Riverside sets $7,511 application fee for commercial cannabis testing labs amid mixed council votes
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Summary
Council approved a flat $7,511 commercial cannabis testing laboratory permit application fee after staff presented a market‑comparison and staff‑time analysis; the measure passed 5–2 with Wards 4 and 6 dissenting.
Riverside — The City Council on Nov. 18 adopted a fee of $7,511 for commercial cannabis testing laboratory permit applications, a staff‑recommended flat charge intended to recover the city's administrative and review costs.
Planning staffer Jennifer Lilly, filling in for absent staff, said the proposed flat fee is based on a market basket comparison and a cost analysis of staff time, background checks and administrative overhead. "For the flat fee calculation, we took a look at what the tasks would be in our permitting process," Lilly said, noting the city examined comparable fees in other jurisdictions.
A remote speaker, Jennifer McGrath, who said she represents SOSUS Labs, urged council approval so the company could complete its local permitting and begin operations. "They're looking forward to beginning operations as soon as they're done getting their permit and doing the final testing that is necessary for them to receive their state permit as well," McGrath said.
Councilmember Mill moved to adopt the resolution amending the master fee schedule to include the $7,511 testing‑lab application fee. Council discussion noted the fee is intended to be transparent and predictable for applicants; supporters said it represents reasonable recovery of city costs, while dissenting members raised concerns about fee levels and economic impacts.
The motion passed on a 5–2 vote, with representatives from Ward 4 and Ward 6 recorded as voting no.
City staff said the fee will allow the permitting process for manufacturing, distributing and testing operators to proceed, building on earlier land‑use approvals for cannabis uses.
