FAQs

On January 1, 2023 the State redefined Mixed-Light and Outdoor licenses. The Division of Cannabis Control in Calaveras County will follow the definitions specified by the State.

If your cultivation permit or application is not utilizing any artificial light you would then be classified as “outdoor”. This type of permit would also allow for light deprivation and still be classified as “outdoor”.

As soon as you introduce any type of artificial light at any point in time, it then would be classified under mixed-light (either tier 1 or tier 2 depending on wattage per square foot).

If you have any questions, please contact the Division of Cannabis Control directly.

STATE DEFINITIONS BELOW FOR REFERENCE as of January 1, 2023

“Mixed-light cultivation” means the cultivation of mature cannabis in a greenhouse, hoop-house, glasshouse, conservatory, hothouse, or other similar structure using a combination of:

(1) Natural light and either of the models listed below:

(A) “Mixed-light Tier 1,” without the use of artificial light or the use of artificial light at a rate above zero, but no more than six watts per square foot; or

(B) “Mixed-light Tier 2,” the use of artificial light at a rate above six and below or equal to twenty-five watts per square foot.

“Outdoor cultivation” means the cultivation of mature cannabis without the use of artificial lighting in the canopy area at any point in time.

RIGHT TO APPLY SUNSET DATE

17.18.050.(D)(16)

Any unexercised right to apply for a cultivation permit, whether held by an applicant who meets the eligibility criteria under Section 17.18.050(D)(1) or an applicant who has acquired eligibility pursuant to Section 17.18.050(D)(14), that has not been utilized as part of a complete application submitted under Section 17.18.060 on or before October 22, 2024, shall expire as of that date. This sunset date does not affect any other portion of Chapter 17.18, now or as may be amended, including but not limited to transfer of permits (Section 17.18.100), alterations or expansion of premises (Section 17.18.110), relocation of permitted premises or changes to parcel boundaries (Section 17.18.120).

Eligibility requirements are specified in Chapter 17.18 of the County Code. You should carefully review the ordinance and, if necessary seek the advice of an attorney if you are going to apply for the program.

Pursuant to §17.18.050.D.1, In order to be able to apply, you must meet the following requirements:

1. You registered with the Planning Department before June 30, 2016 under the urgency ordinance program; and
2. You did not withdraw the registration or have it denied; and
3. You submitted an application for a temporary state license before June 7, 2018.
4. You never had your state temporary license suspended or revoked by the CDFA.

However, if you cannot meet all four of the above requirements, you may be able to purchase or otherwise procure the right to apply from someone who does meet those requirements (see §17.18.050.D.15)

Calaveras County Code of Ordinance - 17.18 COMMERCIAL & NON-COMMERCIAL CANNABIS

The Division of Cannabis Control has adopted the Building Departments policy of $2,000 per transaction. All other remaining balances should be paid by cashiers check, personal check, credit cards, and money orders.

Checks & Money Orders should be made payable to "Calaveras County" and should indicate the DCC# somewhere clearly on the payment.

No permits can be issued until an applicant has demonstrated that their former cultivation site has been remediated.

Call Code Compliance at (209) 754-6326 to arrange for the inspection of your former cultivation site. Once your inspection is complete, Code Compliance will notify the Division of Cannabis Control that you have either passed your inspection or if further remediation work is necessary.

Code Compliance Website

The commercial cannabis application process is a two-step process. The first step is the county application phase. Once you have filled out and submitted your completed application form with all required documents, staff will determine whether your business and your proposed cultivation premises are eligible for the program.

The second step is conditional approval from the county, this allows you to finish your process with the California Department of Cannabis Control.

The application and a checklist outlining all required items to be considered a complete submittal are available on our website under Registration Information>Applications. Please review all handouts and the application instructions carefully before submitting to the Division of Cannabis Control.

Please Note: The Division of Cannabis Control will not be accepting incomplete submittals. Please ensure you have all required documents and they are designed and filled out in compliance with 17.18 of the Calaveras County Code of Ordinance.

The application fee is $12,561.00

The continuation fee is $2,606.00 and is due 12 months after a permit is issued.

Please ensure you being the renewal process at least 30 days prior to your anniversary date.

Yes. Pursuant to §17.18.050.D.15, any individual or business entity that meets the requirements of §17.18.050.D.2-14 can obtain the right to apply to the County’s cannabis program from anyone who meets the requirements that are listed above (see also §17.18.050.D.1). 

BUYER BEWARE: If you are going to purchase the right to apply to the program you need to ensure that the person from whom you are receiving the right to apply meets the requirements of §17.18.050.D.1. You should seek the advice of an attorney throughout the process of purchasing or selling the right to apply to the County’s Commercial Cannabis program.

