Memorandum
Date: April 7, 2026
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Mireya G. Turner, Community Development Director
Mary Claybon, Senior Planner
Subject: 1:00 P.M. - PUBLIC HEARING - Consideration of Ordinance to Amend Chapter 21, Article 27 regarding Commercial Cannabis Regulation
Executive Summary: At the Board meeting on March 10, 2026, the Board received a presentation from Staff regarding the following draft amendments to Article 27.
* Setbacks from off-site residences
* Maximum canopy
* Applicant and Property Owner Identification and Background Checks
* Operating Hours
* 10-year Permit Duration and Renewal
* Opt Out and Reduced Canopy Options
* Exclusion Areas
* Farmland Protection Zone - development standard
* Riparian Setbacks
* Annual Performance Review - Reports and Process
* Incomplete and Abandoned Applications
* Setbacks from hemp cultivation
* METRC - Track and Trace Tags
* Other nonsubstantive amendments, including grammar corrections and removal of Community Development Department from Background Check Evaluation to reflect current process
After the public hearing, the Board directed Staff to confer with the Lake County Air Quality Management District on options to minimize odor impacts between cannabis cultivation and processing, and off-site residences. Additionally, the following further amendments and research were requested:
* Minimum canopy during a Reduced Canopy season
* Fine for missing filing deadline for Opt Out & Reduced Canopy request
* Multiple site visits for mixed light/indoor cultivation during Reduced Canopy year
* Public posting of Annual Inspection Reports
* Add Minor Use Permit for Cannabis Retail in "C2" Community Commercial zoning district
* Add $5,000 Surety Bond requirement
* Review available data for options for reduce odor impacts to offsite residences
* No change to Farmland Protection Zone boundaries (maps included as Attachment 1)
Further amendments to the draft Ordinance are in proce...
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