Agenda

Return

C.155

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	John Kopchik, Director, Conservation & Development Department
Date:	June 22, 2021

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Update on Development of Ordinances Regulating the Cultivation of Industrial Hemp

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 06/22/2021

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

Contact:

Ruben Hernandez, 925-655-2865

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: June 22, 2021
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ACCEPT the update from the Department of Conservation and Development and the Department of Agriculture on development of permanent industrial hemp ordinances.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The expense for development of the industrial hemp ordinances is included in the budget for both the Department of Conservation and the Agricultural Department.

BACKGROUND:

On March 9, 2021, the Board requested that the Department of Conservation and Development and the Department of Agriculture provide an update on the development of permanent regulations for the cultivation of industrial hemp by June 30, 2021.

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

Since March, both departments have been working on preparing separate, complimentary, ordinances regulating the cultivation of industrial hemp in the unincorporated areas of the County. Staff has prepared a draft zoning ordinance to regulate industrial hemp cultivation by allowing industrial hemp cultivation in certain zoning districts with a land use permit. Staff has also prepared a draft ordinance amending Title 5 of the County Ordinance Code that would establish standards for cultivating industrial hemp and would require a person to obtain a permit from the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner in addition to all other required County and State permits and registrations prior to cultivation. Staff believes that the two ordinances, together, would provide appropriate regulation of industrial hemp cultivation.

The draft zoning ordinance is scheduled to be considered by the County Planning Commission at a public hearing on June 23, 2021. Subject to the Planning Commission's review of the draft zoning ordinance, staff anticipates that it will present both draft ordinances to the Board for consideration in July or August.