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San Diego County Overview
San Diego County Comprehensive Ordinances
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SAN DIEGO COUNTY CODE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDINANCES
County Officials
PREFACE
ARTICLE I GENERAL PROVISIONS*
ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS*
ARTICLE III GENERAL RULES*
ARTICLE IIIa ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR AGING AND INDEPENDENCE SERVICES*
ARTICLE IIIb COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PUBLIC AUTHORITY*
ARTICLE IIIc PAST GRAND JURORS ASSOCIATION IMPLEMENTATION REVIEW COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE IIIj AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM*
ARTICLE IIIk AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM FOR VENDORS*
ARTICLE III l AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE IIIm AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM -- EMPLOYMENT*
ARTICLE IIIn SAN DIEGO COUNTY COMMITTEE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES*
ARTICLE IIIo COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION COORDINATING COUNCIL*
ARTICLE IIIp FIRST 5 COMMISSION OF SAN DIEGO*
ARTICLE IIIq SAN DIEGO COUNTY BUSINESS PRACTICES REVIEW COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE IIIr REGIONAL SECURITY COMMISSION*
ARTICLE IIIs NORTH COUNTY GANG COMMISSION*
ARTICLE IIIt POLINSKY CHILDREN’S CENTER ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE IIIu SAN DIEGO SEX OFFENDER MANAGEMENT COUNCIL*
ARTICLE IIIv CHILD AND FAMILY STRENGTHENING ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE IIIw ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION
ARTICLE IV SAN DIEGO COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS*
ARTICLE IV-A ASSESSOR / RECORDER / COUNTY CLERK*
ARTICLE IV-B ASSESSMENT APPEALS BOARD*
ARTICLE IV-C ASSESSMENT HEARING OFFICER*
ARTICLE V AUDITOR AND CONTROLLER*
ARTICLE V-A PROCESSING AND CERTIFICATION OF ROUTINE CLAIMS*
ARTICLE VI BOUNDARY CHANGES*
ARTICLE VII BUDGET AND FINANCIAL PROCEDURES AND APPROPRIATION, REVENUE AND STAFFING LIMITATIONS*
ARTICLE VIIa TEMPORARY TRANSFERS OF FUNDS TO SPECIFIED AGENCIES WITHIN THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO*
ARTICLE VIII CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER*
ARTICLE IX OFFICE OF COUNTY COUNSEL*
ARTICLE X CLAIMS AGAINST THE COUNTY*
ARTICLE X-A CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS*
ARTICLE XI DEPARTMENT OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER*
ARTICLE XII COUNTY CLERK*
ARTICLE XII-A COUNTY LIBRARIAN*
ARTICLE XII-B DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE - WEIGHTS AND MEASURES*
ARTICLE XII-C CITY/COUNTY TASK FORCE ON AGRICULTURAL/URBAN ISSUES AND PESTICIDES*
ARTICLE XII-D DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES*
ARTICLE XII-E PESTICIDE TASK FORCE*
ARTICLE XII-F COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE**
ARTICLE XIII-A DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND RECOVERY*
ARTICLE XIII-B DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES*
ARTICLE XIV JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XV HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY*
ARTICLE XV-AA SAN DIEGO COUNTY EYE GNAT ABATEMENT APPEALS BOARD*
ARTICLE XV-A SAN DIEGO COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE XV-B HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CHARGES AND FEES*
ARTICLE XV-C GENERAL RELIEF PROGRAM*
ARTICLE XVI CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING COUNCIL*
ARTICLE XVI-A ADVISORY BOARDS*
ARTICLE XVI-B SAN DIEGO COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVI-C SAN DIEGO COUNTY FISH AND WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XVI-D SAN DIEGO COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVI-E LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT ZONE NO. 2 - JULIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVII SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOSTER CARE SERVICES COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVII-A SAN DIEGO COUNTY CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS QUINCENTENARY COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XVII-B SAN DIEGO COUNTY HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XVII-C EQUAL OPPORTUNITY MANAGEMENT OFFICE*
ARTICLE XVII-D WHISTLE BLOWER PROTECTION PROCEDURE; ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WHISTLE BLOWER COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XVII-E SAN DIEGO COUNTY TECHNOLOGY OFFICE*
