Compliance Timeline for All Los Angeles Applicants and Licensees

The Los Angeles Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) has established a multi-year compliance schedule requiring Applicants and Licensees to obtain

• Public Health Permit
• Building Permit
• Certificate of Occupancy

The Applicants must submit plans to the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) for plan check prior to the next renewal period, beginning in September 2026. 

Public Permit Deadline: 

By September 1, 2026, all Applicants and Licensees must obtain an active Public Health Permit from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) covering each Commercial Cannabis Activity listed on their License.

Reference: DCR Rules & Regulations, Regulation No. 5, Section A(8)(i)

Renewal Cycle Beginning September 2026:

With this renewal cycle, Applicants and Licensees must submit:

• The LIC-4025 Form
• Their Public Health Permit
• Their LADBS Clearance Summary Worksheet

Applicants must attest that they understand and acknowledge the requirement to obtain a Building Permit from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) by September 1, 2027.

Reference: DCR Rules & Regulations, Regulation No. 5, Section A(8)(i)(b)

Building Permit Deadline:

By September 1, 2027, each Applicant and Licensee must obtain a valid Building Permit from LADBS for all Commercial Cannabis Activities.

Reference: DCR Rules & Regulations, Regulation No. 5, Section A(8)(i)(b)

Renewal Cycle Beginning September 2027:

Applicants and Licensees must submit the LIC-4025 Form and attest:

• They have obtained a Building Permit, and
• They will complete all required inspections to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy by September 1, 2029. 

Reference: DCR Rules & Regulations, Regulation No. 5, Section A(8)(i)(c)

Start Certificate of Occupancy Inspection Process: 

By September 1, 2028, all Applicants and Licensees must have formally started the inspection process under their Building Permit and be actively working toward completing all LADBS inspections.

Reference: DCR Rules & Regulations, Regulation No. 5, Section A(8)(i)(d)

Renewal Cycle Beginning September 2028:

Applicants and Licensees must submit the LIC-4025 Form and attest:

• Have begun the inspection process, and
• Are progressing toward obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy by September 1, 2029.

Reference: DCR Rules & Regulations, Regulation No. 5, Section A(8)(i)(d)

Certificate of Occupancy Deadline:

By September 1, 2029, all Applicants and Licensees must:

• Obtain a valid Certificate of Occupancy from LADBS
• Maintain an active Public Health Permit from LACDPH for all Commercial Cannabis Activities.

Reference: DCR Rules & Regulations, Regulation No. 5, Section A(8)(i)(e)

Renewal Cycle Beginning September 2029:

By September 1, 2029, all Applicants and Licensees must:

• Obtain a valid Certificate of Occupancy from LADBS
• Maintain an active Public Health Permit from LACDPH for all Commercial Cannabis Activities

Reference: DCR Rules & Regulations, Regulation No. 5, Section A(8)(i)(e)

Operating Permit Requirements:

Starting January 1, 2031, all Licensees must obtain a DCR Operating Permit to conduct any Commercial Cannabis Activity. To qualify, a Licensee must:

• Pass a Final Inspection or their 2030 Annual Compliance Inspection
• Submit both a Certificate of Occupancy and an active Public Health Permit

After this date, no cannabis operations may occur without an Operating Permit.

Reference: DCR Rules & Regulations, Regulation No. 5, Section A(9)

Final Expiration of All Temporary Approvals:

Any Temporary Approval issued for the year 2031 cannot be renewed and will EXPIRE on December 31, 2031 at 11:59 p.m.

Reference: Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Sec. 104.05(i)

***

DCR may renew Temporary Approval for Social Equity Licensees conducting Storefront Retailer Commercial Cannabis Activity only until February 28, 2031. DCR may renew Temporary Approval for all other Licensees until February 28, 2027. 

Reference: Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Sec. 104.05(h)

If you need assistance navigating any of the deadlines or requirements outlined above, our firm is here to help. We provide full support with application preparation, renewal submissions, LADBS and Public Health permitting, compliance documentation, and ongoing regulatory guidance. 

You can rely on us to manage your application and keep your business on track. Feel free to reach out to our team for reliable assistance with all aspects of your cannabis licensing and compliance needs.