission in R-1 is established here. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

R-1A

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-1A. It is also among the listed residential-zone adjacencies that trigger a 300-ft outdoor-hemp cultivation setback. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

R-2

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-2. The source materials list R-2 as a residential adjacency for the 300-ft outdoor-hemp cultivation setback but do not establish affirmative hemp permissions there. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

R-2A

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-2A. Its relevant identified hemp standard is the 300-ft setback for an outdoor hemp cultivation area on an adjoining lot. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

R-3

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-3. It is a listed residential adjacency requiring a 300-ft outdoor-hemp cultivation setback. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

R-3A

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-3A. The source materials identify it only as a prohibited cannabis district and a residential adjacency for the 300-ft outdoor-hemp setback. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

R-T

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-T. Outdoor hemp cultivation next to an R-T lot must observe the 300-ft cultivation-area setback. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

R-T-R

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-T-R. It is also listed as a residential adjacency for the 300-ft outdoor-hemp setback. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

R-4

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-4. The chapter treats an adjoining R-4 lot as requiring a 300-ft outdoor-hemp cultivation-area setback. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

R-5

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-5. An adjacent R-5 lot triggers the 300-ft outdoor-hemp cultivation setback. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

R-6

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-6. The identified hemp-related standard is the 300-ft setback when outdoor hemp cultivation adjoins an R-6 lot. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

R-7

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-7. It is a listed residential adjacency requiring a 300-ft outdoor-hemp cultivation setback. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

C-T

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in C-T. Hemp permissions, district purpose, and dimensional standards are not found in source materials. § 17.302.050

C-R

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in C-R. Hemp permissions, district purpose, and dimensional standards are not found in source materials. § 17.302.050

C-O

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in C-O. Hemp permissions, district purpose, and dimensional standards are not found in source materials. § 17.302.050

R-VC

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in R-VC. Hemp permissions, district purpose, and dimensional standards are not found in source materials. § 17.302.050

C/V

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in C/V. Existing outdoor industrial hemp cultivation with an agricultural commissioner registration predating the 2020 ordinance could continue for 2 years, after which it had to comply with the chapter and other applicable laws. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.030.D

C-C/V

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in C-C/V. Existing registered outdoor hemp cultivation is addressed by the 2-year transition provision, but affirmative new hemp permissions are not established in the supplied text. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.030.D

WC-R

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in WC-R. An adjoining WC-R lot triggers the 300-ft outdoor-hemp cultivation setback. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

WC-W

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in WC-W. It is listed as an adjacency requiring a 300-ft outdoor-hemp cultivation setback. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

WC-WE

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in WC-WE. An adjoining WC-WE lot triggers the 300-ft outdoor-hemp cultivation setback. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

WC-E

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in WC-E. The source materials identify WC-E as requiring the 300-ft outdoor-hemp cultivation setback when adjoining the cultivation lot. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

W-2-M

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in W-2-M. An adjoining W-2-M lot triggers the 300-ft outdoor-hemp cultivation setback. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.070.B.2.a

W-1

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in W-1. Existing registered outdoor hemp cultivation is addressed only through the ordinance’s 2-year transition rule; new-use authority is not found in source materials. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.030.D

W-E

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in W-E. Existing registered outdoor hemp cultivation is identified in the 2-year transition provision; other affirmative hemp permissions are not found in source materials. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.030.D

M-R

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in M-R. Existing registered outdoor hemp cultivation was subject to the 2-year transition provision; new-use authority is not found in source materials. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.030.D

M-R-A

Commercial cannabis activities are prohibited in M-R-A. Existing registered outdoor hemp cultivation is addressed only through the 2-year transition provision in the supplied text. §§ 17.302.050, 17.306.030.D

Industrial Hemp Operating Standards

Industrial hemp needs all required land-use permits, licenses, registrations, and entitlements. Activities not expressly exempted or authorized by an approved CUP or plot plan plus agricultural commissioner registration are prohibited in all zones. §§ 17.306.020.A, 17.306.030.A

