The House Of Gremory Consulting

COMPLIANCE


California Cannabis
Compliance & Zoning
Guide

A practical, plain-English reference for licensing, compliance, and zoning in California and the City of Los Angeles. Use this as a working playbook — then verify specifics with the cited agencies before you file.

Check Zoning (ZIMAS)
LA City (DCR) Process
CA DCC Compliance
LA DCR Licensing
METRC & SOPs
Zoning & CEQA

What’s Inside

  1. 1
    California (State) Overview — DCC License types, owners/financial interest, local authorization, CEQA, core compliance.
  2. 2
    Core Compliance Obligations Security, METRC, inventory, packaging/labeling, delivery, advertising, waste, testing, records.
  3. 3
    Los Angeles (City) — DCR & Zoning Application flow, sensitive use buffers, typical zones (M1/M2 for industrial, C2 for certain non-storefront), inspections.
  4. 4
    Zoning Lookup (ZIMAS) Step-by-step guide to evaluating a site.
  5. 5
    Operational Checklists Opening, daily/weekly, quarterly/annual.
  6. 6
    Important Disclaimer Laws change — verify with DCC/DCR and counsel.

California (State) Overview — DCC

The California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) regulates commercial cannabis. To operate, you need both local authorization (city/county) and a DCC state license.
Key authorities include the Business & Professions Code, Title 4 CCR (DCC regs), and Health & Safety Code (for testing/standards).

Core Compliance Obligations (CA DCC)

Below are the day-to-day systems regulators expect. Build these into your SOPs and train staff to them.

Los Angeles — DCR Licensing & Zoning (LAMC)

Zoning Lookup — ZIMAS (LA City)

ZIMAS is LA City’s parcel research tool. Use it to pull a Parcel Profile Report showing zoning (e.g., M1, M2, C2), community plan, overlays, and more. Enter a street address or APN and review the tabs for zoning and planning layers.

ZIMAS — City of Los Angeles: Use this tool to check zoning, overlays, and sensitive uses.

Open ZIMAS in New Tab

How to Evaluate a Site (Quick Steps)

  1. 1
    Search Address in ZIMAS → open Parcel Profile Report. Note the Zoning and any Overlays.
  2. 2
    Confirm Use — Does the zone allow your license type (manufacturing, distro, nursery, non-storefront retail)?
  3. 3
    Measure Buffers to sensitive uses; check fire/life-safety constraints and build-out feasibility.
  4. 4
    Landlord Consent — Secure written permission for cannabis use and inspections.
  5. 5
    Plan Approvals — Determine if you need a CUP or other Planning entitlement in addition to DCR authorization.