ARTICLE XVII-F SAN DIEGO COUNTY EVALUATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XVIII CITIZENS LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD*
ARTICLE XVIIIa GRAZING ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE XIX ADULT INSTITUTIONS*
ARTICLE XIXa YOUTH CORRECTION CENTER*
ARTICLE XX FEES AND CHARGES*
ARTICLE XXA JUVENILE FACILITIES*
ARTICLE XXI INTERGOVERNMENTAL REPRESENTATION*
ARTICLE XXIa RULES OF CONDUCT AND PROCEDURE FOR PLANNING AND ZONING PROCESS*
ARTICLE XXIb PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW BOARD*
ARTICLE XXII DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES*
ARTICLE XXIIa OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR AND PUBLIC GUARDIAN*
ARTICLE XXIIb DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL SERVICES*
ARTICLE XXIIc DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION SERVICES*
ARTICLE XXIII DEPARTMENT OF PURCHASING AND CONTRACTING*
ARTICLE XXIIIa RECORDER/COUNTY CLERK*
ARTICLE XXIV PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT*
ARTICLE XXIV-A REGISTRAR OF VOTERS*
ARTICLE XXV SHERIFF*
ARTICLE XXVI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS*
ARTICLE XXVIa OUT-OF-COUNTY/IN-COUNTY BUSINESS*
ARTICLE XXVId LIMITATIONS ON MAKING GIFTS AND PROVIDING MEALS OR BEVERAGES*
ARTICLE XXVIe REIMBURSEMENTS AND ALLOWANCES*
ARTICLE XXVII BOARD OF SUPERVISORS*
ARTICLE XXVIII COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE*
ARTICLE XXVIIIa CODE OF ETHICS*
ARTICLE XXVIIId CONFLICT OF INTEREST INVOLVING FUNDING OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS*
ARTICLE XXIX [ORDINANCES REPEALED]*
ARTICLE XXX DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES*
ARTICLE XXXI PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT AND ASSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS*
ARTICLE XXXII CABLE TELEVISION REVIEW COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XXXIII COUNTY HEARING OFFICER*
ARTICLE XXXIV COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY*
ARTICLE XXXV NOISE CONTROL HEARING BOARD*
ARTICLE XXXVI LITIGATION*
ARTICLE XXXVII DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC DEFENDER*
ARTICLE XXXVIII DEPARTMENT OF ALTERNATE DEFENSE COUNSEL*
ARTICLE XXXVIII-A DEPARTMENT OF ALTERNATE PUBLIC DEFENDER*
ARTICLE XXXIX DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT*
ARTICLE XXXIX-A SAN DIEGO COUNTY HOUSING, INDUSTRIAL AND FINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XXXIX-B MOBILE HOME ISSUES COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XL SAN DIEGO COUNTY PALOMAR AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XLI REMOVAL OF STRIKING EMPLOYEES*
ARTICLE XLI-A COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY*
ARTICLE XLII SAN DIEGO COUNTY INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION*
ARTICLE XLIII SAN DIEGO COUNTY ADMINISTRATION CENTER (CAC) PARKING LOT AD HOC COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE XLIV SAN DIEGO COUNTY REGIONAL GROWTH AND PLANNING REVIEW TASK FORCE*
ARTICLE XLV TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT*
ARTICLE XLVI SAN DIEGO COUNTY REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD ON AIDS/HIV*
ARTICLE XLVII SAN DIEGO COUNTY TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON WATER SUPPLY AND CONSERVATION*
ARTICLE XLVIII SAN DIEGO COUNTY MILITARY AND VETERANS ADVISORY COUNCIL*
ARTICLE XLIX SANTA FE VALLEY WORKING GROUP*
ARTICLE L THE TREASURER-TAX COLLECTOR ELIGIBILITY AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS*
ARTICLE LI SAN DIEGO COUNTYWIDE MOBILEHOME TASK FORCE*
ARTICLE LIII SAN DIEGO COUNTY EMEK HEFER SISTER COUNTY COMMISSION*
ARTICLE LIV SAN DIEGO COUNTY SOLID WASTE HEARING PANEL*
ARTICLE LV SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE LVI SAN DIEGO COUNTY ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE LVII DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND QUALITY*
ARTICLE LIX SAN DIEGO COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE LX SAN DIEGO COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS ADVISORY BOARD*
ARTICLE LXI SAN DIEGO COUNTY FALLBROOK AIRPARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE*
ARTICLE LXII OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES*
ARTICLE LXIII PUBLIC SAFETY REALIGNMENT OF 2011*
ARTICLE LXIV DISTRICT ATTORNEY
CODE COMPARATIVE TABLE
STATE LAW REFERENCE TABLE
San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances
San Diego County Board of Supervisors Policy Manual
SEC. 21.2501. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.
