Memorandum
Date: July 28, 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. - Second Reading - Draft Ordinance to Amend Chapter 21, Articles 8, 18, 19, and 27 regarding Commercial Cannabis Regulation.
Executive Summary: The Board has discussed and given direction on Article 27 amendments on March 10, April 7, June 2, June 23, and July 14, 2026. On July 14, 2026, the Board approved the first reading of the draft ordinance, and advanced it to the next agenda. On July 21, 2026, the Board requested amendments to synchronize the tiered surety bond regarding hemp cultivation with cannabis-related businesses; and add a definition for Permanent Employee (cannabis). Additionally, the Board requested the item be timed to allow for discussion on reinstating the 10-year term limit and renewal process into the draft ordinance. Topics included in the draft ordinance are listed below, with an additional list of topics discussed by the Board but assigned for future consideration in the draft Article 73.
Article 27 - Proposed Amendments
* Setback from hemp
* Removal of commercial cannabis cultivation from "SR" Suburban Reserve zoning district
* Cannabis Retail - permitting requirements
* Maximum canopy
* Applicant and Property Owner Identification and Background Check
* Background check review - responsible department
* Operating hours
* Opt Out and Reduced Canopy guidelines
* Setbacks from off-site residences
* Incomplete, Inactive and Abandoned applications
* Surety Bond - tiered according to canopy, with County as obligee
* Additional restrictions for greenhouses
* Commercial cannabis exclusion areas
* Buffer from "FPZ" Farmland Protection Zone
* Anchor point foundations in "FPZ"
* Riparian setbacks
* Annual Performance Reports - review
* Public access to Annual Performance Reports and Inspection Reports
* Adding Type 5 cultivation use permit
* Reduction i...
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