The Cannabis Production Facilities Zoning Bylaw Amendment came into force and effect on Nov. 18, 2020. This webpage contains information related to Cannabis Production Facilities and the Planning process undertaken by the Town to implement zoning standards for these facilities. For information related to cannabis consumption and cannabis retail stores in Georgina, visit Cannabis in Georgina.
What is required to grow cannabis in Georgina
Growing cannabis in Georgina is subject to the following requirements:
- Obtaining and possessing a valid approval issued by Health Canada to grow cannabis;
- Compliance with the requirements of Zoning by-law No. 500, as amended; and,
- Obtaining site plan control approval from the Town.
Any resident of legal age (i.e. 19 years old and older) may grow up to four cannabis plants per household (not per person) for personal recreational use. Four cannabis plants grown for personal recreational use does not require federal approval and is not subject to the Town’s zoning by-law or site plan control.
Persons, who are growing cannabis for their own medical purposes, otherwise referred to as a ‘Registered Person’ in accordance with the Town’s zoning by-law, are permitted to grow cannabis in accordance with their Health Canada approval and are not required to obtain site plan control approval.
Approach to regulating cannabis production facilities
The Town of Georgina amended Zoning By-law 500 to implement specific zoning requirements for Cannabis Production Facilities. The purpose of the Zoning By-law Amendment is to regulate the permitted location and zoning standards for Designated and Licensed Cannabis Production Facilities, as are defined within the By-law. The By-law:
- Define types of Cannabis Production Facilities and other relevant terms;;
- Permits Cannabis Production Facilities within the Rural (RU), Restricted Industrial (M1), General Industrial (M2), and Business Park 3 (BP-3) Zones; and,
- Implements specific zoning requirements, such as setbacks from sensitive land uses, for Cannabis Production Facilities based on type of Cannabis Production Facility and the zone in which they are located.
- Delete the existing definition of 'Marihuana Production Facility' and related requirements currently contained in Zoning By-law 500.
All Cannabis Production Facilities are required to obtain site plan control approval prior to receiving a building permit for the construction/establishment of a new facility or an addition to an existing facility. A pre-consultation meeting with Town staff is required prior to submitting a site plan control application.
Zoning By-law Amendment
The Cannabis Production Facilities Zoning By-law Amendment came into force and effect on Nov. 18, 2020. For ease of reference, a summary table has been prepared which outlines the requirements for Cannabis Production Facilities in each zone. For a comprehensive list of all general provisions, refer to Section 5 of Zoning By-law No. 500, as amended.
Who regulates cannabis production facilities?
Health Canada is the government agency responsible for regulating and licensing cannabis production within Canada in accordance with the Cannabis Act and Regulations.
Municipalities may regulate the location and site requirements for Cannabis Production Facilities through the use of their zoning by-law. In the Town of Georgina, Zoning Bylaw 500, as amended, is the Town's comprehensive zoning by-law which applies to all development within the Town.
Cannabis Production Facilities are also required to comply with applicable Provincial Acts and Regulations such as the Ontario Building Code and the Ontario Fire Code.
The Cannabis Act and regulations
The Cannabis Act and Regulations came into force on Oct. 17, 2018. The act and its regulations provide a legal and licensing framework for the production, cultivation, processing, testing, packaging, labelling, delivery, transportation, sale, possession or disposal, importation and exportation of medical and recreational cannabis.
Staff reports, presentations and Council resolutions
The information below has been organized in chronological order with the most recent information provided at the top of this section.
Nov. 18, 2020
A staff report was presented to Council which outlined comments received from the Georgina Agricultural Advisory Committee in relation to the Council-approved Cannabis Production Facilities Zoning Bylaw Amendment. Upon consideration, Council supported the recommendations of the report and passed the Cannabis Production Facilities Zoning Bylaw Amendment.
Council Resolution No. C-2020-0365
Cannabis Production Facilities Bylaw Amendment
Aug. 19, 2020
A Statutory Public Meeting was held to consider a proposed Zoning By-law Amendment for Cannabis Production Facilities. After considering the report, presentation and comments from the public, Council approved the zoning by-law amendment but did not pass the by-law. The passing of the by-law is subject to a revision regarding setback requirements for outdoor cultivation and receiving comment on the by-law from the Georgina Agricultural Advisory Committee.
Council Resolution No. C-2020-0258
Dec. 11, 2019
A Draft Zoning Bylaw Amendment for Cannabis Production Facilities was presented to Council in order to receive feedback and direction on proceeding with a Town initiated Zoning Bylaw Amendment. After considering the report and presentation, Council directed staff to initiate a general Zoning Bylaw Amendment as it relates to Cannabis Production Facilities.
Council Resolution No. C-2019-0733
Nov. 20, 2019
A bylaw was passed to extend the period of interim control relating to the prohibition on cultivating cannabis in the Rural (RU) Zone and on any lands having a site-specific RU zoning. As a result, the Interim Control Bylaw now expires on Jan. 16, 2021.
Sept. 18, 2019
A Cannabis Production Facilities Land Use Planning Study was presented to Council. The purpose of this report was to provide Council with background information, research and a policy review as it relates to cannabis legislation and Cannabis Production Facilities from a land use planning perspective, and to recommend a preferred planning approach to regulate Cannabis Production Facilities within the Town through the use of zoning and site plan control. After considering the report and presentation, Council directed staff to prepare a draft Zoning B-law Amendment for Cannabis Production Facilities for Council's review, and that staff report back to Council on Dec. 11, 2019, or earlier.
Council Resolution No. C-2019-0494
Jan. 16, 2019
A proposed Interim Control By-law to prohibit cannabis cultivation in the Rural (RU) Zone was presented to Council. The purpose of this report was to provide Council with an Interim Control Bylaw for consideration and passing which would prohibit the cultivation of cannabis in the RU Zone and on any lands having a site-specific RU zoning for a period of one (1) year, to allow the Town to conduct a land use planning study with the goal of creating and implementing zoning requirements for Cannabis Production Facilities. After considering the report and draft bylaw, Council passed the Interim Control Bylaw and directed staff to undertake a land use planning study respecting Cannabis Production Facilities.
Council Resolution No. C-2019-0020
Dec. 12, 2018
A General Cannabis Information Report was presented to Council. The purpose of this report was to provide Council with background information relating to the municipalities ability to "opt-in" or "opt-out" of having recreational cannabis retail sales from brick and mortar buildings within the Town, requirements relating to consumption of cannabis on Town properties, and land use planning/zoning considerations with respect to Cannabis Production Facilities.
Staff contact/project mailing list
To speak with someone at the Town regarding this matter, contact:
Tolek Makarewicz, MCIP, RPP
Senior Policy Planner
Development Services Department
tmakarewicz@georgina.ca