Memorandum
Date: December 11, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Planning Commission
From: Mireya G. Turner, Community Development Director
Mary Claybon, Senior Planner
Subject: 9:20 A.M. - PUBLIC HEARING - Consideration of Ordinance to Amend Chapter 21, Article 27 regarding Commercial Cannabis Regulation
Executive Summary: At the Board meeting on October 7, 2025, the Board received a presentation from Staff regarding the bifurcation of the cannabis regulation update into two portions. The first draft ordinance, included as Attachment A, would make certain amendments to Article 27, where the current cannabis regulations are located, in addition to many other commercial land uses. The future ordinance would create Article 73, a new chapter of the Zoning Code to include uses exclusive to cannabis.
The table below lists the amendments to Article 27 for the following topics:
• 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
• Other nonsubstantive amendments, including grammar corrections and removal of Community Development Department from Background Check Evaluation
Recommended Action: Staff requests consideration of the draft ordinance with a public hearing, and a recommendation of approval to the Board of Supervisors.