On October 22, 2019 the Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance regulating the cultivation of cannabis. The new ordinance allows eligible individuals and business entities to apply for a permit to engage in commercial cultivation on parcels of 20 acres or more that are zoned U, RA, A1, AP and GF. It also allows for consideration of a conditional use permit for cultivation on parcels between 10 and 20 acres in the same zones. Indoor cultivation is also permitted in the industrial zones of M1, M2 and M4. Limited indoor cultivation is also permitted in the CP zone as a part of a cannabis retailer operation, and permitted cultivators with self-distribution licenses will be allowed to transport their own cannabis in accordance with state law.

The number of cultivation permit applications that will be accepted is limited to the number of growers who previously registered under the urgency ordinance program, had not withdrawn the registration or had it denied, and had either received a state license or had a state license application submitted and in process before being halted when the previous county-wide ban went into effect. The ability of an eligible grower to apply for a permit is transferable to another qualified applicant, as are the permits themselves. The ordinance also regulates cannabis cultivation for personal use. Manufacturing, testing, and distribution other than self-distribution is prohibited. Retailers are regulated under Chapter 17.17 of the County Code.

There are numerous development standards and requirements that must be met that are contained in the ordinance. No Cultivation will be permitted until ALL requirements are satisfied, a State License is issued, and the permit is validated. Please review the ordinance carefully prior to submitting an application to understand what those requirements are.

To learn about the basics of regulatory compliance select “Ordinances” from the menu and then “Regulatory Compliance.” To download the current application and application instructions select “Registration Information” above and then select "Applications". Please also carefully review Chapter 17.18 of the Calaveras County Code of Ordinances.

Cannabis cultivation and commercial cannabis activities are, with certain exceptions, banned in Calaveras County.

1. Personal cultivation - The County allows up to six plants to be grown per household (not per person) without submitting an application or receiving a permit from the County.

• The six plant limit applies regardless of whether the cannabis is for medical or non-medical use.
• The six plant limit also applies regardless of the size or maturity of the plants. In other words, you cannot have six large plants and additional seedlings; the total amount allowed is six plants.
• Personal cultivation is not allowed within 75 feet of your neighbor’s property line.
• No cultivation is allowed in the common areas of a multi-family dwelling, residential development, mobile home park, or similar residential arrangement.
   

(See §17.18.050.C for more information on “non-commercial cultivation.”)

2. Commercial Cultivation - The new ordinance allows certain eligible individuals or business entities to apply for the privilege to cultivate commercially on parcels of 20 acres or more zoned RA, A1, AP and GF. It also allows for consideration of a conditional use permit for cultivation on parcels between 10 and 19.99 acres in the same zones. Indoor cultivation is also permitted in the industrial zones of M1, M2 and M4. Limited indoor cultivation is also permitted in the CP zone as a part of a cannabis retailer operation, and permitted cultivators with self-distribution licenses will be allowed to transport their own cannabis in accordance with state law. Eligible applicants can apply for outdoor cultivation permits, indoor cultivation permits, mixed light cultivation permits, processor licenses, and nursery licenses. To find out if you are eligible to apply for a commercial cannabis permit see below.

(See §17.18.050.D of The County Code for more information)

3. Self-Distribution, Transport Only - Anyone who receives a permit for cultivation site, processing facility, or nursery is authorized by the County to apply for a Self-Distribution Transport Only license from the Department of Cannabis Control.

4. Limited Distribution, General Distribution & Testing - please refer to 17.18.080 for detailed information.

4. Cannabis Retail activities are governed by Chapter 17.17 of the County Code.

NOTE: No commercial cultivation activities are permitted until a permit has been VALIDATED by the County. A permit is not validated until the applicant has received both a state license and local permit.

No one is authorized to cultivate cannabis or engage in any other commercial cannabis activities until their permit has been validated by the Division of Cannabis Control.

Your permit will not be validated until you have satisfied all of the requirements of the County Code and the Division of Cannabis Control has received a copy of your State License from the Department of Cannabis Control.

Carefully review the application requirements, the permit requirements, validation requirements, and operating restrictions found in Chapter 17.18.

In addition to meeting all of the requirements in Chapter 17.18 you will have to undergo a site inspection and demonstrate compliance with all other applicable County Codes and State laws, including but not limited, to the Building Code, Fire Code, Public Resources Code §§4290 and 4291, and applicable provisions of the Health and Safety Code, Business and Professions Code, and Agricultural Code that are administered by the various County Departments.

County staff will assist you in complying with the many laws and regulations that you will have to comply with.

You can submit your application(s) and supporting documents directly to the Division of Cannabis Control in Building "E" at 891 Mountain Ranch Rd., San Andreas, CA. We are open Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm (excluding federal holidays).

The Division of Cannabis Control is located in Building E within the Building Department at the Calaveras County Government Center. We are open from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday (closed on holidays and weekends).