Local Equity Entrepreneurial Program ("LEEP") fee relief FAQs:

1) Where do I apply for LEEP fee relief?

Please note: This tab will not appear until 8:00 a.m. on May 15, 2026, at which time it will display directly beneath the current tab in the left-hand menu.

2) When is the LEEP fee relief window open?
The LEEP fee relief window will open Friday, May 15, 2026 at 8:00am, and remain open through Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 11:59pm.

3) What fees are eligible for LEEP fee relief?
Certified equity applicants may apply for the following County Department fees:

• Planning and Building Services ("PBS")
  • Please work directly with PBS prior to submission. All fees must be confirmed by PBS.
• Treasurer-Tax Collector ("TTC")
  • Please work directly with the TTC prior to submission. All fees must be confirmed by the TTC and have a signature from the TTC on the requested invoice.
• Cannabis Division 
• Department of Agriculture

4) Are fee relief requests reimbursement based?

No, all fee relief requests are paid directly to the invoicing Department. We are unable to apply funding to fees that have already been paid.

5) Does LEEP pay for late and/or penalty fees?

No, LEEP fee relief cannot be applied towards late and/or penalty fees.

6) What documents are needed for the fee relief application?

Applicants should submit one application per funding request  (i.e. 2 applications must be submitted if applying for TTC and PBS fees) and will need to provide the following information:

• Full Name
• LEEP eligibility #
• Email Address
• Phone Number
• Which invoicing Department they are applying for fee relief for
• Depending on which Department is selected, the applicant will need to note their PBS Permit number, Cannabis Cultivation Business License ("CCBL") number, TTC Business Account number, or Ag Invoice number. These numbers are listed on the applicable invoice.
• Total invoice amount

Applicants will be required to upload a copy of their invoice. (As noted above, PBS and TTC invoices must be signed from the invoicing Department in order to be accepted.)

7) What disqualifies a fee relief application?

Applications may be disqualified for any of the below reasons:

• Applicant is not a certified equity applicant
• An application is incomplete and missing any of the above information, including the sign off from PBS or the TTC (If applying for these Departments)
• Applicant has already reached the $10,000.00 limit (this total includes 2024-2025’s fee relief award amounts, please email cannabisprogram@mendocinocounty.gov to check your balance if needed)
• An application is not submitted online, during the open application window
• The expense is not a County department noted above, or is deemed not an eligible request for start up and on-going business expenses.

8) How will I know if my application has been accepted and processed by the Department?
In an effort to expedite application processing, please do not call or email to check on your LEEP Fee Relief application, the Cannabis Division will let applicants know if they have received funding via email after the application period ends.

Please note, the total available funding for 2025 fee relief was expended within two (2) hours of the fee relief application window being opened. Early and complete submission of 2026 applications is strongly encouraged.