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Villa Rica staff propose 1,500-foot buffer, new definitions to curb vape and smoke shops
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Summary
City staff asked council to approve a zoning text amendment that would extend the proximity requirement for smoke and vape shops from 300 to 1,500 feet, define vape-related terms, and classify shops by sales or display thresholds; Planning and Zoning suggested a 50% display rule as an alternative.
City planning staff presented a text amendment to the Villa Rica City Council proposing tighter zoning controls for smoke and vape retailers, including expanding separation requirements and adding definitions for vape products and dispensaries.
Sean Daniels, planning and zoning administrator, told council that the amendment (TA‑04‑25) would change the zoning code so a smoke or vape shop could not locate within 1,500 feet of a “sensitive area” (property-line to property-line measurement) such as a hospital, park or school, up from the current 300 feet. He said staff also proposed classifying businesses where nicotine or vape-related purchases exceed 25% of aggregate sales as a smoke/vape shop.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended a different approach on the measurable threshold: replace the proposed sales threshold with a visual/display standard that would qualify a business as a smoke or vape shop if vape products occupied at least 50% of the business’s total display area. Daniels warned that both approaches present enforcement challenges and acknowledged the difficulty of policing display area versus sales data.
Councilmembers discussed measurement method, enforcement and where vape shops will be allowed. Staff clarified that smoke and vape shops would be permitted only in C‑2 zoning and that distance is measured property line to property line. Councilmember Warmoth and others favored a quantitative sales measure over a subjective visual test. “I almost feel like the amount of sales is what would matter more so than the amount of display,” Warmoth said.
The amendment also adds medical cannabis dispensaries to the zoning text. Daniels noted these uses are tightly regulated under Georgia state law and would likely resemble pharmacies in design and investment, not small vape shops.
Ending: The council was advised that the text amendment requires a public hearing before final action; staff and Planning and Zoning offered alternative language on thresholds and enforcement that will be the subject of the public hearing and further council consideration.
