.Although many of the cities Green Growth CPA has written about have hard deadlines for cannabis applications, there are also cities that choose to keep application deadlines open ended. Sacramento is one of these cities.
Sacramento is currently accepting business operating permit applications for:
- Cultivation
- Manufacturing (Non-Volatile Only)
- Testing Labs
- Delivery
- Distribution
Let’s walk through the process of how to obtain a permit for each of the business types.
Sacramento Cannabis Cultivation Permit
The city of Sacramento has defined cultivation as planting, growing, harvesting, drying, curing, grading or trimming cannabis. Sacramento is only allowing indoor cultivation at this time. Indoor plants must not be visible to the public, therefore fully enclosed within a building.
There are three different permit types according to Sacramento’s website:
- Class A – indoor cultivation of no more than 5,000 square feet
- Class B – indoor cultivation of no more than 10,000 square feet
- Class C – indoor cultivation sites up to 22,000 square feet
Take a look at these maps to see which zoning areas allow for cultivation. Sacramento also allows you to enter your address to determine if you’re property is within a zone that allows for cultivation.
If you’d like to operate a cultivation business in Sacramento, follow these steps:
Obtain a Conditional Use Permit
To apply for a conditional use permit, first download the conditional use permit application (CUP). In addition to the CUP, you must also complete a neighborhood responsibility plan (NRP) agreement. At this time, Sacramento is only allowing applications to be submitted in person between the hours of 9:00am and 3:00pm. You can submit the application to the following address:
Planning Division
300 Richards Blvd. 3rd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95811
Obtain a Business Operating Permit
Unlike the conditional use permit, you are able to apply for a business operating permit both online or in person. Please note, the address for submission of the business operating permit is different than the conditional use permit.
Revenue Division
915 I Street Room 1201
Sacramento, CA 95814
After you complete and submit a conditional use permit application, the city provides an application file number. It is required to have this number in order to apply for a business operating permit.
Because some of the applications must be submitted through a portal, Sacramento has provided this application guide that may be helpful when filling out your business operating permit.
Background Check
All applicants must complete a background check and get a Live Scan fingerprint in person at the Revenue Division. You must schedule an appointment in advance by calling 916-808-5852. The fee is $88 dollars per person.
Building Permits and Certificate of Occupancy
As long as you have your conditional use permit, you can apply for the building permits and a certificate of occupancy. This document will walk you through the proper steps.
Sacramento Cannabis Manufacturing Permit
At the moment, only non-volatile manufacturing is allowed within Sacramento. Each manufacturing permit will be reviewed by the Sacramento authorities on an individual basis. Currently, Sacramento’s website states that these zones are allowing manufacturing:
- General Commercial (C2)
- Heavy Commercial (C4)
- Light Industrial (M-1, M-1S)
- Heavy Industrial (M-2, M-2S)
- Manufacturing Industrial Park (MIP)
- Manufacturing Research Development (MRD)
Take a look at these maps to see which zoning areas allow for manufacturing. You may also enter your address to determine if manufacturing is allowed at a specific property.
Obtain a Conditional Use Permit
To obtain a conditional use permit, you must download the conditional use permit application (CUP). In addition to the CUP, you must also complete a neighborhood responsibility plan (NRP) agreement. The only exception is if you are a small manufacturer (less than $100,000 in gross receipts).
At this time, Sacramento is only allowing applications to be submitted in person and between the hours of 9:00am and 3:00pm (Monday – Friday). You can submit the application to the following address:
Planning Division
300 Richards Blvd. 3rd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95811
Obtain a Business Operating Permit
Once you have submitted a complete application for a Conditional Use Permit, you will receive an application file number. Once you have this number, you may submit an application for a business operating permit.
You can apply for a Business Operating Permit online or download the manufacturing business operating permit application and submit it in person:
Revenue Division
915 I Street Room 1201
Sacramento, CA 95814
If you are using the portal for the first time, please read the citizen portal user guide that may help guide you through the process.
Background Check
All applicants must complete a background check. You must also get a Live Scan fingerprint in person at the Revenue Division. All appointments must be scheduled in advance by calling 916-808-5852. The fee is $88 dollars per person.
Building Permits and Certificate of Occupancy
As long as you have your conditional use permit, you can apply for the building permits and a certificate of occupancy. This document will walk you through the proper steps.
There is also a tiered manufacturing permit structure in Sacramento. Applicants can apply for specific permits for the following types of manufacturing:
- Type 1 – All aspects of manufacturing
- Type N – Infusion, production of edibles (may also perform Type P activities)
- Type P – Packaging and Labeling
- Specific to Gross Receipts
- Class A – Up to $100,000
- Class B – Up to $1,000,000
- Class C – Up to $3,000,000
- Class D – Over $3,000,000
Please see this application for specific information. Please note this information was found on the Sacramento city website.
Sacramento Cannabis Testing Labs
Good news for those wishing to apply for a testing lab permit. Unlike the other permits Sacramento is offering, you will not need to obtain a conditional use permit to open a testing lab in Sacramento. However, you still need to obtain a business operating permit.
