No person or entity shall engage in industrial hemp cultivation, manufacturing, processing, or storage within the unincorporated area of the County, and no County permit, registration, or approval of any type shall be issued therefor. This prohibition is subject to the following exceptions, which shall be narrowly interpreted:
(a) The indoor cultivation of hemp in a structure dedicated solely to the cultivation of hemp for purposes of nursery stock, transplants, research or seed breeding. Effective pollen control methods to minimize pollen escape and offsite migration shall be utilized. All other indoor cultivation of industrial hemp is prohibited.
(b) The Agricultural Commissioner is authorized to monitor, inspect, and take all other appropriate actions to determine whether indoor hemp cultivation complies with this exemption and other applicable legal requirements, and to take enforcement action (including but not limited to abatement) or refer violations to other departments or agencies with authority to abate or otherwise address a violation.
(c) Manufacturing, processing, and storage activities that are incidental to the lawful cultivation of industrial hemp conducted in full compliance with the exemptions set forth herein for nursery stock, transplants, research or seed breeding within the County.
(d) Storage of harvested industrial hemp at a facility used for such purpose as February 25, 2020. To utilize this exemption, prior to April 9, 2020, the owner or an authorized lessee of the storage facility must complete a registration form provided by the Agricultural Commissioner to establish a record of the existing use. The form shall be accompanied by certified laboratory test results relating to THC content and any other information reasonably required by the Agricultural Commissioner to implement this exemption. Stored hemp shall be subject to inspection and retesting at the sole cost and expense of the responsible party upon request by the Agricultural Commissioner or Sheriff. If the storage of industrial hemp at said facility thereafter ceases, it may not be renewed.
(§ 1, Ord. 1519, eff. April 9, 2020, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1532, eff. January 14, 2021)