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Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as authorizing any actions that violate federal, state law or local law with respect to engaging in, or in the operation of, a commercial cannabis business. It shall be the responsibility of the permittees and responsible persons of a commercial cannabis business to ensure that a commercial cannabis business is, at all times, operating in a manner compliant with all applicable federal, State and local laws, including for as long as applicable, all State cannabis laws and regulations, any subsequently enacted State law or regulatory, licensing, or certification standards or requirements, and any specific, additional operating procedures or requirements which may be imposed as conditions of approval when a Conditional Use Permit is required for certain uses.
(Ord. 2552 §1, Ord. 2589 §2)
When used in this chapter, and in Title 19, and all other codes, ordinances, and resolutions of the City of Chico in regard to commercial cannabis businesses and uses, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed to them as set forth herein. Any reference to California statutes includes any regulations promulgated thereunder, and is deemed to include any successor or amended version of the referenced statute or regulatory provision.
“Act” shall mean the California Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act, as in California Business and Professions Code section 26000 et seq. “Act” may also be used interchangeably with “MAUCRSA.”
“Adult use” shall mean use of cannabis products by individuals 21 years of age and older and who do not possess a physician’s recommendation.
“Applicant” under this chapter shall include any individual or entity applying for a Commercial Cannabis Permit, and shall include any officer, director, partner, or other duly authorized representative applying on behalf of an entity.
“Business license” is the license issued by the City’s Finance Department after payment of the business fee as set forth in Chapter 3.32 of the City of Chico City Code.
“Cannabis” means all parts of the Cannabis sativa Linnaeus, Cannabis indica, or Cannabis ruderalis plants, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin, whether crude or purified, extracted from any part of a cannabis plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin. “Cannabis” also means the separated resin, whether crude or purified, obtained from cannabis. “Cannabis” does not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of the plant which is incapable of germination. For the purpose of this chapter, “cannabis” does not mean “industrial hemp” as defined by Section 11018.5 of the California Health and Safety Code. Cannabis shall also have the same meaning as in Section 26001(f) of the Business and Professions Code, as same may be amended from time to time.
“Cannabis accessories” means any equipment, products or materials of any kind which are used, intended for use, or designed for use in planting, propagating, cultivating, growing, harvesting, manufacturing, compounding, converting, producing, processing, preparing, testing, analyzing, packaging, repackaging, storing, smoking, vaporizing, or containing cannabis, or for ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing cannabis or cannabis products into the human body. Cannabis accessories shall also have the same meaning as in Section 11018.2 of the Health and Safety Code, as same may be amended from time to time.
“Cannabis concentrate” means cannabis that has undergone a process to concentrate one or more active cannabinoids, thereby increasing the product’s potency. Resin from granular trichomes from a cannabis plant is a concentrate for purposes of this chapter. A cannabis concentrate is not considered food, as defined by Section 109935 of the Health and Safety Code, or drug, as defined by Section 109925 of the Health and Safety Code. Cannabis concentrate shall also have the same meaning as in Section 26001(h) of the Business and Professions Code, as same may be amended from time to time.
“Cannabis event” means a public or private event where compensation is provided or exchanged, either directly or indirectly or as part of an admission or other fee for service, for the provision, hosting, promotion or conduct of the event where consumption of cannabis is part of the activities.
“Cannabis products” means cannabis that has undergone a process whereby the plant material has been transformed into a concentrate, including but not limited to cannabis concentrate, or an edible or topical product containing cannabis or cannabis concentrate and other ingredients. Cannabis products shall also have the same meaning as in Section 11018.1 of the Health and Safety Code, as same may be amended from time to time.
“Canopy” means all areas occupied by any portion of a cannabis plant, inclusive of all vertical planes, whether contiguous or noncontiguous on any one site.
“City” means the City of Chico, California.
“City Manager” means the City Manager of the City of Chico, including their designee.
“Code” means the City of Chico City Code.
