Operating a Marijuana Business in Bend

Businesses interested in operating medical and/or recreational marijuana establishments are required to follow our permitting and licensing process. This process involves two steps: first, applying for and obtaining a Marijuana Land Use Permit; second, applying for and securing a Marijuana Business Operating License.

Obtain a Land Use Permit

To apply for and obtain your Marijuana Land Use Permit, complete the following steps:

• Land Use Compatibility Statement forms are found on the Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission (OLCC) website here.
• Fill out the form completely.
• Upload the completed Land Use Compatibility Statement as part of a Planning application in the in the City of Bend’s Online Permit Center Portal.
  • Under the Planning & Historic service item, click Apply, under choose the project type, select “Miscellaneous.”
  • In the Planning Types step, select “Land Use Compatibility Statement.”
  • Complete the rest of the form and submit the application.
• When your Land Use Compatibility Statement application is approved by our Planning team, submit this to the Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission for your license if you are opening a recreational marijuana business, or the Oregon Health Authority for your registration if you are opening a medical marijuana business.

2Step: Determine which Land Use Application(s) are needed to submit to the City of Bend

• Our Planning Division is here to help guide you in determining which land use application(s) you will need to file. Contact them directly for assistance: planning@bendoregon.gov or 541-388-5580 ext. 3.
• NOTE: at any time, feel free to review the land use regulations in the Bend Development Code. 

• Complete the Marijuana Business Land Use Application Checklist.
• Complete a narrative demonstrating how your proposal complies with the Bend Development Code.
  • Sample narrative templates:
    • A new recreational marijuana retailer (to be licensed by Oregon Liquor Control Commission)
    • A new medical marijuana dispensary (to be licensed by Oregon Health Authority)
    • A medical dispensary converting to recreational retail (to be licensed by Oregon Liquor Control Commission)
    • A non-retail marijuana business (production, processing, extraction, wholesale or testing laboratory) (to be licensed by either the Oregon Liquor Control Commission or the Oregon Health Authority)
• Production, extraction, processing, and laboratories must submit a completed and approved water and sewer analysis with our Private Development Engineering Department.
  • To complete a water and sewer analysis you will apply for the analysis in the Online Permit Center Portal.

• • For questions concerning the Water and Sewer Analysis application please contact engineering@bendoregon.gov or 541-388-5580 ext. 4.

4Step: Submit your Land Use Permit application(s)

• In the Online Permit Center Portal, complete the appropriate Land Use application.
  • Be sure to have all previously completed forms from Step 1 and Step 3 ready to upload to your application

Marijuana Business Operating License

To apply for and obtain your Marijuana Business Operating License, complete the following steps:

Initial Application

1Step: Obtain a valid City of Bend Business Registration

• To operate a marijuana business, you first need to apply for a Business Registration. Visit the Business Registration page for more information.

2Step: Confirm the business building location meets all City of Bend requirements

• Be sure your marijuana business building location complies with all City of Bend building and fire code standards. For example:
  • Except for producing (grow) operations, all aspects of a recreational or medical marijuana business must be located inside a permanent building. Outdoor storage of marijuana and marijuana products for commercial sale is not allowed, except for production (grow) facilities as allowed by State regulation in the City’s industrial zones.
  • Bend City Code section 7.50 outlines all the standards.
• Marijuana business owners need to reach out to the us to ensure they are in full compliance related to building and fire codes.
  • Building Safety Division: building@bendoregon.gov 541-388-5580 ext. 2
  • Fire Department: Cindy Kettering ckettering@bendoregon.gov 541-322-6300

• Complete a Site Plan of the business location.
  • Example
• Complete a Floor Plan of the businesses building. 
• Obtain a current Certificate of Occupancy for the businesses building.
  • If you do not currently have a Certificate of Occupancy for your building, please contact the Building Division: building@bendoregon.gov or 541-388-5580 Ext. 2, for information on how to obtain yours.
• Obtain State License or Registration from the Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission or Oregon Health Authority.
  • If you do not already have a State License or Registration (OLCC/OHA) for your business, you can submit it later in the application process while we review the rest of your application materials. However, please note that your local license will not be issued until you submit your state license or registration.
• Complete the Property Owner Authorization Form
• Complete the Marijuana Acknowledgement Form
• Complete the Business Owner(s) Contact Information Form

4Step: Submit your Marijuana Business Operating License Application

• In the Online Permit Center Portal, under choose the licensing type, select “Specialty Licenses and Program.”
• On the Classification Step, select the “Marijuana Business” type appropriate for your business.
• Complete the rest of the form and submit the application.
  • Be sure to have all previously completed forms from Step 3 above ready to upload to your application.

Renewal Application

• For application renewals that include no changes:
  • For recreational marijuana businesses: have ready a current and valid state registration from the Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission.
  • For medical marijuana businesses: have a current and valid state registration from the Oregon Health Authority.
  • Complete the Marijuana Acknowledgement Form.
• For application renewals that include major changes:
  • For recreational marijuana businesses: have ready a current and valid state registration from the Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission.
  • For medical marijuana businesses: have a current and valid state registration from the Oregon Health Authority.
  •  Complete the Marijuana Acknowledgement Form.
  • Complete a Site Plan of the business location.
  • Complete a Floor Plan of the businesses building.
  • Obtain a current Certificate of Occupancy for the businesses building.
  • Complete the Property Owner Authorization Form.
  • Complete the Business Owner(s) Contact Information Form.

2Step: Submit your Marijuana Business Operating License Renewal Application

• Follow the step-by-step instructions for renewal here to submit your Marijuana Business Operating License Renewal Application.
  • Be sure to have all previously completed forms from Step 3 above ready to upload to your application.