The City of Novato is currently soliciting proposals from operators seeking to establish specific types of allowable commercial cannabis businesses within the City, with submissions due no later than 5:00pm, Monday, January 24, 2022. View Request for Proposals (RFP)

The City currently has the following commercial cannabis business permits available:

• Testing Laboratory – 2
• Manufacturing – 2
• Indoor Cultivation – 1
• Microbusiness – 2 
• Distribution – 1 if standalone business/unlimited if ancillary activity
• Non-storefront Retail – unlimited

The Novato City Council formally adopted a commercial cannabis Licensing Ordinance and Zoning Ordinance on November 12, 2019, and adopted Resolution 2019-069 which establishes the process for evaluating commercial cannabis business proposals, issuing commercial cannabis licenses and operations parameters for commercial cannabis business activities. Storefront retail is currently not allowed in Novato.

In October 2020, the City issued its first RFP for commercial cannabis operators, and on January 12, 2021, the City Council awarded conditional approval to three cannabis businesses (one indoor cultivation, one non-storefront retail, and one microbusiness). Those operators are currently in the process of securing their State licenses, completing building improvements, and completing the process to begin day-to-day operations.

Proposals received through the 2021 RFP will be evaluated and presented for City Council consideration in early 2022. Any questions should be directed to Will Morat at wmorat@novato.org or 415-899-8933.

Additional information is available at novato.org/cannabis.