Kent County adopts zoning change allowing cannabis processors in Commercial District

Kent County commissioners voted to adopt Code Home Rule Bill 9-2025, a text amendment allowing cannabis processors in the Commercial District C on properties served by public water and sewer. The item was considered in a legislative session after staff noted prior public comment and that the county’s Unified Development Ordinance could require site-plan conditions to address potential odor issues.

Planning staff told commissioners the amendment amends Chapter 222 (Zoning) and adds a use for cannabis processors as defined by Maryland state law, limited to parcels with public water and sewer. Commissioner discussion focused on whether additional odor-control conditions were needed; the planning director and county counsel said the site-plan review process permits design standards that could mitigate odors and that zoning enforcement could address later problems.

One commissioner raised a procedural concern that only two commissioners were present and asked whether the vote should be postponed until the full board could meet. Staff replied that the vote could occur on a later legislative day with at least three days’ newspaper posting but that legislative action could proceed that day. A motion to adopt the bill was seconded and approved by the commission.

The county did not record additional amendments during the session. The commission returned to open session after adopting the bill and congratulated the applicant; no appeal or enforcement action was recorded in the meeting minutes.

The next procedural step for the ordinance is implementation through site-plan review by the planning department and any required permit applications by prospective processors.