“Commercial cannabis activity” includes the cultivation, possession, manufacture, distribution, processing, storing, laboratory testing, packaging, labeling, transportation, delivery or sale of cannabis and cannabis products as provided for in MAUCRSA and state regulations. Commercial cannabis activity shall also have the same meaning as in Section 26001(k) of the Business and Professions Code, as same may be amended from time to time.
“Commercial cannabis business” means any business or operation, which engages in medicinal or adult-use commercial cannabis activity, as authorized by this chapter, as may be amended from time to time by the City, including, the manufacturing, testing, distribution, and retail as explicitly allowed herein, of medicinal and adult-use cannabis and cannabis products, and the ancillary transportation and delivery of same.
“Commercial cannabis permit” means the regulatory permit issued by the City of Chico to a commercial cannabis business, which is required before any commercial cannabis activity may be conducted in the City, pursuant to this chapter.
“Conditional use permit” means a discretionary land use approval as required and pursuant to Chapter 24 of Title 19 of the Chico Municipal Code.
“Cultivation” means any activity involving the planting, growing, harvesting, drying, curing, grading, or trimming of cannabis. Cultivation shall also have the same meaning as in Section 26001(l) of the Business and Professions Code, as same may be amended from time to time. Whenever references to cultivation are made in this chapter, permitted or licensed cultivation shall only be personal cultivation, as commercial cultivation is expressly prohibited.
“Customer” means a natural person 21 years of age or older; or, a natural person 18 years of age or older who possesses a physician’s recommendation for medicinal use, or a primary caregiver. Customer shall also have the same meaning as in Section 26001(n) of the Business and Professions Code, as same may be amended from time to time.
“Day care center” has the same meaning as in Section 1596.76 of the Health and Safety Code, as same may be amended from time to time, and includes any child day care facility other than a family day care home, and includes infant centers, preschools, extended day care facilities, and school-age child care centers.
“Delivery” is the commercial transfer of cannabis or cannabis products to a customer. Delivery also includes the use by a retailer of any technology platform owned and controlled by the retailer. Delivery shall also have the same meaning as in Section 26001(p) of the Business and Professions Code, as same may be amended from time to time.
“Dispensing” means any activity involving the retail sale of cannabis or cannabis products from a retailer.
“Distribution” means the procurement, sale, and transport of cannabis and cannabis products between licensees. Distribution shall also have the same meaning as in Section 26001(r) of the Business and Professions Code, as same may be amended from time to time.
“Distributor” means a person holding a valid Commercial Cannabis Permit for distribution issued by the City of Chico, and a valid state license for distribution (DCC License Type 11), required by state law to engage in the business of purchasing cannabis from a licensed cultivator, or cannabis products from a licensed manufacturer, for sale to a licensed retailer.
“Edible cannabis product” means a cannabis product that is intended to be used, in whole or in part, for human consumption, and is not considered food. Edible cannabis product has the same meaning as Business and Professions Code section 26001(t).
“Fire Chief” shall mean the Fire Chief of the Chico Fire Department, or their designee.
“License or State license” means a license issued by the State of California, or one of its departments or divisions, under MAUCRSA, and any subsequent State of California legislation or regulations regarding the same, to lawfully engage in commercial cannabis activity.
“Licensee” means any person holding a license issued by the State of California to conduct commercial cannabis business activities.
“Live plants” means living cannabis flowers and plants including seeds, immature plants, and vegetative stage plants.
“Manager” means any person(s) designated by the commercial cannabis business to act as the representative or agent of the commercial cannabis business in managing day-to-day operations with corresponding liabilities and responsibilities, and/or the person in apparent charge of the premises where the commercial cannabis business is located. Evidence of management includes, but is not limited to, evidence that the individual has the power to direct, supervise, or hire and dismiss employees, controls hours of operations, creates policy rules, or purchases supplies.
