Humboldt County Planning and Building staff asked the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 28 to revoke a conditional use permit for roughly 47,700 square feet of cannabis cultivation at a Willow Creek site after a series of compliance problems.

Joshua Doris, a planning staff member, summarized the case: inspectors found that required post-approval items were not completed within prescribed timelines, a compliance agreement had not been executed, a water budget was not provided, the site lacked the county-required water storage (staff counted roughly 105,000 gallons on site against a 147,000-gallon condition) and county invoices were unpaid. After a suspension notice earlier in the year the county found cannabis being cultivated while the county permit remained suspended; staff therefore recommended revocation "pursuant to the Humboldt County Code," Doris said.

Operator Ovesi Machado told the board he acquired the site in 2021, spent tens of thousands of dollars on remedial work and had paid state licensing fees but had struggled to pay county invoices. "I am ready to pay that within a few days," Machado said, and he told the board he would work to comply with the site'specific conditions, including increasing water storage.

Board members pressed staff on remediation and tax status and asked about remediation of the site if cultivation ceases. Staff said the county prefers to work with operators to clean sites and remove infrastructure; if that cannot be done the county would pursue code enforcement. After public comment and testimony the board passed a motion giving the operator a time-limited opportunity to come into compliance. Under that action the operator was required to contact the Planning & Building Department, make arrangements to satisfy past-due planning fees and show a clear path to remedying outstanding conditions by Dec. 31, 2025; if he failed to satisfy the board'set performance milestones the county retained authority to revoke the permit.