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Seaford moves to allow adult‑use marijuana stores; council approves $50,000 annual license fee
Summary
Council held a first reading to permit adult‑use marijuana retail as a use by right in zoning code (public hearing slated for Aug. 26) and unanimously approved a revised fee schedule setting the annual adult‑use retail license at $50,000, effective Sept. 1 if the zoning change is adopted and advertised.
The Seaford City Council on Tuesday held a first reading to amend zoning rules to permit adult‑use marijuana retail as a use by right and approved a separate revision to the city’s fee schedule setting the annual adult‑use retail marijuana business license at $50,000.
City staff presented proposed changes to Section 15 (zoning) that would move adult‑use marijuana stores from a special‑exception category to a permitted use subject to Article 52 specific use regulations, including hours of operation. Under the revised Article 52 language shown to council, hours would be limited to 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon–8 p.m. on Sundays. The presenter said the state Office of Marijuana Control currently permits Sunday sales within similar hours.
Because the zoning change alters the ordinance, the presenter said a public hearing will be held at the second reading, scheduled and advertised for Aug. 26. If council adopts the ordinance after the hearing, staff must advertise the change for 30 days before it takes effect.
Separately, the council approved an amendment to the fee and rate schedule that increases the annual adult‑use retail marijuana business license fee to $50,000, with an effective date listed as Sept. 1, 2025. Dr. Stephanie Grasset moved to approve the fee revision; Councilman Quillen seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Council members discussed concerns about Sunday hours. Councilman Bradley said he was not pleased with sales on Sundays, especially in the downtown area where churches are located, and voiced personal discomfort with Sunday retailing. The presenter clarified that the existing ordinance already limits the number of facilities to two and that the proposed change would not increase that cap; the cap remains in Article 52.
Because the zoning amendment was read for the first time, no council action was required on the zoning language at this meeting; the fee schedule change was approved as presented.
