Commercial Cannabis Permits now Available
For Immediate Release
June 7, 2018
Mono County Accepting Cannabis Permit Applications
Mono County will begin accepting applications to operate commercial cannabis businesses within the unincorporated county on June 7, 2018, pending a decision to lift the emergency moratorium. If you are interested in applying, here’s what you need to know:
- Two permit applications are required, a use permit and a cannabis operation permit. Application forms will be available online by 5 pm on June 4. Go to https://monocounty.ca.gov/planning, then click on “Applications.”
- Operation permits for commercial cannabis cultivation are limited to a maximum of 10 on a first-come, first-served basis. Cultivation applications MUST be submitted in person at the Community Development Department office in Mammoth Lakes (437 Old Mammoth Road, Ste 220, above Giovanni’s Pizzeria) and be stamped with a date and time of acceptance.
- Payment is requested in the form of checks or money orders. Each permit requires a deposit of $495 when the application is received ($990 total for both applications), and is subject to hourly billing for staff time over five hours.
- Additional fees may be required later to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
- If submitting on June 7, 2018, be prepared to receive a scheduled time slot for later in the day to return and review your application with staff, which could take 30-45 minutes.
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will be returned to the applicant.
- A County business license is required prior to commencing operation.
Much of the necessary information can be assembled prior to release of the application form by following the adopted regulations, which are available online at https://monocounty.ca.gov/planning/page/cannabisregulations.
This application period follows months of work by County staff after adult-use cannabis was legalized by a State ballot measure in 2016. Public input was received through meetings with the Regional Advisory Planning Committees, communities, Planning Commission, and Board of Supervisors throughout 2017. The proposed regulations were adopted on May 8, 2018, with enactment of the ordinances occurring 30 days later.
Staff is not providing initial application reviews or project feedback at this time but is happy to answer process and logistical questions. For more information, contact us at 760-924-1800 or commdev@mono.ca.gov.