Cannabis Businesses
The City's cannabis business regulations can be found in Chapter 17.33 of the Brisbane Municipal Code. Learn more about what business are allowed and where they may be located.
Latest News
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The City Council's consideration of draft storefront retail regulations has been tabled indefinitely. Current regulations do not allow storefront retail cannabis (current business regulations are summarized below).
Past News
- The Planning Commission recommended City Council approval of draft regulations to allow up to 4 storefront retail cannabis businesses in the City at a special meeting on Thursday, December 5, 2019.
- On October 24, 2019, the Planning Commission held a second public workshop to discuss storefront retail cannabis business regulations. Meeting video of the workshop is available on the City's YouTube channel. See below to access the staff presentation.
- On July 25, 2019, the Planning Commission held a public workshop to discuss storefront retail cannabis business regulations. Meeting video of the workshop is available on the City's YouTube channel. See below to access the staff presentation.
- The City Council initiated zoning text amendments to the City's existing cannabis business regulations to regulate storefront retail cannabis business at their June 20, 2019 meeting.
Questions about current cannabis business regulations and the permitting process for cannabis businesses may be directed to the Community Development Department.
"Where and How Can I Establish My Cannabis Business?"
The current Ordinance allows cannabis warehousing/distribution, manufacturing, and delivery-only retail with the approval of a Use Permit in the Crocker Industrial Park (TC-1 District), and lab testing in the Southwest Bayshore area (SCRO-1 District) with the approval of a Use Permit. Cannabis lab testing is allowed by right (no Use Permit required) in the M-1 Manufacturing District, Sierra Point (SP-CRO District), Crocker Industrial Park (TC-1 District), and Southeast Bayshore Trade Commercial District (TC-2 District). Commercial cultivation of cannabis is prohibited in Brisbane. Look up a property's zoning designation using either an Assessor's Parcel Number or address on the City's interactive zoning map.
Permits and Licenses Required
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Use Permit: A Use Permit is required for cannabis distribution/warehousing, manufacturing, and delivery-only retail uses in the TC-1 District, and for testing laboratories in the SCRO-1 District. To apply for a Use Permit, a physical business premise and permission from the property owner to apply for the Use Permit is required. The Use Permit application checklist and supplemental Cannabis Business Compliance Checklist are required, both of which are available on the Planning Permit Applications page.
- Building Permit: A building permit is required for any physical improvements or modifications to the building that your business may require. If your business does not require a conditional use permit, you must provide a completed Cannabis Business Compliance Checklist with your building permit application.
- Business License: Prior to operating, all cannabis businesses must obtain a business license. If your business does not require a conditional use permit or a building permit in order for you to occupy the business premise, a completed Cannabis Business Compliance Checklist must be submitted with your business license application.
- There is no cap or limit on the types or number of Use Permits or business licenses issued for cannabis businesses in Brisbane.
- The City Council's consideration of draft regulations to allow limited storefront retail cannabis businesses in Brisbane reviewed by the Planning Commission in 2019 has been tabled indefinitely. To be notified of future meetings on this topic, please sign up for the "Cannabis Business Policy Development" email subscription list.
Cannabis Business Taxation
The City Council adopted cannabis business taxes on January 16, 2020. The rates adopted are as follows:
- 1% for commercial cannabis testing operations.
- 1% for commercial cannabis distribution operations.
- 3% for commercial cannabis manufacturing operations.
- 3% for commercial cannabis retail operations
- 1% for all other commercial cannabis operations
Tax rates are subject to adjustment and change by resolution of the City Council.