Indoor hemp cultivation is allowed by approved plot plan in C-1/C-P, C-P-S, I-P, M-SC, M-M, M-H, A-1, A-P, A-2, and A-D, and it requires agricultural commissioner registration. § 17.306.060

• Indoor hemp cultivation must be fully enclosed; it follows base-zone setbacks, but must be at least 25 ft from every lot line if adjacent to residential zoning. § 17.306.070.B.1
• Outdoor hemp cultivation needs 300 ft from an adjoining listed residential-zone lot; otherwise, it needs 25 ft from lot lines and rights-of-way, plus 50 ft from riparian-vegetation drip lines. § 17.306.070.B.2
• Indoor hemp must have onsite renewable energy with generation potential of at least 20% of anticipated demand, except greenhouses and similar structures. § 17.306.070.C
• Water requires a purveyor “Will Serve” letter or a qualifying permitted onsite in-ground well. Trucked offsite water cannot serve commercial or domestic potable supplies. § 17.306.070.E
• Outdoor supplemental lighting is capped at 25 watts per sq. ft. for up to 1 hour before sunrise or after sunset unless light is fully blocked; outdoor hemp must display at least one 3-ft by 3-ft entrance sign identifying the cultivation. § 17.306.070.F.4, G

Hemp manufacturing must be 1,000 ft from protected youth-serving uses, have 25-ft minimum setbacks, and generally needs a 20-gross-acre lot outside I-P, M-SC, M-M, and M-H. Non-volatile manufacturing uses a plot plan; volatile manufacturing uses a CUP. §§ 17.306.080, 17.306.090

For signage, use the County’s Riverside County Signage rules as supplemented by the hemp-specific prohibitions on illumination, banners, flags, billboards, air dancers, and signs blocking entrances, exits, or windows. § 17.306.100.H

Checklist

• Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Riverside County and identify its actual zoning district. §§ 17.302.010, 17.306.010
• Confirm the proposed cannabis or hemp activity is affirmatively allowed in that district. §§ 17.302.020.A, 17.306.020.A
• For commercial cannabis, obtain a CUP, Board-approved development agreement, and state license; file for the state license within 60 days after final County approval. § 17.302.060.B, E
• For hemp, obtain the required CUP or plot plan and agricultural commissioner registration. §§ 17.306.020.A, 17.306.060
• Map the 1,000-ft protected-use separation and applicable lot, setback, slope, water, and geographic limits. §§ 17.302.120.A–D, 17.306.020, 17.306.070
• Design odor, lighting, waste, water-conservation, and energy measures required for the activity. §§ 17.302.060.F, 17.302.120.G–I, 17.306.070.C–F
• Obtain applicable building and fire approvals under the California Building Standards Code for hemp buildings and structures. § 17.306.100.K.2
• Confirm required parking, signs, hazardous-material controls, and inspection access. § 17.306.100.G–K

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

In unincorporated Riverside County, commercial cannabis is tightly controlled: it cannot be outdoors or in a home, needs a CUP, state license, and development agreement, and must control odors. Industrial hemp has more listed cultivation and manufacturing paths, but it still needs County approval, agricultural commissioner registration where required, water proof, separation from sensitive uses, and strict site controls. §§ 17.302.020, 17.302.060, 17.306.020, 17.306.070

Source References

• § 17.302.010 — purpose and scope of commercial cannabis regulation.
• §§ 17.302.020, 17.302.030, 17.302.050, 17.302.060 — cannabis prohibitions, applicability, prohibited zones, permits, operating rules.
• §§ 17.302.120–17.302.130 — cannabis cultivation and wholesale-nursery standards.
• §§ 17.306.010, 17.306.020, 17.306.030, 17.306.040 — hemp purpose, prohibitions, applicability, and identified outdoor-hemp acreage standards.
• §§ 17.306.060–17.306.110 — hemp cultivation, manufacturing, permit, and approval standards.
• Riverside County zoning & planning overview
• Riverside County Agricultural Zones