Cannabis Business Requirements

Cannabis Business Requirements & Facts

On May 28, 2020, the Wildomar City Council approved the "Wildomar Cannabis Code Amendment" adopting specific regulations for zoning/land use and local licenses. Ordinance Number 187 (Zoning Regulations) and Ordinance Number 188 (Licensing Regulations) become effective on July 10, 2020. The Council also adopted Cannabis fees for Local Licenses, CUP/Development Agreement's, and Annual Regulatory Licenses (as set forth in Resolution Number 2020-35). The Planning Department will begin taking Cannabis applications starting July 11, 2020 and anytime thereafter.

If you are a cannabis business and considering applying for a Local License and CUP/Development Agreement, you must first contact Robert Flores,  Community Development Director, by calling 951-677-7751, ext. 213 or emailing rflores@wildomar.gov prior to making an application submittal. The applications forms for a Local License and CUP/Development Agreement can be accessed by visiting the Planning Department Project Application Forms page.

Ordinance Number 187 and 188 are attached to each application for reference. It is important that anyone interested in establishing a Cannabis business first read the regulations in both Ordinances before making a formal submittal. A completed application upfront will make the review and entitlement process move more efficiently. All applications are required to be notarized by a Licensed Notary Public.

Important / Key Cannabis Requirements & Facts

  1. Cannabis applications are processed on a deposit-fee-based system. The initial deposit fees are as follows:
    • Local License Application Fixed Fee = $10,639 fixed fee (paid at time of submittal). Local License is valid for 2-years. The Local License Application Renewal Fee (starting year Number 3) = $9,710 (paid at time of submittal)
    • CUP Application Fixed Fee = $21,786 and Development Agreement Application Fixed Fee = $21,439. Total fixed fees of $43,225 for both applications due upon submittal.
    • Regulatory License Fee (valid for 2 years) = $142,616. The initial regulatory license fee will be prorated based on the amount of time left on the license at the time the Certificate of Occupancy is issued. The initial regulatory license fee may be paid in full upfront at the time of issuance of Occupancy Permits, or if the Applicant chooses, may be paid in two equal installments with payment Number 1 (50%) due at the time of issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, followed by the payment Number 2 (50%) due within six months after issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Beginning with the first renewal of the license, the full regulatory license fee of $142,616 will be due up front in one lump sum.
  2. The Applicant must submit proof that they are, or will be, entitled to possession of the premises for which application is made at time of Local License application submittal. Evidence of lawful possession consists of properly executed deeds of trust, lease agreements, evidence of ownership of the licensed premises, or other written documents acceptable to the City (refer to Ordinance Number 188 for more details).
  3. An applicant must submit the Local License application (and fee) first (step 1) for review and approval. This is an administrative review and approval process. The City has 30 days to perform its first review of the Local License application and cannabis proposal package to determine compliance with Ordinance Number 188. If the application is incomplete, or additional information is requested, the City will issue an official staff review comment letter outlining the missing items. The Applicant will then have up to 30 days to address the missing items and/or submit the requested information. Once a resubmittal is made, the City will perform a final review (typically 3 weeks). Once the Local License is approved, the City will issue an official approval letter with a set of conditions of approval that must be complied with during the life of the Local License.
  4. The CUP and Development Agreement (DA) application (and fee) cannot be submitted until the Applicant receives the City's first staff review comment letter on the Local License. Once submitted, the City has 30 days to perform its first review of the CUP/DA application and cannabis proposal package to determine compliance with Ordinance Number 187. If the application is incomplete, or additional information is requested, the City will issue an official staff review comment letter outlining the missing items. The Applicant will then have up to 30 days to address the missing items and/or submit the requested information. Once a resubmittal is made, the City will perform a 2nd review (typically 3 weeks) to determine if staff comments have been addressed. When all city comments have been addressed and the application deemed complete, the CUP/DA will then be scheduled for a noticed public hearing with the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission will review the CUP/DA and make a formal recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will consider the Commission's recommendation at noticed public hearing and make a final determination. Cannabis businesses are subject to the following "locational requirements:"
    • A minimum of 600 feet from a residential use (refer to Sec. 17.240.060 for how distance is measured).
    • A minimum of 600 feet from public/private schools (grades K to 12), parks, day care centers, and youth centers (refer to Sec. 17.240.060 for how distance is measured).
  5. Cannabis retail businesses are only allowed in the C-G and C-H zones. Cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, distribution or testing laboratories are only allowed in the M-I industrial zone.
  6. Please refer to Ordinance Number 187 and 188 for additional details and specific operational regulations and conditions.