Last verified: March 2026
The Basic Rules: 6 Plants Per Residence
Under Health & Safety Code §11362.2, adults 21 and older may cultivate up to 6 living cannabis plants per residence — not per person. Whether one adult or four share a household, the limit is 6 plants total. Plants must be grown in a locked space that is not visible from a public place, whether indoors or outdoors.
A critical protection: cities and counties cannot ban indoor personal cultivation. Under Prop 64, local jurisdictions may impose "reasonable regulations" on indoor grows (lighting, ventilation, security) but cannot prohibit them outright. Outdoor cultivation is a different story — local governments may ban or restrict outdoor grows entirely, and many do.
Medical Patients May Grow More
Medical cannabis patients with a physician's recommendation may cultivate 6 mature or 12 immature plants as a baseline. With specific doctor authorization based on medical need, patients may grow additional plants beyond these limits. Local jurisdictions may impose their own caps on medical cultivation.
What You Cannot Do
- Sell homegrown cannabis: All sales require a DCC commercial license. Personal cultivation is for personal use only.
- Grow in an unlocked area: The cultivation space must be secured with a lock. Indoor closets, tents, and dedicated rooms with locks all qualify.
- Grow where visible from public: Plants cannot be visible from any public right-of-way without the use of binoculars, aircraft, or other optical aids.
- Exceed 6 plants per residence: Even if multiple adults live in a household, the cap is 6 plants total for recreational growers.
- Grow on federal land: No cultivation is permitted on federal property, including national parks and military installations.
Landlord and Housing Rules
Landlords retain broad rights to prohibit cannabis cultivation on their property under HSC §11362.45(h). If your lease prohibits cannabis cultivation — or smoking, growing plants, or any cannabis activity — the landlord's rules take precedence over your right to grow.
Federally subsidized housing, including Section 8 and public housing, prohibits all cannabis activity per HUD policy. This applies to possession, consumption, and cultivation regardless of California state law.
California's diverse climate means outdoor growing conditions vary dramatically by region. The Emerald Triangle's cool coastal climate produces different results than the Inland Empire's desert heat. For cultivation guidance, see cannabis.ca.gov.
Local Regulations Vary
While cities cannot ban indoor grows, many impose additional requirements. Common local regulations include:
- Setback requirements: Plants must be a certain distance from property lines or neighboring residences
- Odor control: Carbon filters or ventilation requirements for indoor grows
- Grow area size limits: Some cities cap the square footage of cultivation space
- Registration: A few jurisdictions require home growers to register with local authorities
Check your city or county's municipal code for specific local requirements before starting a home grow.
For in-depth cannabis education, dosing guides, safety information, and research summaries, visit our partner site TryCannabis.org