Policy Tools for Cannabis

Local Policy Tools

Board of Supervisors Approve Reduced Regulations on Rural Owner Built Homes: Title 25 (2025)

This policy reduces building regulations for rural owner-built homes. Title 25, which refers to a section of state housing regulations, allows owners in rural zones to bypass certain requirements such as mandatory solar system installation, dimmer light switches or engineered construction documents - as long as minimum health and safety standards are met. Owners will be allowed to immediately rent out properties they build if desired.

“This decision reflects our commitment to making housing more affordable and accessible for our residents,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Heidi Hall.

How does this affect cannabis farmers?

If your farm is currently operating in a “transition period” for an owner-built structure on your property, this policy may help you meet the requirements within your permit.
This policy will also ensure that an owner-built home on your land has a pathway to permitting as a permitted permanent dwelling is a local requirement for a cannabis license.
This policy also helps those that have an owner-built home on your property receive the necessary permitting so that you can rent out the structure for an additional source of income.

Supervisors Approve Tiny Home on Wheels as Permanent Housing (2025)

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an ordinance allowing tiny homes on wheels to be used as permanent residences. This policy does not permit recreational vehicles (RVs) to be used as permanent housing. RVs are not intended to be used for long-term occupancy and are built to different standards. This distinction ensures that housing options meet the safety and durability standards required for permanent living.

Tiny homes on wheels will be allowed in all zones that allow traditional built housing as a primary dwelling, accessory dwelling unit (ADU or “granny unit”) or within a dwelling group consistent with allowed density.

How does this affect cannabis farmers?

A permanent residence is one of the requirements to have a local cannabis farm. This policy change provides an affordable option to meet the residency requirements for cannabis permitting.
If two adjacent parcels are less than 30 acres, this policy will allow your business to expand more easily and affordably by allowing you to utilize the maximum canopy square footage per parcel.

On-Farm Vertical Integration through Microbusiness License (2023)

This business strategy allows a cannabis company to own two or more key stages of its supply chain from cultivation to retail sale with all activities taking place at the cultivation location. A Microbusiness License allows an operation that engages in at least three (3) of the following commercial cannabis activities: Cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, and retail sale.

With a development permit, Nevada County cannabis farmers can apply for distribution (Type 11 and Type 13), non volatile manufacturing (Type 6), and non-storefront retail (Type 9). With a use permit, Nevada County cannabis farmers can apply for a storefront retail license for their farm. These new licenses provide opportunities for income diversification, entrepreneurship, and business growth.

Expand Your Mature Flower Canopy (2023)

An ordinance change from 2023 allows you to expand your mature canopy. With a simple amendment to your ADP and updated site plan, you can expand your garden. See ordinance language here (Sec 12.03.300 Sub Section F) for how to calculate your expansion allowance based on the size of your parcel. If you have an adjacent parcel under common ownership or control (lease) you can also qualify for an expanded garden.

On-Farm Retail and Retail in North San Juan or Soda Springs (2023 & 2024)

Storefront Retail Sales means a building, room, or other area that is open to the public, upon the licensed retailer or licensed microbusiness premises authorized to engage in retail sales in which cannabis goods are sold or displayed.

Non-Storefront Retail Sales means conducting retail sales exclusively by delivery as defined in Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 26001(o) and be closed to the public.