Is It Legal to Grow Cannabis at Home in California? (2026 Rules)

Jurisdiction: California  |  Last verified: September 4, 2026  |  Program: Adult personal cultivation

Quick answer: Yes. A California adult age 21 or older may grow up to six living cannabis plants at one private residence. Six is the total residence limit, not a per-person allowance. The plants and cannabis produced above 28.5 grams must be kept in a locked space and hidden from normal unaided public view.

California home-grow rules in plain language

• Minimum age: 21.
• Plant limit: six living plants per private residence at one time.
• Location: inside the private residence or on its grounds, subject to local ordinances.
• Security: plants and cannabis produced above 28.5 grams must be kept in a locked space.
• Public view: the grow cannot be visible by normal unaided vision from a public place.
• Local authority: a city or county may regulate the grow and may prohibit outdoor cultivation.
• Indoor protection: local government may not completely prohibit a compliant indoor grow in a private residence or fully enclosed, secure accessory structure.
• Extraction safety: adult-use rules do not authorize volatile-solvent processing with substances such as butane or propane.

The six-plant limit is per residence

California’s adult-use limit covers all living plants being planted, cultivated, harvested, dried or processed within a single private residence or on its grounds. Two adults sharing a home do not receive 12 plants. Count the entire property before adding a seedling or clone.

Indoor and outdoor grows are treated differently

A city or county may adopt reasonable home-cultivation rules, including permits, indoor-only requirements and a ban on outdoor cultivation. However, it cannot completely prohibit an adult from cultivating six plants inside a private residence or inside a fully enclosed, secure accessory structure on the property.

Check both the city and county websites because address-level rules can be stricter than the state baseline. Renters should also review the lease and property-owner rules before modifying the home.

Before you start

1. Search the local code. Look for cannabis cultivation, zoning, permit and indoor-grow rules.
2. Count the residence. Keep the total at six living plants or fewer.
3. Install security. Use a locked space that prevents unauthorized access.
4. Check public sight lines. The plants cannot be visible from a public place with normal unaided vision.
5. Avoid volatile solvents. Do not use butane, propane or similar hazardous processing methods at home.

Official California sources

• California Department of Cannabis Control: What’s legal
• California Health and Safety Code § 11362.2

Ready to learn the cultivation side?

After confirming the local rules and securing the grow space, use the HWGrow complete beginner guide for a practical seed-to-harvest workflow.

Compare California with the HWGrow U.S. cannabis home-grow law guide.

California home-grow FAQ

How many cannabis plants may a California household grow?

An adult age 21 or older may cultivate up to six living plants at one private residence. The limit does not multiply with additional adults.

Can a California city prohibit outdoor cannabis cultivation?

Yes. A city or county may prohibit outdoor cultivation, but it may not completely prohibit a compliant indoor grow at a private residence or fully enclosed, secure accessory structure.

Do California home-grown plants have to be locked and hidden?

Yes. The plants and cannabis produced above 28.5 grams must be in a locked space and not visible by normal unaided vision from a public place.