“Manufacture” means to compound, blend, extract, infuse, or otherwise make or prepare a cannabis product. Manufacture shall also have the same meaning as in Section 26001(ag) of the Business and Professions Code, as may be amended from time to time.
“Manufacturer”
means one that conducts the production, preparation, propagation, or compounding of cannabis or cannabis products either directly or indirectly or by extraction methods, or independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis at a fixed location that packages or repackages cannabis or cannabis products or labels or re-labels its container. A manufacturer may also be a person that infuses cannabis in its products but does not perform its own extraction. Manufacturer shall also have the same meaning as in Section 26001(ah) of the Business and Professions Code, as same may be amended from time to time. A manufacturer must be owned and operated by a person issued a valid Commercial Cannabis Permit for manufacturing from the City of Chico and a valid state license as required for manufacturing of cannabis products issued by the State of California’s Department of Cannabis Control as a Manufacturer 1 (Type 6- Non-volatile), Manufacturer 2 (Type 7- Volatile), or Type P- Packaging and Labeling Manufacturer License.
“Manufacturing or Manufacture”
means the production, preparation, propagation, or compounding of cannabis or cannabis products, directly or indirectly, by extraction methods, independently by means of chemical synthesis, or by a combination of extraction and chemical synthesis at a fixed location that packages or repackages cannabis or cannabis products or labels or re-labels its container, or that only packages or repackages cannabis or cannabis products or labels or re-labels its container.
“Medicinal cannabis or medicinal cannabis product” means cannabis or a cannabis product, respectively, intended to be sold for use pursuant to the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) by a medicinal cannabis patient in California who possesses a physician’s recommendation.
“Medicinal use” means the use of medicinal cannabis or medicinal cannabis product.
“Microbusiness” means a business which would be required to obtain a California Department of Cannabis Control Type 12 Microbusiness license, or is who engaged in at least three (3) of the following commercial cannabis activities: indoor cultivation (less than 10,000 square feet), manufacturing (non-volatile), distribution, and retailer-storefront, as defined within this chapter.
“Operation” means any act for which a license is required under state law for commercial cannabis activities or the provisions of the MAUCRSA or any commercial transfer of cannabis or cannabis products. Operation shall also have the same meaning as in Section 26001(an) of the Business and Professions Code, as same may be amended from time to time.
“Owner” means any of the following, or a group or combination of any of the following acting as a unit:
(1) A person with an aggregate ownership interest of 5 percent or more in the business applying for a City of Chico Commercial Cannabis Permit, whether a partner, shareholder, principal, member, or the like, unless the interest is solely a security, lien, or encumbrance.
(2) The chief executive officer of a nonprofit or other entity.
(3) A member of the board of directors of a nonprofit.
(4) An individual who will be participating in the direction, control, or management of the business, non-profit, or other entity applying for a City of Chico Commercial Cannabis Permit.
“Patient or qualified patient” means the same definition as California Health and Safety Code Section 11362.7 et seq., as it may be amended, and which means a person who is entitled to the protections of California Health & Safety Code Section 11362.5.
“Permit” means a Commercial Cannabis Permit issued by the City of Chico authorizing the holder to engage in a locally authorized commercial cannabis business.
“Permittee” means any person holding a Commercial Cannabis Permit issued by the City of Chico authorizing the holder to engage in a locally authorized commercial cannabis business.
“Person” means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, corporation, limited liability company, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, syndicate, or any other group or combination acting as a unit or entity, and the plural as well as the singular.
“Premises” means the designated structure or structures and land specified in the application that is owned, leased, or otherwise held under the control of the applicant where the commercial cannabis business will be or is being conducted. The premises shall be a contiguous area and shall only be occupied by one permittee.
“Purchaser” means the customer who is engaged in a transaction with a permittee for purposes of obtaining cannabis or cannabis products.
“Regulations” means those regulations prescribed and issued by the State of California, through its respective departments and/or divisions, pursuant to Section 26013 of the Business and Professions Code, including those regulations as found in the California Code of Regulations (including Title 4, Division 19), as may be amended from time to time, to implement, interpret, administer and enforce the Act, and providing licensing and enforcement criteria for commercial cannabis activities and businesses.
