As part of its cannabis program update Sonoma County Supervisors will receive the recommendations of Permit Sonoma on cannabis cultivation and the supply chain at the meeting of April 15, 2025.
Among the elements to be considered are defining cannabis in the General Plan as "controlled agriculture," a type of agriculture that is subject to unique regulations but is included in all General Plan agricultural policies unless specifically excluded. Cannabis would be the only crop defined as a controlled agricultural crop. The plan also involves permitting cannabis uses in commercial and industrial zones consistent with similar non-cannabis uses, such as mostly by-right uses with no cannabis-specific setbacks. This approach aims to integrate cannabis operations into existing frameworks for agricultural and commercial activities.
Additionally, the plan allows for visitor-serving uses such as accessory retail, akin to farm retail, and cannabis events, which would be similar to but more limited than winery events. Periodic special events would also be permitted. To ensure compatibility with residential areas, larger compatibility setbacks from concentrations of residential uses would be imposed, specifically 600 feet. Furthermore, a 100-foot property line setback would be applied to the entire operation, not just to cultivation, to maintain a buffer between cannabis operations and neighboring properties.
The county's website notes that the proposed program aims to treat cannabis cultivation more like other agricultural uses while also applying larger compatibility setbacks from concentrations of residential uses on the agricultural fringe. Cannabis supply chain uses (e.g., distribution, manufacturing, retail) would also be permitted consistent with similar uses in industrial and commercial areas.
Source: Sonoma Valley Sun