The Storefront Consumption Permit checklist is the City of Sacramento's step-by-step guide for a storefront cannabis dispensary that wants to add a consumption lounge to its Business Operating Permit (BOP). The City of Sacramento Finance Department, through its Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), handles the BOP step. It covers only this cannabis add-on, not a general Sacramento business license. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the City publishes the original checklist at the official URL below.
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What is Storefront Consumption Permit – Sacramento, CA?
The Storefront Dispensary – Consumption Lounge Cannabis Business Operating Permit NEW Application Step-by-Step Checklist is the City of Sacramento's six-page guide for applying to add a consumption lounge to a storefront cannabis dispensary's business operating permit (BOP).
It follows the five-year cannabis social consumption pilot program for established storefront dispensaries that the City Council approved on November 19, 2024. Lounges are allowed in specific zones, subject to the Sacramento City Code (SCC) under Title 5 and Title 17. The checklist itself says it is not an exhaustive list of requirements.
It walks through five steps:
- Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the Planning Division.
- Building permits and a Certificate of Occupancy (COO) from the Building Department.
- The BOP application to the Office of Cannabis Management, with its documentation package.
- Payment of the BOP application fee.
- A final walk-through by OCM.
The checklist distinguishes two lounge types. A Type 1 Condition (non-smoking consumption) lets the permittee allow consumption other than by smoking or vaping. A Type 2 Condition (all consumption) also allows smoking or vaping.
The checklist is separate from the Consumption Lounge Add-On – Application, the City document that holds the Property Owner's Statement of Consent and the Food Facilities Form. It also differs from the checklists for other cannabis permit types, such as the Storefront Dispensary New Application Step-by-Step Checklist.
Who needs to file Storefront Consumption Permit – Sacramento, CA?
Storefront cannabis dispensary permittees that want to add a consumption lounge to their storefront BOP use this checklist. The pilot program is for established storefront dispensaries, and lounges are allowed only in specific zones under Sacramento City Code Titles 5 and 17.
The checklist also sets conditions on who may be covered:
- Type 1 applicants plan non-smoking consumption; Type 2 applicants plan all consumption, including smoking or vaping. Type 2 applicants have extra items, such as a Ventilation Plan.
- The checklist says that a storefront dispensary applicant should contact the Office of Cannabis Management for next steps.
- A valid State storefront dispensary license is part of the documentation package.
- Lounges that sell prepackaged food and beverages must become a permitted food facility under the County of Sacramento's Retail Food Protection Program.
Other City permits may apply to some lounges, such as an Amusement Arcades permit for three or more arcade games, a Bingo Permit or an entertainment permit. The property owner or landlord must give written, notarized consent.
When to file Storefront Consumption Permit – Sacramento, CA
Start with the Conditional Use Permit and the building permits: the BOP package needs the Planning Division's record of decision and a COO specific to the business type. Once the documentation package is emailed and the application fee is paid, OCM begins its review. The application is valid for 180 days with no extensions; if the 180 days run out, you may apply again with a complete application and a new fee.
OCM schedules the final walk-through as part of its secondary review. It does not schedule one until the location has been issued a COO, and walk-throughs take place only on Thursdays. At renewal, the storefront permit fee is adjusted to the type of lounge the business operates. The City's cannabis FAQ says BOPs are valid for one year and renewed annually.
Documents you need
- Conditional Use Permit: a copy of the Planning Division's record of decision approving the consumption lounge designation.
- Certificate of Occupancy (COO): a copy of the site's COO specific to the business type applied for.
- Property Owner's Statement of Consent: written consent of the owner or landlord, with street address and parcel number, completed, signed and notarized (found in the Consumption Lounge Add-On – Application).
- Floor plan: a scaled plan of the storefront and lounge prepared by a licensed civil engineer or architect; add a detailed food preparation diagram if prepackaged food and beverages will be sold.
- Security and Lighting Plan: a detailed plan prepared by a valid qualified professional (PPO #, ACO#), showing existing and proposed lights.
- State license: a copy of a valid State storefront dispensary license from the Department of Cannabis Control.
- Consumption Lounge Operation Plan: business-specific standard operating procedures covering activities, capacity monitoring, age verification, time limits, staffing, training, emergency response and the community relations employee.
- Impaired Driving Prevention Plan: how patrons will leave the lounge and reach safe transportation, with ridesharing and transit information examples.
- Ventilation Plan: required for Type 2 only; describes the HVAC system, negative pressure, no air recirculation and odor control under SCC 5.150.1390.
- Food Facilities Form: lists all prepackaged food and beverages to be sold (found in the Consumption Lounge Add-On – Application).
How to fill out Storefront Consumption Permit – Sacramento, CA
Choose your lounge type
Decide between the Type 1 Condition (non-smoking consumption) and the Type 2 Condition (all consumption, including smoking or vaping). The type sets the fee and whether a Ventilation Plan is needed.