“Responsible person” means all owners and operators of a commercial cannabis business, including the permittee and all officers, directors, managers, members, or partners, and all persons with authority, including apparent authority, over the premises of the commercial cannabis business.
“Retailer-Storefront or storefront retailer” is a storefront retailer of a commercial cannabis business facility where cannabis, cannabis products, or devices for the use of cannabis or cannabis products are offered, either individually or in any combination, for retail sale to customers at a fixed location, including an establishment that also offers delivery of cannabis and cannabis products as part of a retail sale, and which are open to the public, and where the operator is authorized to operate in the City as a retailer, and holds a valid California Department of Cannabis Control Type 10 license as required by state law to operate as a retailer.
“Retailer-Delivery or non-storefront retailer” means a non-storefront, delivery only retailer as a commercial cannabis business facility where cannabis, cannabis products, or devices for the use of cannabis or cannabis products are offered, either individually or in any combination, for retail sale to customers, where the premises are non-storefront, closed to the public, and sales are conducted exclusively by delivery, where a vehicle is used to convey the cannabis or cannabis products to the customer from a fixed location, and where the operator is authorized by the City of Chico to operate as a retailer, and holds a valid California Department of Cannabis Control Type 9 license as required by state law to operate as a retailer.
“Sell”, “sale”, and “to sell” includes any transaction whereby, for any consideration, title to cannabis or cannabis products are transferred from one person to another, and includes the delivery of cannabis or cannabis products pursuant to an order placed for the purchase of the same and soliciting or receiving an order for the same, but does not include the return of cannabis or cannabis products by a licensee to the permittee from whom the cannabis or cannabis product was purchased.
“State law” means all laws of the State of California, which includes, but are not limited to, all rules, regulations, and policies adopted by State of California agencies, departments, divisions, and regulatory entities, as same may be amended from time to time.
“Testing Laboratory” means a laboratory, facility, or entity in the state that offers or performs tests of cannabis or cannabis products and that is both of the following:
(1) Accredited as ISO/IEC17025 by an accrediting body that is independent from all other persons involved in commercial cannabis activity in the State.
(2) Licensed by the California Department of Cannabis Control as a Testing Laboratory (Type 8).
Testing laboratory shall also have the same meaning as in Section 26001(ax) of the Business and Professions Code, as may be amended from time to time.
“Transport” means the transfer of cannabis products from the permitted business location of one licensee to the permitted business location of another licensee, for the purposes of conducting commercial cannabis activity authorized by law and which may be amended or repealed by any subsequent State of California legislation regarding the same.
“Youth center” means any public or private facility that is primarily used to host recreational or social activities for minors, including, but not limited to, private youth membership organizations or clubs, social service teenage club facilities, video arcades, or similar amusement park facilities.
(Ord. 2552 §1, Ord. 2589 §2, Ord. 2598 § 1)
A. Allowed: The classification and type of commercial cannabis business explicitly allowed for in this chapter and Title 19, as otherwise conditioned, and as may be amended from time to time by the City, are as follows:
1. Testing laboratory (DCC License Type 8);
2. Distribution (DCC License Type 11);
3. Manufacturer (DCC License Type 6- Non-Volatile, Type 7- Volatile, and Type P- Packaging and Labeling);
4. Retailer-delivery only (DCC License Type 9); and
5. Retailer-storefront (DCC License Type 10).
After obtaining a Commercial Cannabis Permit from the City of Chico pursuant to this chapter, obtaining land use clearance from the City of Chico Community Development Director, obtaining a business license from the City of Chico, obtaining all required County of Butte approvals or permits when applicable, and the appropriate state-issued permit from the State of California for such cannabis business activity, permittees engaged in the above allowed business types may conduct such business in regard to medicinal and adult-use cannabis and cannabis products, and the ancillary transportation and delivery of same as otherwise allowed while in compliance with state law and the provisions of this chapter, Title 19, and all other codes and resolutions of the City of Chico.
