Memorandum
Date: September 23, 2025
To: The Honorable E.J. Crandell, Chair, Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Helen Owen, District 1 Supervisor
Subject: Consideration of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 21, Article 27, Section 27.13 of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance to Temporarily Prohibit Acceptance of New Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Applications and Prohibit Processing of Incomplete Commercial Cannabis Cultivation Applications
Executive Summary:
In response to declining permitted cannabis cultivation and an increasing backlog of incomplete applications, the Board of Supervisors is considering an ordinance amending Chapter 21, Article 27 of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance. The ordinance would temporarily prohibit the acceptance of new commercial cannabis cultivation applications and halt the processing of applications not deemed complete as of the ordinance’s effective date. This measure will remain in effect until January 1, 2026, or until a comprehensive cannabis ordinance update is adopted. The Community Development Department is currently redrafting the cannabis ordinance to reflect potential substantial changes to permissible uses.
This action would allow staff to focus on processing existing complete applications while supporting the development of a comprehensive, updated cannabis ordinance.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☒ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Well-being of Residents ☐ Public Safety ☐ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☐ Economic Development ☐ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action: Approve the first reading of the Ordinance. Read Ordinance in title only and advance to the next available Board meeting for adoption.