Updated: June 9, 2026, Commercial Cannabis Businesses Overview: , The City of Hayward allows commercial cannabis businesses to operate in the City. The following commercial cannabis business activities are allowed in the City: Cultivation Delivery, including non-storefront Retail Distribution Manufacturing (Type 1 and 2) Microbusiness (Type 12) Testing Laboratory Storefront Retail* *Please note that applications for new Storefront Retail Dispensaries are, not, currently being accepted; however non-storefront retail applications, as part of a Commercial Cannabis Delivery operation, or ancillary storefront retail, as part of a Commercial Cannabis Microbusiness (Type 12), will continue to be accepted until further notice. , Permitting Process Overview: , To operate a commercial cannabis business in the City, a Commercial Cannabis Permit, land use entitlement (if applicable), State License and business license are required. However, applicants must undergo a preliminary determination of eligibility process prior to applying for a Commercial Cannabis Permit. Permit submission flow chart , Commercial Cannabis Preliminary Determination of Eligibility Process: , Prior to the submittal of a Preliminary Determination of Eligibility, applicants are encouraged to check the City’s GIS map, which shows the zoning districts where different cannabis activities are allowed. For questions or clarifications about this map, please contact the Planning Division at (510) 583-4216 or email: planning.division@hayward-ca.gov . , Cannabis Land Use Maps, Prospective commercial cannabis businesses shall complete a Preliminary Determination of Eligibility application. Preliminary Determination of Eligibility Applications are subject to all the screening criteria in Chapter 6, Article 14 of the Hayward Municipal Code . , Preliminary Determinations of Eligibility applications are not currently being accepted. This page will be updated when the next application window opens. , The completed application form with all the supporting information and fees must be submitted for review and procession through the City's e-permitting system. Application fees and deposit information can be found at: https://www.hayward-ca.gov/your-government/documents/master-fee-schedule, E-Permits Portal, Any questions or inquiries about this process should be forwarded in writing to Steve Kowalski, Senior Planner, Steve.Kowalski@hayward-ca.gov . , Commercial Cannabis Business Permit Process: , If the Preliminary of Determination of Eligibility has been approved, prospective Commercial Cannabis Businesses will be invited to submit a formal Commercial Cannabis Business Permit and any associated land use entitlement application, if required. Commercial Cannabis Businesses are subject to compliance with Chapter 6, Article 14 of the Hayward Municipal Code and Chapter 10, Article 1, Section…, E-Permits Portal, Commercial Cannabis Land-Use Permit Process: , If a land use entitlement (i.e. Conditional Use Permit) is required, the land use entitlement process will be concurrent with the Commercial Cannabis Business Permit process and will be overseen by the City of Hayward’s Planning Division. Projects are reviewed for compliance with the applicable development and operational standards, building codes, and fire codes (including hazardous materials),…, E-Permits Portal, State License, : All commercial cannabis businesses must have a valid State license to operate in Hayward. The State will require evidence that an applicant is in compliance with all City regulations and ordinances prior to issuing a State license. More information can be found on the Department of Cannabis Control’s (DCC) website at https://www.cannabis.ca.gov ., Business License, : Once the Commercial Cannabis Business Permit and, if required, the land use entitlement have been approved, then an application for a business license must be submitted. Please see the City’s business license website for more information or contact the Revenue Division at (510) 583-4000 or by email at businesslicense@Hayward-ca.gov ., Commercial Cannabis Business Permit Renewal: , Commercial Cannabis Business Permits are valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance and shall be renewed annually. Permittees may apply for renewal in writing no later than sixty (60) days before the expiration of the current permit. The application for renewal shall include: A statement updating information from the original permit application or certifying that the information…, Transfers of Ownership, : Transfers of ownership interests that result in new majority ownership are not permitted and operators will be required to re-apply for a new Commercial Cannabis Business Permit, consistent with the provisions outlined in Chapter 6, Article 14 of the Hayward Municipal Code . A permittee shall notify the City if it intends to transfer partial ownership or operational control of a commercial…, Required Permit Fees/Deposit:, Application fees and deposit information for all Commercial Cannabis Businesses, including annual Commercial Cannabis Business Permit renewals can be found at: https://www.hayward-ca.gov/your-government/documents/master-fee-schedule ., For More Information: , For general questions, please contact the Planning Division at planning.division@hayward-ca.gov or (510) 583-4216. For questions regarding background checks or security plans, please contact Gabrielle Wright with the Hayward Police Department at gabrielle.wright@hayward-ca.gov or (510) 293-7013.
Type: Permit