   (a)   On June 30, 2010, the Board of Supervisors for the County of San Diego added to the County Code of Regulatory Ordinances Title 2, Division 1, Chapter 25 relating to medical cannabis collective facilities. The regulatory codes therein determined that the Sheriff's Department would be the issuing and enforcement authority for legally established medical cannabis operation certificates and approved fees to recover the cost of processing applications and compliance monitoring for medical cannabis facility operating certificates.
   (b)   In May 2013, the California Supreme Court issued its decision in City of Riverside v. Inland Empire Patients Health and Wellness Center, Inc., et al., holding that cities and counties have the authority to ban medical cannabis land uses.
   (c)   On October 11, 2015, the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 643, Assembly Bill 266, and Assembly Bill 243, collectively referred to as the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act ("MCRSA"), effective January 1, 2016, which establishes a state licensing system for medical cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, delivery and dispensing, regulating these activities with licensing requirements and regulations that are only applicable if cities and counties also permit cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, or dispensing within their jurisdictions. Under the MCRSA, cities and counties may continue to ban these cannabis facilities and activities, in which case the state will not issue licenses within those jurisdictions.
   (d)   On November 8, 2016, the state voters approved the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA), also identified as Proposition 64 ("Prop 64"). Prop 64 legalized adult non-medical use of cannabis and established a state licensing scheme for non-medical cannabis facilities largely patterned on the MCRSA, and generally (1) allows adults 21 years and older to possess up to one ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to six plants for personal use; (2) regulates and taxes the production, manufacture, and sale of cannabis for adult use; and (3) rewrites criminal penalties so as to reduce the most common cannabis felonies to misdemeanors and allow prior offenders to petition for reduced charges. Prop 64, similar to MCRSA, allows cities and counties to prohibit the establishment of non-medical facilities and licenses that are provided under Prop 64, providing for minimal personal use exceptions.
   (e)   On March 15, 2017, the Board of Supervisors found and determined that amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to ban Medical and Non-Medical Cannabis Facilities throughout any unincorporated zones were reasonable and necessary for public health, safety and welfare, and consistent with the General Plan, and the intent of those amendments was to prohibit the establishment and operation of both Medical and Non-Medical Cannabis Facilities.
   (f)   On March 15, 2017, the Board of Supervisors found and determined that amendments to the Regulatory Ordinances, Section 21.2503(a), to prohibit the Sheriff's Department from issuing any new Medical Cannabis Collective Facility Operating Certificates to facilities that were not lawfully established prior to April 14, 2017, and consistent with San Diego County Zoning Ordinance Section 6935, were reasonable and necessary for public health, safety and welfare. The Board determined that all applicable County Code of Regulatory Ordinances related to the operation of Medical Cannabis Collective Facilities with valid Operating Certificates shall continue to apply until such time as those facilities have been amortized pursuant to Zoning Ordinance Section 6935.
   (g)   In June 2017, California established the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA) through Senate Bill 94. As a combination of its precursors, MCRSA and AUMA, the MAUCRSA became the single regulatory system for governing medicinal and adult-use cannabis in California.
   (h)   On October 6, 2021, the Board of Supervisors finds and determines that amendments to the County Code of Regulatory Ordinances, Section 21.2501 et seq., and removal of Section 6935 of the Zoning Ordinance and associated amortization throughout the unincorporated area are consistent with the General Plan, and the intent of those amendments is to allow the continued operation of existing Medical Cannabis Collective Facilities and allow Medical Cannabis Collective Facilities to engage in Commercial Medical or Adult Use Cannabis activities.
   (i)   On October 6, 2021, the Board of Supervisors finds and determines that Medical Cannabis Collectives Facilities, Commercial Cannabis Microbusinesses and Commercial Cannabis Retailers may sell edible products and branded merchandise. The Board of Supervisors also finds and determines that existing Medical Cannabis Collective Facilities, Commercial Cannabis Microbusinesses, or Commercial Cannabis Retailers may alter existing structures, or add an addition up to 10,000 square feet pursuant to Zoning Ordinance Section 6861.
   (j)   On May 24, 2022, the Board of Supervisors directed the Chief Administrative Officer to explore the establishment of a cannabis licensing program to be managed by Planning & Development Services, Code Compliance rather than by law enforcement and return to the Board with options for the Cannabis Facility Operation Certificate fee.
(Added by Ord. No. 10060 (N.S.), effective 7-30-10; amended by Ord. No. 10474 (N.S.), effective 4-21-17; amended by Ord. No. 10751 (N.S.), effective 11-19-21; amended by Ord. No. 10812 (N.S.), effective 12-16-22)