B. Prohibited: The following business types and activities are expressly prohibited:
1. Commercial cultivation;
2. Microbusiness;
3. Cannabis event;
4. Any kiosk, i-Pad, tablet, smartphone, fixed location or technology platform, whether manned or unmanned, that facilitates, directs, or assists the retail sale or delivery of cannabis or cannabis products in violation of this chapter; and
5. All other uses not enumerated under Section 5.42.060A.
(Ord. 2552 §1, Ord. 2589 §2, Ord. 2598 § 1)
ARTICLE II. COMMERCIAL CANNABIS PERMIT
A. Prior to engaging in any commercial cannabis activity, one must obtain a Commercial Cannabis Permit. The initial permit and annual renewal of an authorized and lawful Commercial Cannabis Permit is made expressly contingent upon the commercial cannabis business’ ongoing compliance with all requirements of State law, this chapter, the City of Chico City Code, any local regulations adopted by the City governing the commercial cannabis business at issue, the securing and approval of a Use Permit (when required pursuant to Title 19 of the Chico Municipal Code), and any required approval, permit or license required by any applicable local or State law, rules, or regulations.
B. No person may engage in, conduct, authorize, establish, or operate a commercial cannabis business, or cause, allow, or permit same, within the City of Chico unless and until the following are obtained, complied with, adhered to, and fulfilled:
1. A Commercial Cannabis Permit has been approved by the City, pursuant to the City’s laws, rules, policies, and regulations, as applicable, as same may be amended from time to time; and
2. Zoning clearance issued by the Community Development Director, including where applicable, issuance of a Conditional Use Permit; and
3. A City business license issued by the Finance Department authorizing the business operation of a commercial cannabis business; and
4. A valid State of California Seller’s Permit or other valid State of California license or permit for the applicable type of commercial cannabis business at issue has been obtained; and
5. Permittee is currently in compliance with all applicable state and local laws and regulations pertaining to engaging in, conducting or operating a commercial cannabis business and commercial cannabis activities, including the duty to first obtain any required State licenses pursuant to MAUCRSA and applicable regulations; and
6. Permittee is currently in compliance with any and all applicable state and local laws and regulations pertaining to the occupancy of the premises for the City-approved commercial cannabis business operation, including any and all applicable building and fire code provisions; and
7. Prior to operating in the City and as a condition of issuance of a regulatory permit, operator of each cannabis facility shall execute an indemnity agreement with the City of Chico and an acknowledgement of limitations on City’s liability, certifications, assurances, and warranties.
C. Applicant shall be responsible for all fees and noticing obligations required for processing all permits.
(Ord. 2552 §1, Ord. 2589 §2)
A. Pursuant to California Penal Code Sections 11105(b)(11) and 13300(b)(11), which authorize City authorities to access state and local criminal history information for cannabis employment, licensing, or certification purposes, summary criminal history information for cannabis employment, licensing, or certification purposes, and authorize access to federal level criminal history information by transmitting fingerprint images and related information to the Department of Justice to be transmitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, every applicant for a Certificate of Approval (including owners and other representatives of the applicant) and every person to be employed at the facility must submit fingerprints and other information deemed necessary by the Chief of Police or their designee(s) for a background check by the Chico Police Department. A fee for the cost of the background investigation, which shall be the actual cost to the City of Chico to conduct the background investigation as it deems necessary and appropriate, including City staff time and costs, shall be paid at the time the person submits for the background check.
