Commercial Cannabis Permit

Applications will be accepted from March 27, 2023 - May 4, 2023.

Please note, several documents, including the application, have been updated as of March 24, 2023. Please use and refer to the most current versions of all documents when preparing and submitting your applications.

Due to current volume of last minute requests, in lieu of an approved zoning verification letter, permit applications will be deemed complete if a request for zoning verification application has been completed and included with the Cannabis Permit application. Please also note that, if the location submitted does not meet the requirements of the city and does not receive an approved zoning verification letter from the city, the permit application will be rejected as incomplete.

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Cannabis in the City of Fontana

This page is designed to be the one location to find all the information you will need to know on Cannabis in Fontana.

Background

On November 8, 2016, California voters passed Proposition 64, the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act ("AUMA"), legalizing the use and possession of cannabis and cannabis products by adults aged 21 years and older. On June 27, 2017, Senate Bill 94 was signed into law, which created a single regulatory scheme for both medicinal and non-medicinal cannabis known as the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act ("MAUCRSA"). MAUCRSA gives local jurisdictions, including the City of Fontana ("City"), the authority to adopt and enforce local ordinances regulating cannabis businesses. On January 1, 2018, State licensing authorities began issuing licenses to businesses that operate in local jurisdictions that allow commercial cannabis activity.

The City is now allowing cannabis retail establishments that would be permitted to operate. The City will allow three (3) storefront retailers. This will be for the sale of cannabis by delivery to customers by those same storefront retailers. The three (3) Permits issued would be issued for one of three designated areas within the City (i.e., North, Central, and South).

Cannabis

Below is the Municipal Code Chapter and other regulations related to the Commercial Cannabis Permit (CCP) in the City. More information will be provided through this page as it becomes available.

Application, Fee, Links, and Forms

Cannabis Area Map

Maximum Number of Permits

The maximum number of Commercial Cannabis Permits that may be issued in the City is three (3). One may be used for the North Area, one may be issued for the Central Area and one may be issued for the South Area. this is based on the boundaries of the Commercial Cannabis Map approved by the City Council.

Scoring Process

The process for issuing a Commercial Cannabis Permits to qualified cannabis businesses is meant to result in qualified businesses that will operate in accordance with state and local law, be successful, contribute positively to the community and local economy, and avoid secondary adverse impacts.  The application process includes four phases. 

Phase 1: Application submittal.  This includes submitted complete information, completed Livescan and background check information (state and federal database) of all Responsible Persons, processing fees, conceptual renderings and location identification.

Phase 2: Initial scoring of application by a qualified third party. 

Phase 3:  Interview process.

Phase 4: Final scoring, and, if permit available, permit issuance.

FAQ’s

If you have any questions regarding the process for the Commercial Cannabis Permit, please contact the City Manager's office at cannabispermitting@fontana.org.