How to Apply for Cannabis BOP

application entry open_in_full

Step 1: Conditional Use Permit (CUP) – Planning Division

All applications must be submitted through Planning's online portal. To check if a property already has an approved CUP, please utilize this search engine.

Step 2: Business Operating Permit – Office of Cannabis Management

Once you have submitted a complete CUP application, you will receive an application file number (Z file or P file). With this number, you can submit an application for a Business Operating Permit (BOP).

The application is only valid for 180 days. It will be deemed “Abandoned” if the application is not approved and the extension fee of $500 and form is not submitted before 180 days.

The following checklists for a new BOP application per permit type will assist you with the process

After CUP is approved and while BOP application is in process, proceed to step 3.

Step 3: Building Permits/ Tenant Improvements and Certificate of Occupancy – Building Department

The Building Department's public counters are open by appointment only. All building department applications must be submitted online. Please visit the Building Department online portal and select appropriate service you need. 

Step 4: State License from Department of Cannabis Control

Applying for your State license may also take place before Step 3. However, it is best to take your tenant improvement schedule into consideration to make sure that you have a valid (unexpired) State license as your application goes into the BOP final review step and/or start operating your cannabis business.

Step 5: The Final Review – Office of Cannabis Management

After the Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) is issued, contact OCM to schedule a BOP walkthrough (a walkthrough will not be scheduled until all of the documents are sufficient). Walkthroughs are conducted by the Sacramento Police Department, Code Enforcement and OCM on Wednesdays only. To help you prepare, please refer to this walkthrough checklist to ensure that requirements are in place and ready for evaluation. The checklist also contains information on what to expect after your walkthrough.

During this time, your BOP application goes into final review, and if there are no corrections from the walkthrough and the application documents are sufficient, the BOP will be issued.

Other Non-City Requirements

CEQA Compliance

If the City has determined that the project is exempt from CEQA review, applicants can obtain from their planner a completed Notice of Exemption (NOE). The NOE must be filed with these agencies:

  1. Sacramento County Clerk, and
  2. the State Office of Planning and Research (OPR). There is no fee for filing with OPR. The applicant must file the notice of exemption in order to obtain a date-stamped copy of the NOE required to apply for a Department of Cannabis Control State license.

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