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San Joaquin County approves 45-day moratorium on new smoke-shop business licenses
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to adopt an urgency ordinance placing a temporary moratorium (45 days, extendable up to a year) on new tobacco- and smoke-shop business licenses while staff drafts a permanent business-license and regulatory framework.
The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an urgency ordinance that places a 45‑day moratorium on new business licenses for tobacco and smoke shops, allowing the county time to write permanent licensing and regulatory rules.
The vote followed extended debate about whether the moratorium would address the immediate public‑safety concerns raised by supervisors, Sheriff’s Office staff and community members. The board approved the measure 5-0.
The ordinance, described at the meeting as an "urgency ordinance" under the Government Code, temporarily bars issuance of new county business licenses for establishments that sell tobacco, tobacco products, tobacco paraphernalia and hemp products while staff develops a licensing program. County Counsel explained the moratorium would last 45 days and may be extended "for an additional 10 months and 15 days," giving the board roughly a year to adopt permanent rules.
The moratorium includes narrow carve‑outs intended by staff: gas stations selling…
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