CHIPS18 LLC
Summary
SCH Number
2025081280
Public Agency
California Department of Cannabis Control
(DCC)
Document Title
CHIPS18 LLC
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
8/28/2025
Document Description
The Department of Cannabis Control, pursuant to authority granted under Business and Professions Code, Division 10, Chapter 2, Section 26012, approved six Medium Outdoor commercial cannabis licenses. The project is an existing cannabis cultivation site located at 3700 Hwy 135, Los Alamos, CA, 93440 (APN 099-030-058). Outdoor cannabis cultivation and associated activities occur on approximately 60 acres of the 89.19 parcel. The applicant proposes to add 6 Medium Outdoor licenses to areas that were previously occupied with several Small Outdoor licenses. Water for cultivation purposes is provided by an existing on-site irrigation well and stored within ten (12) 5,000-gallon water tanks. Cannabis and landscape screening are irrigated using a timed drip system. Cannabis is grown within hoophouse structures, and no lighting is to be located inside the hoop structures. The project includes outdoor cultivation of cannabis and the use of eight {8) agricultural accessory structures for drying and processing of the crop. The land-use permit issued by the county of Santa Barbara also includes validation of five (5) open storage structures as follows: one (1) 640 square-foot open storage structure, one (1) 2,200 open storage structure; one(l) 1,800 square-foot open storage structure; one (1) 4,200 square-foot open storage structure, and one (1) 2,000 square-foot open storage structure. The commercial cannabis operation requires approximately 2-4 fulltime employees onsite during all seasons. Cannabis plant waste generated at the project site is both composted onsite and hauled to a landfill. The project site is zoned AGII-100, which allows for commercial cannabis cultivation.
Contact Information
Name
Michael Keys
Agency Name
California Department of Cannabis Control
Job Title
Environmental Scientist
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Los Alamos
Counties
Santa Barbara
Regions
Statewide
Zip
93440
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Statutory Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CCR, Sec. 15183
Reasons for Exemption
The Department of Cannabis Control has determined that the project is consistent with the local jurisdiction community plan and/or zoning designations. On February 6, 2018, Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors certified an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and approved the Cannabis Land Use Ordinance and Licensing Program. CEQA mandates that the project is consistent with the development density established by existing zoning, community plan, or general plan policies for which an EIR was certified and shall not require additional environmental review, except as might be necessary to examine whether there are project-specific significant effects which are peculiar to the project or its site.
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1 Categorical Exemption Cal. Code Regs,. Title 14, §15301
Reasons for Exemption
The Department of Cannabis Control has determined that the project is a Class 1 Categorical Exemption Project.
Class 1 Categorical Exemptions consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alterations to existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination. The Project involves the use of an existing building with no proposal for expansion. The design, location, size, and operating characteristics of the Project are compatible with the existing and future land uses within the vicinity as it is zoned for light industrial.
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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