Albert Lopez
Planning Director
Planning

Ordinance Development


Between December 2015 and June 2019, County staff and the Board of Supervisors completed a comprehensive review and update of the County Ordinance Code to respond to changes in the commercial cannabis regulatory context at the local and State level. On June 18, 2019, the Board adopted amendments to County's commercial cannabis ordinances.

A list of key meetings held in relation to commercial cannabis since December 2015 are listed below under Meetings and Agendas 2015-2019. These include all meetings of the Board of Supervisors and the Board Transportation and Planning Committee, and many of the other public meetings that were held throughout the ordinance development process.

In late 2020, the Board Transportation/ Planning Committee directed staff to prepare amendments to the cannabis retail and cultivation ordinances, and related changes to the combined cannabis operation (CCO) ordinance. Ordinance amendments were adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 3, 2021. The meetings in relation to these ordinance amendments are listed below under Meetings and Agendas 2020-2021.

Meeting Agendas and Minutes are available below and via the following links:

** For further information regarding commercial cannabis regulation in unincorporated Alameda County, refer to the home page: Commercial Cannabis Regulation in Unincorporated Alameda County.

Meetings and Agendas - 2020-2021


June 3, 2021: Board of Supervisors, Planning Meeting

Second Reading and Adoption of Amendments to County Ordinance Code Regarding Cannabis Retail Operators - Adoption of amendments to Chapter 6.108 and Chapter 6.109 of the County Ordinance Code to allow the remaining unallocated West County cannabis retail permit to be made available in West or East County and, if in East County, to require it to be a boutique operation.

Second Reading and Adoption of Amendments to County Ordinance Code Regarding Cannabis Cultivation Operators - Adoption of amendments to Chapter 6.106 of the County Ordinance Code to allow water hauling from off-site for the purposes of cannabis cultivation.

May 6, 2021: Board of Supervisors, Planning Meeting

First Reading and Introduction of Amendments to County Ordinance Code Regarding Cannabis Retail Operators - Consideration of draft amendments to Chapter 6.108 and Chapter 6.109 of the County Ordinance Code to allow the remaining unallocated West County cannabis retail permit to be made available in West or East County and, if in East County, to require it to be a boutique operation.

First Reading and Introduction of Amendments to County Ordinance Code Regarding Cannabis Cultivation Operators - Consideration of draft amendments to Chapter 6.106 of the County Ordinance Code to allow water hauling from off-site for the purposes of cannabis cultivation.

April 5, 2021: Transportation/Planning Committee

An ordinance amendment to Chapters 6.108 and 6.109 of the County Ordinance Code to allow the remaining unallocated West County cannabis retail permit to be made available in West County or East County and, if in East County, to require it to be a boutique operation.
Staff memo, including attachments

An ordinance amendment to Chapter 6.106 of the County Ordinance Code to allow water-hauling from off-site for the purposes of cannabis cultivation.

March 1, 2021: Planning Commission

Amendments to the County Ordinance Code to allow the remaining unallocated West County cannabis retail permit to be made available in West County or East County and, if in East County, to require it to be a boutique operation.

Amendments to the County Ordinance Code to allow water-hauling from off-site for cannabis cultivation

December 7, 2020: Planning Commission

Amendments to the County Ordinance Code - To allow the remaining unallocated West County cannabis retail permit to be made available in West or East County and, if in East County, to require it to be a boutique operation, and to allow water-hauling from off-site for cannabis cultivation.

December 7, 2020: Transportation/Planning Committee

Proposed amendments to the County Ordinance Code to allow water-hauling from off-site locations for the purposes of cannabis cultivation.

November 2, 2020: Transportation/Planning Committee

Proposed amendments to County Ordinance Code to allow the remaining unallocated West County cannabis retail permit to be made available in West or East County, and if in East County, to require a boutique operation.