B. The criminal background check must at a minimum identify the following:
1. Whether the individual applying for cannabis employment has ever been convicted of a violent felony as defined by California Penal Code 667.5, or equivalent offenses in other states;
2. Whether the individual applying for cannabis employment has ever been convicted of a crime involving dishonesty, fraud or deceit, including but not limited to fraud, forgery, theft, or embezzlement as those offenses are defined in California Penal Code Sections 186.11, 470, 484, and 504a, respectively; or equivalent offenses in other states; or
3. Whether the individual applying for cannabis employment has ever been convicted of the illegal use, possession, transportation, distribution or similar activities related to controlled substances, as defined in the Federal Controlled Substances Act, not including cannabis-related offenses for which the conviction occurred after the passage of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.
C. The Chief of Police may, at his/her discretion, require applicants to utilize a third-party provider for purposes of conducting the criminal background check. The third-party background check may serve in place of, or in addition to, the criminal background check performed by the Chico Police Department, as described in Section 5.42.105A.
D. Evidence of a conviction of any the offenses enumerated in Section 5.42.105B. shall be grounds for denial of employment.
E. Violation of this section shall be grounds for immediate suspension of the business’ operating permit. The business operator shall have the right to an appeal pursuant to Section 5.42.160.
(Ord. 2552 §1, Ord. 2589 §2)
A. This section is intended to establish a method for the determination of the maximum number of commercial cannabis businesses that may be issued Commercial Cannabis Permits to operate in the City under each category of commercial cannabis business type. The City Council may establish further policies and procedures by minute order, ordinance or resolution regarding processes and procedures for processing and selecting of permits.
B. Nothing in this chapter creates a mandate, right, obligation, or expectation that the City must, will or shall authorize any or all of the permits available at any time, increase the number of permits available, or issue a permit to a commercial cannabis business that submits an application to the City if it is determined that it is in the best interest of the City to not authorize such in the City, or if an applicant does not meet the standards established in the application requirements or further amendments to the application process. There is no guarantee that the City will authorize any commercial cannabis business to operate in the City.
C. The number of retailer-storefront permits shall be determined by population density of the City of Chico. For every 25,000 residents of the City, based on the most recent Population Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, conducted by the California Department of Finance, the City Council may authorize up to one retailer-storefront permit. The City Council shall from time to time, at its sole and absolute discretion, establish by resolution the number of retailer-storefront permits authorized for commercial cannabis businesses based on this formula.
D. No more than the number of cannabis retailers initially authorized herein to operate or as amended by resolution may operate within the City of Chico at any one time and shall be issued a permit by the City of Chico. At the time of the passage of this chapter, the maximum number of commercial cannabis businesses per classification citywide are as follows:
Retailer-Storefront - Four (4)
Retailer-Non-Storefront - No maximum
Testing laboratory - No maximum
Manufacturing - No maximum
Distribution - No maximum
E. Each year following the initial award of permits, if any, or at any time in the City Council’s discretion, the City Council may reassess the number of Commercial Cannabis Permits which are authorized for issuance. The City Council, in its discretion, may determine by resolution that the number of Commercial Cannabis Permits should remain the same, be reduced, or be increased.
F. A person may only have an ownership interest in one (1) retailer-storefront business in the City of Chico. Any person with community property rights of an ownership interest is considered a person with ownership interest in this section.
(Ord. 2552 §1, Ord. 2589 §2)
A. All commercial cannabis businesses shall be located in an approved land use designation area as identified under Title 19.75.
B. No retailer-storefront commercial cannabis business shall be located within 1000' feet of another retailer-storefront commercial cannabis business. In the event that two or more applications for commercial cannabis retailer-storefront uses are submitted and are under consideration simultaneously for locations within 1000' of each other, all applications may continue to be considered until final award of Commercial Cannabis Permit and use permit. However, final award of use permit by Planning Commission may not allow retailer-storefront uses to be located within 1000' of each other.
(Ord. 2552 §1, Ord. 2589 §2)
Each Commercial Cannabis Permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall expire one (1) year after the date of its issuance. The City Council shall establish by resolution procedures for the renewal, revocation, and suspension of Commercial Cannabis Permits.
(Ord. 2552 §1, Ord. 2589 §2)
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