A. A permitted commercial cannabis business shall implement sufficient security measures to deter and prevent the unauthorized entrance into areas containing cannabis or cannabis products, and to deter and prevent the theft of cannabis or cannabis products at the commercial cannabis business. Except as may otherwise be determined by the Police Chief or their designee(s), these security measures shall include, but shall not be limited to, all of the following:
1. Alarm system (perimeter, and fire).
2. Remote monitoring of alarm systems by licensed security professionals.
3. Perimeter lighting systems (including motion sensors) for after-hours security.
4. Perimeter security and lighting as approved by the Police Chief and the Community Development Director or their designee(s).
5. Preventing individuals from remaining on the premises of the commercial cannabis business if they are not engaging in an activity directly related to the permitted operations of the commercial cannabis business.
6. Establishing limited access areas accessible only to authorized commercial cannabis business personnel.
7. Except for live growing plants at a retail-storefront use offered for sale as a whole live plant, all cannabis and cannabis products shall be stored in a secured and locked vault or vault equivalent. All safes and vaults shall be compliant with Underwriter Laboratories burglary-resistant and fire-resistant standards. All cannabis and cannabis products, including live plants that are being sold at retail shall be kept in a manner as to prevent diversion, theft, and loss. No part of such live plants shall be used for consumption or manufacture prior to retail sale of such live plant.
8. Installing 24-hour security surveillance cameras of at least HD-quality to monitor all entrances and exits to and from the premises, all interior spaces within the commercial cannabis business which are open and accessible to the public, all interior spaces where cannabis, cash or currency, is being stored for any period of time on a regular basis and all interior spaces where diversion of cannabis could reasonably occur. All cameras shall record in color. All exterior cameras shall be in weather-proof enclosures, shall be located to minimize the possibility of vandalism, and shall have the capability to automatically switch to black and white in low light conditions. The commercial cannabis business shall be responsible for ensuring that the security surveillance camera’s footage is remotely accessible by the Chief of Police or their designee(s), and that it is compatible with the City’s software and hardware. In addition, remote and real-time, live access to the video footage from the cameras shall be provided to the Chief of Police or their designee(s). Video recordings shall be maintained for a minimum of ninety (90) days and shall be made available to the Chief of Police or their designee(s) upon request. Video shall be of sufficient quality for effective prosecution of any crime found to have occurred on the site of the commercial cannabis business and shall be capable of enlargement via projection or other means. Internet Protocol address information shall be provided to the Chico Police Department by the commercial cannabis business, to facilitate remote monitoring of security cameras by the Department or its designee.
9. Sensors shall be installed to detect entry and exit from all secure areas and shall be monitored in real time by a security company licensed by the State of California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
10. Having a professionally installed, maintained, and monitored real-time alarm system by a security company licensed by the State of California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.
11. Any bars installed on the windows or the doors of the commercial cannabis business shall be installed only on the interior of the building.
12. Security personnel shall be on-site during business hours or alternative security as authorized by the Chief of Police or their designee(s), and must have a verified response security patrol when closed. Security personnel must be licensed by the State of California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services personnel and shall be subject to the prior review and approval of the Chief of Police or their designee(s), with such approval not to be unreasonably withheld.
13. Each commercial cannabis business shall have the capability to remain secure during a power outage and shall ensure that all access doors are not solely controlled by an electronic access panel to ensure that locks are not released during a power outage.
14. Entrance areas are to be locked at all times and under the control of a designated responsible party that is either: (a) an employee of the commercial cannabis business; or (b) a licensed security professional.
15. Each commercial cannabis business shall have an accounting software system in place to provide point of sale data as well as audit trails or both product and cash, where applicable.
16. Each commercial cannabis business shall demonstrate to the Chief of Police, City Manager or their designees, compliance with the state’s track and trace system for cannabis and cannabis products, as soon as it is operational.
17. Each commercial cannabis business shall have a professionally installed video surveillance system, access control and intrusion alarm systems designed to protect the inventory, facility, and employees. Each business shall have network security protocols that are certified by Underwriters Laboratories.
18. Exterior vegetation shall be planted, altered and maintained in a fashion that precludes its use as a hiding place for persons on the premises.
19. Emergency access and emergency evacuation plans that are in compliance with state and local fire safety standards.
B. Each commercial cannabis business shall identify a designated security representative/liaison to the City of Chico, who shall be reasonably available to meet with the City Manager or their designee(s) regarding any security related measures and/or operational issues. The designated security representative/liaison shall, on behalf of the commercial cannabis business, annually maintain a copy of the current security plan on the premises of the business, to present to the City Manager or their designee upon request that meets the following requirements:
1. Confirms that a designated Manager will be on duty during business hours and will be responsible for monitoring the behavior of employees.
2. Identifies all managers of the commercial cannabis business and their contact phone numbers.
3. Confirms that first aid supplies and operational fire extinguishers are located in the service areas and the manager’s office.
4. Confirms that burglar and fire alarms are operational and monitored by a licensed security company 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provides contact information for each licensed security company.
5. Identify a sufficient number of licensed, interior and exterior security personnel who will monitor individuals inside and outside the commercial cannabis business, the parking lot, and any adjacent property under the business’ control.
6. Confirm that the licensed security personnel shall regularly monitor the parking lot and any adjacent property to ensure that these areas are: (a) free of individuals loitering or causing a disturbance; (b) are cleared of employees and their vehicles one-half hour after closing.
C. As part of the application and permitting process each commercial cannabis business shall have a storage and transportation plan, which describes in detail the procedures for safely and securely storing and transporting all cannabis, cannabis products, any hazardous materials that may be used by the business, and any currency.
D. The commercial cannabis business shall cooperate with the City whenever the City Manager or their designee(s) makes a request, with or without prior notice, to inspect or audit the effectiveness of any security plan or of any other requirement of this chapter.
E. A commercial cannabis business shall notify the Chief of Police or their designee(s) within twenty-four (24) hours after discovering any of the following:
1. Significant discrepancies identified during inventory.
2. Diversion, theft, loss, or any criminal activity involving the commercial cannabis business or any agent or employee of the commercial cannabis business, or any crime occurring on the premises or involving the business.
3. The loss or unauthorized alteration of records related to cannabis, customers or employees or agents of the commercial cannabis business.
4. Any other breach of security.
F. Compliance with the foregoing requirements shall be verified by the City Manager or their designee prior to commencing business operations. The City Manager or their designee may supplement these security requirements once operations begin, subject to review by the City Manager or their designee if requested by the business owner.
(Ord. 2552 §1, Ord. 2589 §2)