Attachment A
Proposed Ordinance
Ordinance No. ____
ORDINANCE NO. ____
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 5.55.500 OF THE
PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING
CANNABIS CONSUMPTION LOUNGES.
City Attorney’s Summary
This ordinance amends the City of Palm Springs’ existing cannabis lounge business ordinance updating authorization requirements for operating cannabis consumption lounges.
WHEREAS, the City of Palm Springs is a charter city organized pursuant to Article XI of the California Constitution and pursuant to the authority granted the City by Section 5 of Article XI, the City has the power to make and enforce within its limits all ordinances and regulations in respect to municipal affairs not in conflict with general laws and its own charter. Such police powers include without limitation the ability to adopt comprehensive zoning regulations and regulations upon the use of land and property within the City; and
WHEREAS, the consumer landscape of cannabis is constantly evolving and innovating in the wake of a legalized market; and
WHEREAS, many states and municipalities are now recognizing the onsite consumption of cannabis as a profitable and sensible addition to the regulated cannabis market; and
WHEREAS, the City has established clear rules for the regulation of onsite cannabis consumption, and this has stimulated the growth of various cannabis businesses; and
WHEREAS, existing law authorizes a cannabis business in Palm Springs to operate a dispensary and to obtain a permit in order for cannabis to be consumed on the premises of the dispensary; and
WHEREAS, existing law authorizes a cannabis business in Palm Springs to operate a dispensary and to obtain a permit in order for cannabis to be consumed on the premises of the dispensary and in conjunction host ticketed and non-ticketed events; and
WHEREAS existing law authorizes a temporary special event with a land use permit initiated by the owner(s), or their authorized agents of property within the city, where the use is subject to a land use permit.
Ordinance No. ____
WHEREAS, the City Council has carefully reviewed and considered all of the evidence presented in connection with the proposed ordinance, including, but not limited to, the staff report, and all written and oral testimony presented.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference as material findings in support of this Ordinance.
SECTION 2. Chapter 5.55.500 (Authorization Required to Operate Cannabis Consumption Lounge) of the Palm Springs Municipal Code is hereby amended by deleting Subsection (C) in its entirety. Subsection (D) is hereby amended to change to the title Subsection (C).
5.55.500 Authorization Required to Operate Cannabis Consumption Lounge
A. No person shall operate a cannabis consumption lounge without first having received from the City a valid cannabis dispensary permit with a condition that expressly authorizes the operation of a lounge in accordance with this article.
B. A cannabis dispensary permit may be authorized to allow the operation of a cannabis consumption lounge with one or more of the following conditions:
(a) Preparation and sale of non-cannabis infused food.
(b) Delivery and service of non-cannabis infused food.
(c) Host non-ticketed events and host up to twenty-four (24) ticketed events per year, subject to the provisions of this chapter.
C. Cannabis lounges may host outdoor special events by submitting written verification of the steps that it will take to comply with applicable rules governing the event, completing an application through the Department of Special Programs and shall comply with all applicable conditions of approval, public safety requirements, and nuisance mitigation standards established by the City to operate said events.
Cannabis lounges located directly adjacent to a site that sells primarily alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or tobacco products on the site may not operate outdoor events with a land use permit.
Ordinance No. ____
D. C. Cannabis Lounges may apply to operate an onsite kitchen facility.
Operators must comply with both State and Riverside County regulations.
Additionally, all proposed kitchen facilities must be inspected by the City to determine that the facility is safe to occupy and suitable for the intended use.
SECTION 3. The City Council finds that the adoption of this Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is the adoption of an ordinance, rule, or regulation that requires discretionary review, including environmental review, and approval of permits, licenses, or other authorizations to engage in commercial cannabis activity (California Business and Professions Code section 26055(h)) and because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment (CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3)).
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED BY THE PALM SPRINGS CITY
COUNCIL THIS _____ DAY OF ______________, 2026.
NAOMI SOTO, MAYOR
ATTEST:
BRENDA PREE, MMC, CERA
CITY CLERK
Ordinance No. ____
Ordinance No. ____
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, BRENDA PREE, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby certify that Ordinance No. ____ is a full, true, and correct copy, and was introduced at a regular meeting of the Palm Springs City Council on _________ and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held on __________ by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Palm Springs, California, this ______ day of ______________, _________.
BRENDA PREE, MMC, CERA
CITY CLERK