Permits for testing laboratories are issued based on the individual case and in the following zones:
- General Commercial (C2)
- Heavy Commercial (C4)
- Light Industrial (M-1, M-1S)
- Heavy Industrial (M-2, M-2S)
- Manufacturing Industrial Park (MIP)
- Manufacturing Research Development (MRD)
Take a look at these maps to see which zoning areas allow for testing labs. Sacramento also allows you to enter your address to determine if cultivation is allowed at a specific address or property.
Obtain a Business Operating Permit
You can apply for a Business Operating Permit online or download the business operating permit application and submit it in person at the following address:
Revenue Division
915 I Street Room 1201
Sacramento, CA 95814
Because there are a few nuances to submitting an online application, the city has provided a citizen portal user guide to answer any questions you may have.
Background Check
All applicants (including anyone with a 20% interest in the business) must complete a background check and get a Live Scan fingerprint in person at the Revenue Division. You must schedule an appointment in advance by calling 916-808-5852. The fee is $88 per person.
Sacramento Cannabis Delivery Permit
Obtaining a delivery permit has a few unique nuances. Delivery can only be performed by a dispensary and all drivers need to be employees of the dispensary. Per Sacramento’s website:
Cannabis delivery may be approved on a case-by-case basis for permitted dispensaries or by new non-storefront, delivery-only dispensaries in the following zones:
- General Commercial (C2)
- Heavy Commercial (C4)
- Light Industrial (M1 and M1S)
- Heavy Industrial (M2 and M2S)
These maps will show you exactly where the zones are located. If you have a specific address or property already and want to determine your zone, you can enter the address to retrieve all the zoning details.
If you’d like to operate a delivery business in Sacramento, you will need both a Conditional Use Permit for your location and a dispensary business operating permit (BOP) from the Office of Cannabis Policy and Enforcement.
A CUP, or proof of application for a CUP, is required before applying for a BOP.
Obtain a Conditional Use Permit
Download the conditional use permit application and neighborhood responsibility plan (NRP) agreement. The NRP is required to submit along with the CUP. If you are a dispensary and want to add on delivery, you should complete this application as well. Permitted dispensaries who wish to add delivery must submit a this CUP minor application.
Applications must be submitted in person:
Planning Division
300 Richards Blvd. 3rd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95811
9 a.m. and 3 p.m (Monday through Friday)
Obtain a Business Operating Permit
After submitting a conditional use permit, you will receive an application file number. You’ll need this number in order to apply for your business operating permit. You may apply for a business operating permit online or download this dispensaries business operating permit application. This application must be submitted to:
915 I Street
Room 1201
Sacramento, CA 95814
Make sure you bring the fees associated with this permit. If you are a dispensary and are hoping to add delivery to your business, please keep in mind your business operating permit must be updated as well.
Background Check
All applicants (including anyone with a 20% interest in the business) must complete a background check and get a Live Scan fingerprint in person at the Revenue Division. You must schedule an appointment in advance. You can arrange an appointment by calling 916-808-5852. Each scan will cost $88 per person.
Sacramento Cannabis Distribution Permit
Distribution is approved on a case-by-case basis in the city of Sacramento. You must be within the following zones:
- General Commercial (C2) – Under 6,400 sq. ft.
- Heavy Commercial (C4)
- Light Industrial (M1 and M1S)
- Heavy Industrial (M2 and M2S)
- Manufacturing Industrial Park (MIP)
- Manufacturing Research and Development (MRD)
This information is taken from the Sacramento cannabis website. Two types of distribution are available within Sacramento:
- Distribution Center– A site that is over 2,500 square feet. This site must be for a business that has the sole purpose of distributing and transporting products.
- Distribution Service– This type is for a site with 2,500 square feet or less. This type is intended as an add-on or secondary permit that could potentially allow another entity (who holds a cannabis permit already) to distribute their own products through the supply chain.
If you’d like to see where distribution is allowed within Sacramento, you can check out these maps to further clarify zoning details. If you have an address already, enter the address to make sure it is within the correct zone.
To obtain a distribution permit in Sacramento, you will need a conditional use permit for your location and a business operating permit.
Obtain a Conditional Use Permit
First, download the conditional use permit application. In addition to the CUP, a neighborhood responsibility plan (NRP) agreement must be submitted along with the CUP application.
All applications will need to be submitted in person at the following address:
Planning Division
300 Richards Blvd. 3rd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95811
9:00am – 3:00pm (Monday – Friday)
Obtain a Business Operating Permit
After submitting your Conditional Use Permit, the city will provide you an application number. You must have this number in order to proceed to the next step of applying for a business operating permit.
In regards to the business operating permit, you can either apply online or download the permit application and submit it in person. You will need to include the appropriate fees when submitting the application in person. Please submit the application to the following address:
Revenue Division
915 I Street Room 1201
Sacramento, CA 95814
All applicants that have a 20% interest in the business, along with the drivers of the distribution vehicles, must submit a background check and be fingerprinted. All of this must be done at the Revenue Division at the address above. You must arrange an appointment ahead of time by calling 916-808-5852.
It’s an exciting time to be planning and thinking about operating a cannabis business. If you’d like some guidance on Sacramento’s application process or on the process in another city in California, contact Green Growth CPA today.