October 27, 2020: Agricultural Advisory Committee

Proposed amendments to County Ordinance Code to allow the remaining unallocated West County cannabis retail permit to be made available in West or East County and, if in East County, to require a boutique operation.


Proposed amendments to Cannabis Cultivation Ordinance to allow hauling water from off-site - continued from July 28, 2020 (No staff memo - Committee initiated item)

October 5, 2020: Transportation/Planning Committee

Consideration of potential amendments to the County Ordinance Code to allow the remaining unallocated cannabis retail store permit in West County to be made available in West or East County and, if it is in East County, to be a boutique operation.

September 8, 2020: Transportation/Planning Committee

Discussion on moving dispensary permit from Ashland to East County - Supervisor Scott Haggerty, District 1, Supervisor Nate Miley, District 4, Board of Supervisors (No staff memo - Board initiated item)


Meetings and Agendas - 2015-2019


June 18, 2019: Board of Supervisors, Planning Meeting

Second reading and adoption of the proposed Ordinance amending Chapter 6.106 of the Alameda County General Ordinance Code to regulate the cultivation and distribution of cannabis in the unincorporated area of the County of Alameda;

Second reading and adoption of the proposed Ordinance amending Chapter 6.108 of the Alameda County General Ordinance Code to regulate the retail sale of cannabis

Second reading and adoption of the proposed Ordinance adding Chapter 6.109 to the Alameda County General Ordinance Code to regulate combined cannabis operations

Second reading and adoption of the proposed Ordinance amending Title 17 of the Alameda County General Ordinance Code and the Ashland Cherryland Business District Specific Plan to regulate combined cannabis operations and cannabis testing laboratories in the unincorporated area of the County of Alameda

May 21, 2019: Board of Supervisors, Planning Meeting

First reading and introduction of amendments to the cannabis cultivation ordinance, the cannabis retail ordinance, sections of Title 17, and of the Ashland Cherryland Business District Specific Plan, and the additional of a combined cannabis operations ordinance, to allow permitted cannabis operations to include combined cannabis operations and testing laboratories, in addition to other minor revisions

May 6, 2019: Transportation/Planning Committee

Consideration of draft amendments to Chapter 6.106, Chapter 6.108 and Title 17 of the County Ordinance Code, and the addition of Chapter 6.109, to allow permitted cannabis operations in specified areas to include additional cannabis-related activities, to allow permitted cannabis cultivators to distribute their own cannabis products, to allow cannabis testing labs in specified areas, to allow outdoor cannabis cultivation, to cap conditional use permit fees for cannabis operations, and to add provisions regarding the tracking of child support obligations for cannabis permit holders and employees of permitted operations

May 6, 2019: Planning Commission

Proposed amendments to the cannabis cultivation ordinance, the cannabis retail ordinance, sections of Title 17, the Ashland Cherryland Business District Specific Plan, and the addition of a combined cannabis operations ordinance to allow permitted cannabis operations to include combined cannabis operations and testing laboratories, in addition to other minor revisions

April 25, 2019: Unincorporated Services Committee

Alameda County Cannabis Ordinance Update

April 25, 2019: East County Community Meeting

April 23, 2019: Agricultural Advisory Committee

County Cannabis Ordinances - Proposed ordinance amendments to allow combined cannabis operations and testing labs

April 17, 2019: Sunol Citizens' Advisory Committee

Community Development Agency update on cannabis business permit application process

April 1, 2019: Transportation/Planning Committee

Consideration of draft amendments to Chapter 6.106, Chapter 6.108 and Title 17 of the County Ordinance Code, and the addition of Chapter 6.109, to allow permitted cannabis operations in specified areas to include additional cannabis-related activities, to allow permitted cannabis cultivators to distribute their own cannabis products, to allow cannabis testing labs in specified areas and to add provisions regarding the tracking of child support obligations for cannabis permit holders and employees of permitted operations. Discussion of adopted cultivation permit and monitoring and compliance fees, and potential outdoor cannabis cultivation.

