Cannabis Businesses

• Does the City have an adopted Cannabis Ordinance?
  Yes, Santee Municipal Code (SMC) 7.04 Cannabis Businesses. (Updated 8/15/2024)
• How many commercial cannabis business (CCB) permits for retail applications will be approved?
  Up to four retail applications, including applications for microbusinesses that include storefront retail activities, may be approved by City Council. (SMC 7.04.100) (Updated 8/15/2024)
• How many CCBs currently exist within the City?
  On July 11, 2025, four CCB retail applications were selected to pursue CCB permits as adopted under Resolution 101-2025. Currently, two of the four selected CCBs are operating within the City.  (Updated 7/23/26)
• What land use designations allow retail CCBs?
  Retail CCBs are allowed in the General Commercial (GC), Light Industrial (IL), and General Industrial (IG). (SMC 7.04.290) (Updated 8/15/2024)
• Where can I read the rules and regulations that have been established?
  Santee Municipal Code (SMC) 7.04 Cannabis Businesses
  Application Procedures (Updated 5/29/2025)
• How do I submit a Public Records Act (PRA) Request?
  Requests for records may be submitted to the Clerk’s Office in person, by mail, or via email at clerk@cityofsanteeca.gov. (Updated 3/7/25)
• What should I do to stay up to date on the Cannabis Business Permit Ordinance implementation?
  We encourage all interested parties to visit the Cannabis Businesses webpage regularly for the latest updates on the application process, permitting procedures, and other important information.

In addition, we highly recommend signing up for e-notifications to stay informed about key developments and announcements.

Commercial Cannabis Business Retail Application Results (Updated as of 7/23/25)

2025

8/27

Presentation of community benefit agreements for the four selected commercial cannabis businesses and adoption of Resolution 115-2025 accepting the community benefit agreements by the Santee City Council.
Recording

7/8, 7/10 & 7/11

Phase IV City Council Interviews and Selection Process & Adoption of Resolution 101-2025
July 8 Recording
July 10 Recording
July 11 Recording

6/25/25

Direction on Phase IV Selection Process
Recording

6/11/25

Cannabis 101
Recording*
*Please note: Due to technical difficulties, the audio from the State's presentation did not transmit to our broadcast system. We apologize for the inconvenience. 

April - May

Completed Phase III Interviews

January - March

Completed Phase II Application Evaluation and Review Criteria 

2024

October - January (2025)

Completed Phase I Determination of Eligibility. 

10/24/25

Closed 45 day application period for Retail Cannabis Businesses.

9/10/24

Opened 45 day application period for Retail Cannabis Businesses. 

3/27/24

Cannabis Business Update at the 3-27-2024 Santee City Council Meeting

Cannabis Business agenda item (Item #11 | Item #11 Correspondence)

Meeting Recording | Minutes

3/08/24

Cannabis Business agenda item (Item #6)  Click Here

Meeting Recording | Minutes

2/29/24

To watch the discussion, please visit the timestamp 0:41:26 for the February 28, 2024 Santee City Council Meeting recording on SanteeTV.

2/23/24

Meeting Notice Sent Out
Cannabis Business Update at the 2-28-2024 Santee City Council Meeting .

Cannabis Business agenda item (Item #7)  Click Here.

Meeting Recording | Minutes

2/16/24

The City of Santee is seeking proposals from qualified individuals to serve as a contract Administrative Hearing Officer to preside over hearings on cannabis appeals, review case documentation, prepare written determinations and all other services as outlined in the agreement for services. The RFP opened for bid on February 16, 2024 at 8am and closes on March 18, 2024 at 5pm.

1/25/24

A Cannabis Workshop was held at the January 24, 2024 Santee City Council Meeting.

To watch the update, please visit the timestamp 0:31:20 for the January 24, 2024 Santee City Council Meeting recording on SanteeTV.

1/19/24

Meeting Notice Sent Out
We will have a Cannabis Workshop at the next Santee City Council Meeting occurring on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 6:30pm at Santee City Hall, Council Chambers (10601 Magnolia Ave. Santee, CA 92071). To view the Cannabis Workshop agenda item, please visit Item #5 on the agenda for the January 24 meeting*.

You can watch the meeting live on SanteeTV or AT&T channel 99, Cox channel 117 or Facebook Live @CityofSantee .

*Members of the public who wish to comment on matters on the City Council agenda or during Non-Agenda Public Comment may appear in person only and submit a speaker slip, before the item is called.  Your name will be called when it is time to speak. Please note that while members of the public are generally permitted to speak for three minutes during the public comment period, in accordance with City Council Policy 2019-1, the Mayor may reduce the usual three minute time limit to provide for an orderly meeting when numerous comments are expected. (City Council Policy 2019-1, § 10.2; Gov. Code § 54954.3) Any reduction of speaker time will be announced before the public comment period begins

2023

12/8/23

We will have a Cannabis Business update at the next Santee City Council Meeting occurring on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 6:30pm at Santee City Hall, Council Chambers (10601 Magnolia Ave. Santee, CA 92071). To view the Cannabis Business update agenda item, please visit Item #15 on the agenda for the December 13 meeting*.

You can watch the meeting live on SanteeTV or AT&T channel 99, Cox channel 117 or Facebook Live @CityofSantee .

*Members of the public who wish to comment on matters on the City Council agenda or during Non-Agenda Public Comment may appear in person only and submit a speaker slip, before the item is called.  Your name will be called when it is time to speak. Please note that while members of the public are generally permitted to speak for three minutes during the public comment period, in accordance with City Council Policy 2019-1, the Mayor may reduce the usual three minute time limit to provide for an orderly meeting when numerous comments are expected. (City Council Policy 2019-1, § 10.2; Gov. Code § 54954.3) Any reduction of speaker time will be announced before the public comment period begins

2022

11/9/22

On Wednesday, November 9, 2022, the Santee City Council heard an update on actions and process steps to implement Ordinance No. 602.

City Council Meeting 11/9/2022 (Time Stamp 1:44:10)

8/10/22

On Wednesday, August 10 2022, the Santee City Council approved the Amendment to Chapter 7.04 of Title 7 (“Public Peace, Morals, and Welfare”) of the Santee Municipal Code to Regulate Cannabis Businesses. The ordinance went into effect on September 9, 2022. (Certified Copy of Ordinance No. 602). View the Ordinance map here.

City Council Meeting 8/10/22 (Time Stamp 1:04:52)

• Application Procedures Manual
• Cannabis Business Permit Application
• Financial Responsibility
• Indemnification Agreement
• How to Apply for a Cannabis Business Permit
• Property Owner Consent Landlord Affidavit
• Zoning Verification Letter Request Form
• Determination of Legal Parcel
• Request for Live Scan Service
• Background Application and Release Waiver