Before Online Application

Prior to submitting your cannabis business license application online, please ensure you have all required supplemental documentation ready for upload. The following documents must be submitted through the online application portal after completing the application form:

• Obtain Fire Clearance Letter (Santa Barbara County Fire Department)
• Obtain Zoning Conformity Determination Letter (from the City of Goleta’s Planning and Environmental Review (PER) Department. Please contact PER at (805) 961-7543 or planningcounter@cityofgoleta.gov)
• Indoor cultivation ONLY
  •  Provide proof of consultation with Southern California Edison (SCE) prior to application submittal including a copy of a completed and submitted SCE Customer/Project Information Sheet.
  • Proof of participation in energy use assessments
  • Proof of registration with the Department of Pesticide Regulation if using any pesticides. If not using pesticides, a statement confirming no use of pesticides must be provided.
• Manufacturing ONLY
  •  Proof of certification from an engineer licensed by the State of California, or by a certified industrial hygienist, must be provided to the City for a professional grade closed loop system used by any commercial cannabis manufacturing manufacture to certify that the system was commercially manufactured, is safe for its intended use, and was built to codes of recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices, including but not limited to: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME);
  • American National Standards Institute (ANSI);
  • Underwriters Laboratories (UL); or
  • The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
  • Certification document must contain the signature and stamp of the professional engineer or industrial hygienist and serial number of the extraction unit being certified.
  • Attach standard operating procedures on creating cannabis extracts that includes good manufacturing practices, and a training plan.
• Distribution ONLY
  • Proof of a bond of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) to cover the costs of destruction of cannabis or cannabis products if necessitate by a violation of licensing requirements or cannabis or cannabis products rejected by testing.
• Property Owner Statement of Consent - Owner Consent Form
• Live Scan Receipts (Required for new owners, individuals with at least 20% financial interest, managers, and supervisors. The proof of Live Scan must be dated within 30 days of submission of application.)
• Copies of Live Scan and Government-Issued Identification (Required for all owners, individuals with at least 20% financial interest, managers, and supervisors)
• Current Ownership List (Include ownership percentages for each individual)
• Current Employee List (Include each employee’s full name and hire date)
• Proof of Insurance (As required by Goleta Municipal Code Chapter 5.09)
• Current Floor Plan
• Security Camera Diagram
• Security Alarm Service Contract
• Business entity documents, including but not limited to:
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Articles of Organization
  • Certificate of Limited Partnership
  • Statement of Partnership Authority
    □ Site Plan and Floor Plan
    □ Business Plan
    □ Green Business Plan
    □ Odor Abatement Plan
    □ Safety Plan
    □ Security Plan

Questions About the Application Process?

If you have specific questions regarding the cannabis business license application process, we encourage you to submit them in writing. This ensures that staff can provide you with accurate and well-documented responses. Requests for written advice can be emailed to crubio@cityofgoleta.gov

Cannabis Tax Remittance form can be found here.

Cannabis Business Municipal Code can be found here. 

Cannabis Land Use Regulations Table can be found here. 

Cannabis Zoning Uses can be found here. 

Cannabis APCD Permitting can be found here. 

Check if address falls within the geographic boundaries of the City of Goleta Here

How to apply: 

Step one: Log in to the City of Goleta Business License Portal
- If you do not have an account, please register before proceeding. (save this information as it will be needed for renewal)

Step two: Submit application and make payment online.

Step three: Once online application is submitted, stay logged in.

Upload Required Documentation

• Stay logged into the portal.
• On the upper right-hand corner, click "My Account."
• Under "Business License", locate your renewal application.
• Upload the following documents:

