Designing a Rhode Island Dispensary: Everything You Need to Know

With Rhode Island set to issue up to 24 dispensary licenses in 2025, competition for these limited licenses will be fierce. Since licenses will be awarded through a randomized selection process among qualified applicants, ensuring your dispensary meets all facility design, zoning, and compliance requirements is crucial for being deemed complete and eligible for the lottery.

The application period runs September 12, 2025 – December 29, 2025 (4:00 PM deadline).

At Studio Bliss, we specialize in cannabis facility design, having helped numerous dispensaries across the country navigate licensing and regulatory challenges. Here’s everything you need to know about designing a Rhode Island dispensary that meets state requirements and stands out in the application process.

Rhode Island Dispensary Facility Design Requirements

1. Site Location & Compliance

• Your dispensary must comply with municipal zoning laws and secure local approval.

• The proposed location cannot be within 500 feet of a pre-existing school (K-12) unless a municipality reduces the distance requirement by ordinance.

• The facility must be at a physical address approved by the Cannabis Control Commission.

2. Required Floor Plans & Site Plans

Applicants must submit:

• Detailed Rhode Island dispensary floor plans showing:

  • Where cannabis will be received, stored, and dispensed

  • All limited-access and customer-access areas

  • Placement of walls, partitions, entrances, and exits

  • Security alarms, cameras, and surveillance recording equipment

  • ADA-compliant parking and facility access

  • Facility layout relative to streets and public areas

• Survey and Distance Maps:

  • Proof that the dispensary is not within 500 feet of a restricted location

  • A map illustrating the property boundary and distance from nearby schools

• Visibility Controls:

  • Cannabis must not be visible from streets or public areas.

  • Applicants may propose design measures (e.g., blackout window coverings) to meet this requirement

3. Security & Surveillance Requirements

Applicants must submit a Security and Safety Plan that includes:

• A description of security equipment, hardware, and software to meet Commission standards

• Cash handling and/or electronic payment processing procedures

• Security system maintenance and operating practices

• A plan to open a secured deposit banking account before licensed operations begin

• All entrances must be secured, allowing access only to employees, authorized personnel, or law enforcement.

• 24/7 surveillance systems must be in place to monitor storage and dispensing areas.

• Inventory must be stored securely during and after business hours to prevent theft.

• No cannabis products should be visible from public streets.

All entrances must be secured, allowing access only to employees, authorized personnel, or law enforcement. 24/7 surveillance must monitor all cannabis storage and dispensing areas, and inventory must be securely stored outside of business hours.

4. Certificate of Occupancy & Compliance Documents

Before receiving a cannabis retail license in Rhode Island, applicants must:

• Obtain a certificate of occupancy showing compliance with Rhode Island Fire Safety and Building Codes.

• Provide proof of property ownership or a lease agreement allowing cannabis operations on-site

How Studio Bliss Can Design your Rhode Island Cannabis Dispensary

At Studio Bliss, we provide comprehensive facility design services to ensure your dispensary meets Rhode Island’s strict licensing standards. Our services include: 

• Custom dispensary floor plans and interior designs that optimize flow, compliance, and security. 
• Zoning and municipal approval support to help you navigate local regulations. 
• Distance maps and compliance documentation to ensure your application meets all Rhode Island Cannabis Act requirements. 
• 3D renderings and architectural plans to present a high-quality, professional submission that improves your score.

FAQ: Rhode Island Dispensary Designs

What are the floor plan requirements for a dispensary in Rhode Island?

Applicants must submit scaled floor plans (8.5”x11”–11”x17”) showing where cannabis will be received, stored, and dispensed, along with customer access areas, restricted access areas, entrances/exits, and placement of security systems, alarms, and surveillance equipment.

How far does a dispensary need to be from schools in Rhode Island?

State law requires dispensaries to be at least 500 feet from K-12 schools, unless the municipality allows a reduction.

What documents are required for the dispensary application?

Applications must include zoning compliance confirmation, a business plan with financial details, a security and safety plan, scaled floor plans, distance maps, and proof of ownership or a signed lease agreement.

What are the dispensary facility design requirements in Rhode Island?

Facilities must ensure cannabis is not visible from public streets or areas. Applicants may use objective measures such as window coverings or placement of rooms to meet this requirement.

What is a Rhode Island dispensary distance map?

A dispensary distance map demonstrates the property boundary, the 500-foot buffer zone, and nearby schools or restricted areas, ensuring the proposed location complies with Rhode Island law.

Get Started Today

If you’re planning to apply for a Rhode Island dispensary license, now is the time to start working on your cannabis dispensary design and compliance strategy. Studio Bliss has helped numerous dispensaries secure top scores in licensing applications—and we’re ready to do the same for you.

👉 Schedule a Free Consultation Today to discuss your project and take the first step toward opening your dispensary in Rhode Island.