Planning commission backs rewrite of Riverdale smoke-shop rules, sends amendment to city council

The Riverdale City Planning Commission voted to forward a recommendation to the city council to amend Riverdale City Code Title 10, Chapter 10A-3 — the ordinance that regulates retail smoke shops — to adopt a definition and licensing alignment with Utah state code for a "retail tobacco specialty business." The commission approved the recommendation unanimously after a public hearing and staff presentation.

The proposed amendment would replace the current "retail smoke shop" paragraph, define a retail tobacco specialty business as a commercial establishment where tobacco sales account for more than 35% of annual gross receipts, where food and beverage receipts are less than 45%, and where the establishment is not licensed as a pharmacy. The draft also would require local license issuance only after proof of a valid state retail tobacco specialty permit and any applicable Weber-Morgan Health Department approvals.

Staff desc…