The State of Oregon issues licenses for growing, processing and selling marijuana. As part of this process, you must also register your business with Multnomah County, and then submit your Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) for approval.
In order to register a marijuana business in unincorporated Multnomah County and receive your LUCS, you must meet these requirements:
- The business must be in the correct zone.
- The business must be 1000 feet from any school.
- The business must meet certain land use standards.
To begin the registration process, submit the registration and fee to the Land Use Planning office.
For land use purposes, there are five types of marijuana business:
- Outdoor Production: Planting, cultivating, growing, harvesting and drying marijuana, in the open or in a greenhouse or similar non-rigid structure that does not use artificial lighting on mature plants.
- Indoor production: Planting, cultivating, growing, harvesting and drying marijuana, using artificial lights on mature plants or in any other manner than Outdoor Production (above).
- Processing: Processing, compounding or converting marijuana into cannabinoid products, concentrates, and/or extracts.
- Wholesale: Purchase quantities of marijuana from other licensed facilities and selling the products to licensed retailers, processors, producers, other wholesalers, or research certificate holders.
- Retail: Selling or delivering marijuana items directly to consumers.
Different rules apply to each type of business.
Zoning requirements
A marijuana business must be in the correct zone. Each type of business has its own zoning requirements.
Marijuana businesses are not permitted within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Areas (NSA).
Distance from schools
You must verify that your business site is not within 1000 feet of a public or private school.
The Oregon Health Authority’s School Footprint Buffer Areas map shows areas within the thousand foot limit. You may use this map for a rough measurement. However, we use alternate methods for measuring distances. The method used depends on the zone:
- Exclusive Farm Use Zone (EFU) – Measurement shall be made using a straight line extending horizontally from the closest school property line to the closest part of any canopy area or building or structure used for marijuana production or marijuana processing.
- All other zones – Measurement shall be made using a straight line extending horizontally from the closest school property line to the closest point anywhere on the property line of the marijuana business property.
Land use standards
Some of the most common standards for marijuana businesses are listed below. In addition, you must comply with all applicable county land use standards.
The following uses are not allowed as a Home Occupation:
- Marijuana Business
- Private or public research of cannabis
- Laboratory for the testing of marijuana items
The following are not permitted uses:
- A new dwelling used in conjunction with a marijuana crop.
- A farm stand, as described in ORS 215.283(1)(o), used in conjunction with a marijuana crop.
- A commercial activity, as described in ORS 215.283(2)(a), carried on in conjunction with a marijuana crop.
Marijuana businesses are not permitted within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Areas (NSA).
Getting Started
Your business will require one of three types of review, based on business type and zoning. The first step is to contact us.
After review and registration, we will sign your Land Use Compatibility Statement. This lets the Oregon Liquor Control Commission know whether you have complied with county land use codes in order to get your marijuana business license.