January 7, 2019: Transportation/Planning Committee

Consideration of draft amendments to Chapter 6.106 and Chapter 6.108 of the County Ordinance Code to modify the criteria for participation in commercial cannabis cultivation and retail operations for individuals with prior felony convictions

December 3, 2018: Transportation/Planning Committee
Consideration of draft amendments to Chapter 6.106, Chapter 6.108 and Title 17 of the County Ordinance Code to allow permitted cannabis operations in specified areas to include additional cannabis-related activities, to allow permitted cannabis cultivators to distribute their own cannabis products, to modify criteria for participation in commercial cannabis cultivation and retail operations for individuals with prior felony convictions, and to add provisions regarding the tracking of child support obligations for cannabis permit holders and employees of permitted operations

November 14, 2019: East County Community Meeting

October 1, 2018: Transportation/Planning Committee
Consideration of Draft Amendments to Chapter 6.106, Chapter 6.108 and Title 17 of the County Ordinance Code: to allow permitted cannabis retail operations in specified areas to include additional cannabis cultivators to self-distribute their own cannabis products, to modify the criteria for participation in commercial cannabis cultivation and retail operations for individuals with prior felony convictions, and to add provisions regarding the tracking of child support obligations for cannabis permit holders and employees of permitted operations

September 5, 2018: Transportation/Planning Committee
Consideration of draft amendments to Chapter 6.106, Chapter 6.108 and Title 17 of the County Ordinance Code to allow permitted cannabis retail operations in specified areas to include additional cannabis-related activities, to allow permitted cannabis operations to self-distribute their own cannabis products, to modify the criteria for participation in commercial cannabis cultivation and retail operations for individuals with prior felony conviction, and to add provisions regarding the tracking of child support obligations for cannabis permit holders and employees of permitted operations

August 6, 2018: Transportation/Planning Committee

Consideration of Potential Amendments to County Ordinances for Cannabis Retail Sales and Cultivation for Case-by-Case Review of Felony Convictions of Permit Applicants and Potential Cannabis Facility Employees, and the Addition of Provisions Regarding Payment of Child Support Consideration of Issues regarding County Ordinances for Cannabis Manufacturers, Distributors, Testing Laboratories, and Microbusinesses

July 25, 2018: Unincorporated Services Committee

First Reading and Introduction of Amendments to the Cannabis Retail Ordinance and the Cannabis Cultivation Ordinance to Adopt Regulatory Fees

July 24, 2018: Board of Supervisors, Planning Meeting

Second Reading and Adoption of Amendments to the Cannabis Retail Ordinance and the Cannabis Cultivation Ordinance to Adopt Regulatory Fees

July 9, 2019: Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Committee

Consideration of Issues regarding County Ordinances for Cannabis Manufacturers, Distributors, Testing Laboratories, and Microbusinesses

June 5, 2018: Board of Supervisors, Planning Meeting

First Reading and Introduction of Amendments to the Cannabis Retail Ordinance and the Cannabis Cultivation Ordinance to Adopt Regulatory Fees

June 4, 2018: Transportation/Planning Committee

Consideration of Issues Regarding County Ordinances for Cannabis Manufacturers, Distributors, Testing Laboratories and Microbusinesses

Consideration of Felony Prohibition Provisions in County Ordinances for Cannabis Retail Sales and Cultivation

Consideration of Provisions in County Ordinances for Cannabis Delivery Permits

May 2, 2018: Transportation/Planning Committee
Consideration of Issues Regarding County Ordinances for Cannabis Manufacturers, Distributors, Testing Laboratories and Microbusinesses

Consideration of Fee Ordinance for Cannabis Cultivation, Retail and Delivery Permits

April 18, 2018: Transportation/Planning Committee
Cannabis Cultivation, Retail and Delivery Ordinance Implementation Update
Consideration of Fee Ordinance for Cannabis Cultivation, Retail and Delivery Permits