• Obtain Fire Clearance Letter (Santa Barbara County Fire Department)
• Obtain Zoning Conformity Determination Letter (from the City of Goleta’s Planning and Environmental Review (PER) Department. Please contact PER at (805) 961-7543 or planningcounter@cityofgoleta.gov)
• Indoor cultivation ONLY
  •  Provide proof of consultation with Southern California Edison (SCE) prior to application submittal including a copy of a completed and submitted SCE Customer/Project Information Sheet.
  • Proof of participation in energy use assessments
  • Proof of registration with the Department of Pesticide Regulation if using any pesticides. If not using pesticides, a statement confirming no use of pesticides must be provided.
• Manufacturing ONLY
  •  Proof of certification from an engineer licensed by the State of California, or by a certified industrial hygienist, must be provided to the City for a professional grade closed loop system used by any commercial cannabis manufacturing manufacture to certify that the system was commercially manufactured, is safe for its intended use, and was built to codes of recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices, including but not limited to: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME);
  • American National Standards Institute (ANSI);
  • Underwriters Laboratories (UL); or
  • The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
  • Certification document must contain the signature and stamp of the professional engineer or industrial hygienist and serial number of the extraction unit being certified.
  • Attach standard operating procedures on creating cannabis extracts that includes good manufacturing practices, and a training plan.
• Distribution ONLY
  • Proof of a bond of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) to cover the costs of destruction of cannabis or cannabis products if necessitate by a violation of licensing requirements or cannabis or cannabis products rejected by testing.
• Property Owner Statement of Consent - Owner Consent Form
• Live Scan Receipts (Required for new owners, individuals with at least 20% financial interest, managers, and supervisors. The proof of Live Scan must be dated within 30 days of submission of application.)
• Copies of Live Scan and Government-Issued Identification (Required for all owners, individuals with at least 20% financial interest, managers, and supervisors)
• Current Ownership List (Include ownership percentages for each individual)
• Current Employee List (Include each employee’s full name and hire date)
• Proof of Insurance (As required by Goleta Municipal Code Chapter 5.09)
• Current Floor Plan
• Security Camera Diagram
• Security Alarm Service Contract
• Business entity documents, including but not limited to:
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Articles of Organization
  • Certificate of Limited Partnership
  • Statement of Partnership Authority
    □ Site Plan and Floor Plan
    □ Business Plan
    □ Green Business Plan
    □ Odor Abatement Plan
    □ Safety Plan
    □ Security Plan

Final step: Application cannot be reviewed without the required documentation. Application review can take up to 4-8 business weeks, possibly longer (if and when application is paid and submitted completely).

Outside City Limit - Delivery ONLY

How to apply: 

Step one: Log in to the City of Goleta Business License Portal
- If you do not have an account, please register before proceeding. (save this information as it will be needed for renewal)

Step two: Submit application and make payment online.

Step three: Once online application is submitted, stay logged in.

Upload Required Documentation

• Stay logged into the portal.
• On the upper right-hand corner, click "My Account."
• Under "Business License", locate your renewal application.
• Upload the following documents:

• Copy of current State Issued Cannabis Permit.
• Copy of current City issued cannabis license (City operating from).
• List of all owners, officers, employees, or agents, that includes names, date of birth, and title.
• Copy of current DMV issued driver’s license or identification card or passport for each owner, officer, employee, or agent.
• Cannabis Business Tax Registration Form.
• Copy of current State’s Sellers Permit issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) or obtain certification letter from the CDTFA stating that a seller’s permit is not required.
• Proof of Insurance (As required by Goleta Municipal Code Chapter 5.09 Cannabis Insurance Guidance)
• Business entity documents, including but not limited to:
  •  Articles of Incorporation
  • Articles of Organization
  • Certificate of Limited Partnership
  • Statement of Partnership Authority
  • Site Plan and Floor Plans
  • Business Plan
  • Green Business Plan
  • Odor Abatement Plan
  • Safety Plan
  • Security Plan
• List with names and driver’s license numbers of all the business’ delivery drivers, and evidence verifying criminal background checks have been conducted for all the business’ drivers.
• Proof of ownership of the vehicle or a valid lease for any all vehicles that will be used to deliver cannabis or cannabis products
• List of any and all vehicles that will be used to deliver cannabis goods, including the year, make, model, license plate number and numerical Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
• Proof of insurance for any and all vehicles being used to deliver cannabis goods. All non-storefront retailer licensee shall provide proof of insurance in a minimum amount of $1,000,000 for bodily injury liability and property injury for any and all vehicles being used to transport cannabis goods.

Final step: Application cannot be reviewed without the required documentation. Application review can take up to 4-8 business weeks, possibly longer (if and when application is paid and submitted completely).

How to Renew: 

Step one: Log in to the City of Goleta Business License Portal
- If you do not have an account, please register before proceeding. (save this information as it will be needed for renewal)

Step two: Submit application and make payment online.

Step three: Once online application is submitted, stay logged in.

