Planning Commission recommends council adopt ordinance to allow cannabis delivery offices and a new regulatory permit

The Paso Robles Planning Commission on July 30 recommended City Council adopt an ordinance to allow non‑storefront cannabis retailers (delivery offices) in the Riverside Corridor and C‑3 commercial‑industrial zones and to establish a new cannabis regulatory permit, voting 5–0 to forward Draft Resolution PC 206‑2.

Staff said the ordinance would repeal Resolution 22‑144 (which named specific businesses), remove a numeric cap on non‑storefront retailers, add cannabis uses to the city’s land‑use tables, and create a regulatory permit in Title 5 that provides ongoing, operator‑specific oversight. "The cannabis regulatory permit will provide some additional oversight going forward," Associate Planner Katie Bannister told the commission, summarizing requirements such as annual (or periodic) inspections, security plans, background checks and financial audits.

The proposed regulatory permit would be required in addition to a conditional use permit (CUP) and business license. Operational rules discussed include no on‑site customers at delivery offices, manifest and pre‑order requirements before drivers depart, registration of delivery vehicles with GPS tracking data retained for 90 days, driver identification, and limits on exterior signage and proximity buffers (600 feet) from schools, day cares, youth centers and public parks.

Commissioners debated audit and renewal frequency and the city manager's revocation authority. Finance Manager Catherine Piatti said the city’s proposal could require full audits every three years while police staff preferred annual inspections. Commissioners asked staff to consider a multi‑year audit cycle tied to renewal and to clarify nuisance and revocation language so that enforcement would not rest solely with a single official.

Several public commenters supported the ordinance’s enforcement improvements and asked about tax and oversight for out‑of‑city operators. Local business owner Megan Souza (Megan’s Organic Market) said she supports establishing a delivery office in town and urged quick implementation. Resident Linda George urged clear oversight and questioned the appropriateness of single‑person revocation authority: "I agree that one person shouldn't have that ability to take something or a business away from somebody," she said.

The commission’s approval was a recommendation to council; the ordinance requires two council readings and concurrent actions (repeal of Resolution 22‑144 and establishment of a permit fee). If council makes the ordinance effective, staff said the city would accept regulatory permit applications 30 days after the second reading.

Next steps: the Planning Commission’s recommendation will go to City Council for formal consideration at two readings, where council will set final permit periods, fees and any amendments.