What layout, safety, and accessibility rules does my dispensary have to meet before I build?
Your dispensary layout must meet OCM requirements, ADA accessibility standards, and all local building and fire codes.
If your floor plan violates any of these, you will fail inspections, delay opening, or lose approval for your premises.
Required Floor Plan Elements
OCM expects your layout to clearly show:
- Sales floor and customer areas
- Queueing or waiting areas
- Entrance, exits, and emergency exits
- Security room and camera placements
- Storage, vault, and back-of-house areas
- Employee-only zones
- Product display and point-of-sale stations
- Safe transportation of cannabis products within the premises
Your diagram must be scaled, labeled, and matched to what DOB/FDNY will approve.
ADA Accessibility Requirements (Federal Law)
All dispensaries must be accessible to people with disabilities.
Operators must meet:
- Accessible entrance (no steps unless a compliant ramp or lift is provided)
- Doorways at least 32 inches wide
- Clear floor paths for mobility devices
- Accessible sales counter (no higher than 36")
- Accessible restroom if one is provided to customers
- No layout elements that block wheelchair passage
- Signage following ADA requirements (braille, tactile signs for restrooms and exits)
ADA is federal law. There are no cannabis exceptions.
Violations can trigger lawsuits, fines, and forced redesigns.
Emergency Exit & Safety Layout Requirements
DOB and FDNY require:
- Minimum egress widths
- Correct number and placement of emergency exits
- Unobstructed exit paths at all times
- Emergency lighting and exit signage
- Sprinkler and fire alarm placements according to code
- Fire extinguisher locations
- Compliance with NYC Building Code or the local jurisdiction’s code
FDNY and DOB inspections will confirm your plan matches approved drawings.
Security & Controlled Areas (OCM + Local Code)
Your floor plan must show:
- Camera coverage for all required areas
- Vault or secured storage room
- Limited access to storage and back-of-house
- No blind spots in customer areas
- Controlled access to employee zones
- Secure product movement from delivery → storage → sales
This must align with your Security & Storage Plan and the physical buildout.
Circulation & Customer Flow
OCM expects a layout that supports:
- Safe, orderly movement of customers
- No blocked sightlines for staff
- Controlled entry / check-in process
- Clear separation between customer and non-customer areas
Poor circulation, bottlenecks, or unclear flow can lead to local code or safety violations.
Layout Consistency With Approved Plans
Before you build:
- Your architect must submit plans to DOB/FDNY (in NYC) or the local building department
- The final layout must match your approved drawings
- Any changes must be resubmitted and reapproved
A mismatch between approved plans and the final buildout can result in inspection failures or delays to your final license.
References
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