Upload Required Documentation

• Stay logged into the portal.
• On the upper right-hand corner, click "My Account."
• Under "Business License", locate your renewal application.
• Upload the following documents:

• Obtain Fire Clearance Letter (Santa Barbara County Fire Department)
• Obtain Zoning Conformity Determination Letter (from the City of Goleta’s Planning and Environmental Review (PER) Department. Please contact PER at (805) 961-7543 or planningcounter@cityofgoleta.gov)
• Indoor cultivation ONLY
  •  Provide proof of consultation with Southern California Edison (SCE) prior to application submittal including a copy of a completed and submitted SCE Customer/Project Information Sheet.
  • Proof of participation in energy use assessments
  • Proof of registration with the Department of Pesticide Regulation if using any pesticides. If not using pesticides, a statement confirming no use of pesticides must be provided.
• Manufacturing ONLY
  •  Proof of certification from an engineer licensed by the State of California, or by a certified industrial hygienist, must be provided to the City for a professional grade closed loop system used by any commercial cannabis manufacturing manufacture to certify that the system was commercially manufactured, is safe for its intended use, and was built to codes of recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices, including but not limited to: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME);
  • American National Standards Institute (ANSI);
  • Underwriters Laboratories (UL); or
  • The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
  • Certification document must contain the signature and stamp of the professional engineer or industrial hygienist and serial number of the extraction unit being certified.
  • Attach standard operating procedures on creating cannabis extracts that includes good manufacturing practices, and a training plan.
• Distribution ONLY
  • Proof of a bond of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) to cover the costs of destruction of cannabis or cannabis products if necessitate by a violation of licensing requirements or cannabis or cannabis products rejected by testing.
• Property Owner Statement of Consent - Owner Consent Form
• Live Scan Receipts (Required for new owners, individuals with at least 20% financial interest, managers, and supervisors. The proof of Live Scan must be dated within 30 days of submission of application.)
• Copies of Live Scan and Government-Issued Identification (Required for all owners, individuals with at least 20% financial interest, managers, and supervisors)
• Current Ownership List (Include ownership percentages for each individual)
• Current Employee List (Include each employee’s full name and hire date)
• Proof of Insurance (As required by Goleta Municipal Code Chapter 5.09)
• Current Floor Plan
• Security Camera Diagram
• Security Alarm Service Contract
• Business entity documents, including but not limited to:
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Articles of Organization
  • Certificate of Limited Partnership
  • Statement of Partnership Authority
    □ Site Plan and Floor Plan
    □ Business Plan
    □ Green Business Plan
    □ Odor Abatement Plan
    □ Safety Plan
    □ Security Plan

Final step: Application cannot be reviewed without the required documentation. Application review can take up to 4-8 business weeks, possibly longer (if and when application is paid and submitted completely).

Live Scans

• Print this Live Scan Form 

  The Live Scan fingerprinting must be performed at the County of Sheriff’s Office BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. County of Santa Barbara’s Sheriff’s Office will issue a receipt (required attachment with application). For fee information and to schedule an appointment, please call (805) 681-4100.

  Sheriff’s Office Headquarters
  4434 Calle Real
  Santa Barbara, CA 93110

For information on Fees: Fee Schedule page

Tax Payment Submittal Process

City of Goleta Cannabis Businesses now have the ability to make their tax remittance payments through ACH, please email financegroup@cityofgoleta.gov for more instructions. The City of Goleta does not charge additional fees for this method, but a customer's bank might, please check with your bank for fees.

All licensed cannabis businesses must submit a completed “City of Goleta – Cannabis Business Tax Remittance Form” on a quarterly basis as defined by the schedule described below under the section “Tax Payment Schedule”. Completed forms are required on all cannabis business activity, even if there are no taxes to remit. The “City of Goleta – Cannabis Business Tax Remittance Form” and guide can be found below: 

Cannabis Tax Remittance Form (2024)

Guide to Using the Cannabis Tax Remittance Form

Cannabis Tax Remittance Form (After January 2024)

If you have specific questions regarding the cannabis business tax process, we recommend that you provide us questions in writing so that city staff can respond to your inquiry. This will enable us to give you the best advice and will protect you from tax, penalties and interest in case we give you erroneous information. Requests for written advice can be emailed to financegroup@cityofgoleta.gov.

To review the City of Goleta's Cannabis Business Tax Municipal Code, click here. Refer to Title 3 Revenue and Finance, Chapter 3.08 Cannabis Business Tax.

License Fees and Tax

Fees are subject to annual update. See Fee Schedule page for more information.

Current Cannabis Business Tax Rates for Goleta

On November 6, 2018, the voters passed Measure Z2018, establishing a tax on cannabis business operations within the City of Goleta.  The passing of this ballot measure subjects cannabis businesses to taxation on gross receipts of cannabis based on classifications. The max rates are effective November 17, 2018, and will be subject to the following tax rates on gross receipts:

Tax Payment Schedule

The taxation of these activities will be done on a quarterly basis. Due to the timing of the effective date of taxation, activities related to the initial quarter (November 17, 2018 – December 2018) will be due with the 1^st Quarter (January, February, March) of the calendar year, which is due no later than thirty (30) calendar days following the last day of the preceding each calendar quarter. Below is a table outlining the tax return and remittance schedule for reference: