MENDOCINO COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE
NEWS RELEASE
Ukiah, California… June 21, 2016
Board of Supervisors Enter Into a Settlement Agreement Regarding the 9.31 Marijuana Cultivation Urgency Ordinance
On May 17, 2016, Board of Supervisors meetings, the Board adopted urgency ordinance No. 4356, amending Chapter 9.31 of Title 9 of the Mendocino County Code. The urgency ordinance was declared necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, due to the impacts of state regulations resulting in additional marijuana growers locating in Mendocino County. The purpose of the urgency ordinance is to create local regulation of medical marijuana that establishes a permit program within Chapter 9.31 to balance the needs of medical patients and their caregivers with the needs of the community to be protected from public safety and nuisance issues.
On June 8, 2016, the Mendocino County Blacktail Deer Association filed a lawsuit based on the adoption of Ordinance No. 4356, alleging violations of CEQA and improper adoption on an urgency basis. On June 21, 2016, the Board of Supervisors approved a settlement agreement with the petitioner, Mendocino County Blacktail Deer Association. As a result, the County will stop accepting permit applications as of June 22, 2016, at 5:00pm. No new applications will be accepted following the deadline. Applications already submitted or received by the close of business on June 22nd will continue to be processed according to the urgency ordinance. The ordinance will continue to be enforced by the County until a permanent ordinance is established.
For more information regarding the urgency ordinance, please contact County Counsel’s Office at (707) 234-6885.