Consideration of Issues regarding County Ordinances for Cannabis Manufacturers, Distributors, Testing Laboratories, and Microbusinesses

April 17, 2018: Board of Supervisors, Planning Meeting
First Reading of Amendments to the Cannabis Dispensary Ordinances and the Cannabis Cultivation Ordinances and Adoption of Addendum to Mitigated Negative Declaration

March 21, 2018: Transportation/Planning Committee
Consideration of Issues regarding County Ordinances for Cannabis Manufacturers, Distributors, Testing Laboratories, and Microbusinesses

March 8, 2018: Transportation/Planning Committee
Proposed Amendments to the Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances to Allow Permitted Operations to include both Medicinal and Adult-use Cannabis, to Increase the Number of Cultivation Sites Permitted and to remove the Two-Year Sunset Clause from the Cultivation Ordinance (rescheduled from March 5)

February 27, 2018: Board of Supervisors, Planning Meeting
Cannabis Dispensary Operator Permit Appeals
- Appeal regarding the Royal Herb/ Leslie Flannery, proposed cannabis dispensary at 1113 Greenville Road, Livermore (PLN2017-00224)
- Appeal regarding Sunol Ranch LLC, proposed cannabis dispensary at 3220 Andrade Road, Sunol (PLN2017-00226)
- Appeal regarding Larry Gosselin, proposed cannabis dispensary at 7699 Altamont Pass, Livermore (PLN2017-00227)

February 20, 2018: Planning Commission
Amendments to the Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

February 20, 2018: Transportation/Planning Committee
Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances Implementation Update Including Status of Applicant Selection and Permit Process, Proposed Ordinance Amendments, Delivery Permit Process, and Fee Study

February 2, 2018: Administrative Appeals Panel, Cannabis Dispensaries
Cannabis Dispensary Operator Permit Appeals

January 23, 2018: Agricultural Advisory Committee
Proposed amendments to the County cannabis ordinances to increase the number of cultivation sites permitted and to allow the cultivation and sale of adult use cannabis
No Staff Memo available

January 9, 2018: Board of Supervisors, Planning Meeting
Medical Cannabis Cultivation Operator Permit appeals

December 19, 2017: Board of Supervisors, Planning Meeting
Resolution to Allow Adult Use Cannabis at Existing Dispensaries

December 14, 2017: Transportation/Planning Committee
Proposed Adult-Use Cannabis Ordinances (temporary ban) and Medical Cannabis Ordinances Update

December 5, 2017: Board of Supervisors, Planning Meeting
Second Reading of Minor Amendment to Medical Cannabis Cultivation Ordinances
Proposed Adult-Use Cannabis Ordinances (temporary ban)

December 4, 2017: Transportation/Planning Committee
Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances Implementation Update, including Fee Study
Proposed Ordinances for Manufacturing, Testing and Distribution Operations

November 7, 2017: Board of Supervisors, Planning Meeting
First Reading of Minor Amendment to Medical Cannabis Cultivation Ordinances
Resolution rescinding Interim Operations Program for Medical Cannabis Dispensaries and Cultivation

November 6, 2017: Transportation/Planning Committee
Medical Cannabis Ordinances Implementation Update
Medical Cannabis Ordinances Cultivation Pilot Update

October 2, 2017: Transportation/Planning Committee
Medical Cannabis Ordinances Implementation Update and Cannabis Cultivation Pilot Update

September 12, 2017: Board of Supervisors - Second Reading
Proposed Medical Cannabis Dispensary, Delivery and Cultivation Ordinances

August 1, 2017: Board of Supervisors - First Reading
Proposed Medical Cannabis Dispensary, Delivery and Cultivation Ordinances

July 11, 2017: Board of Supervisors, Planning Meeting
Proposed Medical Cannabis Dispensary, Delivery and Cultivation Ordinances