Check item 1: Conditional Use Permit
Mark item 1 once you have applied for a CUP through the Planning Division's online portal, or modified an existing storefront dispensary CUP to include the lounge.
Check item 2: building permits
Mark item 2 after you apply online through the Building Department and obtain a Certificate of Occupancy specific to the cannabis consumption type.
Gather the BOP application documents
Under item 3, mark each document as you collect it: CUP record of decision, COO, notarized Property Owner's Statement of Consent, floor plan, Security and Lighting Plan, and State license.
Prepare the operation plan
Complete the Consumption Lounge Operation Plan: lounge activities, capacity monitoring and age verification (21+), time limits, entry and exit, manager presence, training, emergency response and the community relations employee's name, title and phone number.
Add the remaining plans and forms
Prepare the Impaired Driving Prevention Plan and, for Type 2 only, the Ventilation Plan. Fill out the Food Facilities Form from the Consumption Lounge Add-On – Application if you will sell prepackaged food and beverages.
Email the package and pay the fee
Mark item 3 when the complete package is emailed to OCM, then mark item 4 when the fee for your lounge type is paid. Review starts only after both.
Prepare for the final walk-through
Mark item 5 when OCM has scheduled the walk-through. Review the BOP walk-through checklist beforehand, and note that the walk-through follows the COO and happens on Thursdays.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that every checklist item you completed is marked. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then follow the channels under How to submit.
How to submit Storefront Consumption Permit – Sacramento, CA
The checklist uses three channels: the Planning Division's online portal, the Building Department's online portal and email to OCM.
- Conditional Use Permit: submit the application through the Planning Division's online portal. A property with an approved CUP for a storefront dispensary needs it modified to reflect the consumption lounge conditions.
- Building permits: submit all Building Department applications through its online portal. Public counters are open by appointment only.
- BOP application: email the complete documentation package to [email protected]. OCM then adjusts the storefront permit on file by the fee for the lounge type requested.
- Fee: the application must be both submitted and paid before review begins. Fees are non-refundable and are waived for CORE businesses and Veterans. The amounts depend on lounge type; see the City's Business Operating Permit Fees page or ask OCM.
- Walk-through: OCM contacts you to schedule it, on a Thursday, after the COO is issued.
The checklist is a guide, not a substitute for checking all applicable requirements. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Emailing an incomplete documentation package; the checklist calls for a complete package, and the application lapses after 180 days with no extensions.
- Sending the application without paying the fee; OCM begins review only when the application is both submitted and paid for.
- Planning a lounge larger than 1,500 square feet or 50% of the dispensary site's total floor area, whichever is smaller.
- Designing a lounge whose interior is visible from the public right-of-way, the main entrance or lobby, or not separated from the dispensary by solid walls and doors.
- Submitting a floor plan not prepared by a licensed civil engineer or architect.
- Leaving the Ventilation Plan out of a Type 2 application, or planning a system that recirculates air.
- Storing, displaying or mixing prepackaged food or beverages with cannabis products on site (SCC 5.150.1500(C)).
- Expecting a walk-through before the COO is issued; OCM does not schedule one until then, and only on Thursdays.
- Skipping the notarization of the Property Owner's Statement of Consent.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Storefront Consumption Permit a Sacramento business license?
No. It is a City of Sacramento checklist for adding a consumption lounge to a storefront cannabis dispensary's Business Operating Permit, which the Office of Cannabis Management reviews. It does not replace any general Sacramento business license.
What is the difference between a Type 1 and a Type 2 consumption lounge?
Type 1 authorizes consumption other than by smoking or vaping. Type 2 authorizes all consumption, including smoking or vaping, and also requires a Ventilation Plan and a description of manager rotation and protection from second-hand smoke.
Where do I send the consumption lounge BOP application?
Email the complete documentation package to [email protected]. The CUP and building permit applications go through the Planning Division and Building Department online portals instead.
Is there a fee, and who is exempt?
Yes. The fee depends on the lounge type, is non-refundable and is waived for CORE businesses and Veterans. Review starts only after the application is submitted and paid. For the amount, see the City's Business Operating Permit Fees page or contact OCM.
How long is the consumption lounge application valid?
180 days, with no extensions. If the 180 days are used up, you may apply again by submitting a complete application and paying a fee.
How big can a consumption lounge be?
No larger than 1,500 square feet or 50% of the storefront site's total floor area, whichever is smaller. The lounge must also be separated from the dispensary by solid walls and doors, which may include glass.
When does the final walk-through happen?
OCM contacts you to schedule it as part of secondary review. It is not scheduled until the location has been issued a Certificate of Occupancy, and walk-throughs take place only on Thursdays.
Can I fill out this checklist online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the City of Sacramento and does not submit anything; you send the application package to the City through its own channels.
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