Location and Facilities
What do I need to know about choosing a location and building a dispensary that passes inspection?
This section covers the physical space requirements that determine whether your dispensary can be approved, inspected, and opened.
Many operators assume that once they receive a license, their location will be approved automatically. In New York, that is not how it works.
Before issuing a final license, OCM reviews your zoning, buildout, storage, security, and facility setup against state and local rules. This is where many first-time operators encounter delays or denials.
What This Section Covers
This section explains the rules that apply to:
- Where your dispensary can legally be located
- How the space must be built and permitted
- How cannabis inventory must be stored and secured
- What security systems must be installed and operational before opening
Jump To
- Zoning & Local Proximity Compliance
- Building Code, Fire Safety, Egress & Occupancy
- Inventory Storage Room Setup & Secure Access
- Security Systems & Monitoring Requirements
Zoning & Local Proximity Compliance
Rules that determine where a dispensary can legally operate, including zoning districts, municipal opt-outs, and required buffers from schools, houses of worship, and other dispensaries.
This page answers:
- Is my location legal under New York zoning and proximity rules?
- Can OCM deny my license based on where the site is located?
Building Code, Fire Safety, Egress & Occupancy
Requirements under local building and fire codes that affect construction, inspections, and whether your store can legally open.
This page answers:
- What does DOB or the local building department need to approve before I build?
- What safety elements does OCM inspect before issuing a final license?
Inventory Storage Room Setup & Secure Access
Structural and operational requirements for secure cannabis storage, including:
- Walls, ceilings, and doors
- Locks and access control
- Camera coverage and lighting
- Restricted access rules
This page answers:
- How do I build a compliant storage room or vault?
- What storage issues cause immediate inspection failures?
Security Systems & Monitoring Requirements
Monitoring and control requirements that must be in place before opening and maintained during daily operations, including:
- Camera placement and retention
- Alarm systems and monitoring
- Backup power requirements
- Access logs and internal controls
This page answers:
- What security systems must be installed before OCM will let me open?
- What security failures inspectors look for first?
Why This Matters
If you choose the wrong address, build the space incorrectly, or install noncompliant security infrastructure, you can lose the ability to open — even after receiving a license.
This section helps you avoid:
- Denials for locations that violate zoning or buffer rules
- Delays caused by missing DOB or FDNY permits
- Failed inspections due to camera blind spots or alarm issues
- Storage rooms that do not meet structural or monitoring standards
- Buildouts that do not match OCM-approved floor plans
- Shutdowns or violations related to exits, access control, or fire safety
Understanding these requirements early prevents expensive mistakes and keeps your project on track.
Related Pages
Source Material