July 10, 2017: Planning Commission
Proposed Medical Cannabis Dispensary, Delivery and Cultivation Ordinances

June 28, 2017: Unincorporated Services Committee
Proposed Medical Cannabis Dispensary, Delivery and Cultivation Ordinances

June 27, 2017: Agricultural Advisory Committee
Revisions to proposed amendments to the County's General Ordinance Code to allow medical cannabis dispensaries and cultivation sites in agricultural areas

June 26, 2017: Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council
Update on Medical Cannabis Dispensary, Delivery, and Cultivation Ordinance Revisions

June 21, 2017: Sunol Citizen's Advisory Committee
Update on Medical Cannabis Ordinance Revisions

June 5, 2017: Transportation/Planning Committee
Update on Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

May 1, 2017: Transportation/Planning Committee
Update on Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

April 25, 2017: Board of Supervisors
Adopt Cannabis Ordinances and Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration

April 3, 2017: Planning Commission
Proposed Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

March 22, 2017: Unincorporated Services Committee
Update on Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

March 20, 2017: Planning Commission
Proposed Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

March 6, 2017: Transportation/Planning Committee
Update on Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

February 27, 2017: Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council
Proposed Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

February 21, 2017: Planning Commission
Proposed Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

February 14, 2017: Transportation/Planning Committee
Proposed Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

February 6, 2017: Planning Commission
Proposed Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinance

January 12, 2017: Transportation/Planning Committee
Update on Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

December 8, 2016: Transportation/Planning Committee
Update on the implications of Proposition 64, and the Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

November 15, 2016: East County Community Meeting

November 7, 2016: Transportation/Planning Committee
Update on Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

October 25, 2016: Agricultural Advisory Committee
Proposed Amendments to the County's General Ordinance Code to allow a limited number of medical cannabis dispensaries and cultivation sites in agricultural areas

October 24, 2016: Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council
Consideration of Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

October 3, 2016: Transportation/Planning Committee
Update on Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

September 28, 2016: Unincorporated Services Committee
Update on Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

September 21, 2016: Sunol Citizens Advisory Committee
Update on Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

September 19, 2016: Planning Commission
Presentation and Discussion of Proposed Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinance

September 12, 2016: Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council
Presentation and Discussion of Proposed Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

September 7, 2016: Transportation/Planning Committee
Update on Medical Cannabis Dispensary and Cultivation Ordinances

July 26, 2016: Agricultural Advisory Committee
Proposed Amendments to the County's General Ordinance Code to allow a limited number of medical cannabis dispensaries and cultivation sites in agricultural areas to implement the State Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act
Presentation Slides (PDF - 1mb)*

July 18, 2016: Board Transportation/Planning Committee
Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act Ordinance and Process Update

June 29, 2016: Unincorporated Services Committee
Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act Presentation of Upcoming Legislation

June 23, 2016: Board Transportation/Planning Committee
Overview and Staff Analysis on the Medical Marijuana Dispensary, Delivery and Cultivation Draft Ordinance

June 20, 2016: Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council
Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act Process Update

May 2, 2016: Board Transportation/Planning Committee
Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act Process Update

April 13, 2016: Board Transportation/Planning Committee
Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act Process Update

January 26, 2016: Board of Supervisors
Second reading and adoption of an Ordinance adding Chapter 6.106 to the General Ordinance Code, related to the prohibition of medical cannabis cultivation and delivery in unincorporated Alameda County

January 21, 2016: Board Transportation/Planning Committee
Update of Recent State Legislative Developments in California Medical Marijuana Law and Alameda County Efforts

January 12, 2016: Board of Supervisors
First reading and adoption of an Ordinance adding Chapter 6.106 to the General Ordinance Code, related to the prohibition of medical marijuana cultivation and delivery in unincorporated Alameda County

December 10, 2015: Board Transportation/Planning Committee
Overview of Recent Developments in California Medical Marijuana Law