Planning commission backs ordinance to regulate smoke shops, urges stricter enforcement and buffer zones

The Redondo Beach Planning Commission voted July 17 to recommend that the City Council adopt an ordinance to regulate smoke shops, requiring a conditional use permit (CUP) for new and existing retailers and establishing an initial cap of 10 citywide that would phase to five over time.

Planning Director Mark Weiner told the commission “there are approximately 15 to 17 smoke shops in Redondo Beach,” and said the draft ordinance responds to compliance concerns and documented instances of illegal product sales at some stores. The proposal directs existing establishments to obtain a CUP within five years; staff said the city would process CUPs for existing shops on a first-come, first-served basis and that some shops could be required to cease operations if they fail to secure a permit.

Commissioners said the proposal should be tightened before council action. The commission recommended changes including narrower operating hours, expanded buffers around parks and residential zones, clearer treatment of hookah and cigar lounges, and additions to enforcement tools. Commissioners repeatedly asked staff to return with mechanisms for administrative fines or other penalties, and with a bond or fee structure to help fund inspections and compliance work.

The draft ordinance would define “smoke shop” (tobacco retailer) and exempt ancillary tobacco sales if tobacco occupies no more than 2% of gross floor area or 200 square feet, whichever is less. It would mirror recently adopted cannabis rules by requiring minimum separation distances from sensitive uses (600 feet from schools/day-care and similar), 1,000 feet between like retailers, and a 150-foot buffer for certain parks. Staff said the ordinance limits hours to 8 a.m.–9 p.m. by default but can be modified by the commission; several commissioners proposed changing the start time to 10 a.m.

Commissioners pressed staff on enforcement specifics. Assistant City Attorney Cheryl Park and staff explained the municipal code currently permits criminal infractions and CUP revocation, but that a civil/administrative citation program and associated fines are not yet in the city’s code. Staff agreed to research adding an administrative citation or civil-penalty regime, to propose a bond option for CUP applicants, and to identify possible funding sources — including state grants under Proposition 56 — to support police and code enforcement efforts.

Public commenters addressed enforcement and youth protection. Eugene Solomon, Redondo Beach District 1, asked the commission to recommend the council seek Proposition 56 enforcement grant funds; he cited Fresno’s $1.4 million award for illegal tobacco sales enforcement. Lee Martin of the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance warned that the ancillary-sales thresholds and vapor-product definitions could unintentionally reclassify convenience stores and gas stations as smoke shops and asked for NAICS-code exemptions and protections for business transfers. A representative of the California PTA urged the commission to explicitly cover synthetic- or tobacco‑free nicotine products marketed to youth; staff said the draft ecigarette definition treats most vaping “juice” as tobacco paraphernalia for purposes of the ordinance.

Votes at a glance: The commission voted to adopt the resolution recommending council adopt the ordinance with the commission’s suggested amendments (agenda item J-1, PC25-10-25). Roll-call vote: Commissioner Light — yes; Commissioner Boswell — yes; Commissioner Young — yes; Commissioner Gattis — yes; Commissioner Conroy — yes; Commissioner Hazeltine — yes; Chairperson Craig — yes. Outcome: approved (7–0).

Next steps: Staff will incorporate the planning commission’s suggestions and bring a revised ordinance and accompanying enforcement options to the City Council. Staff also said the moratorium remains in place while the city finalizes the permanent ordinance. The commission noted it had up to a year under the urgency ordinance to settle substantial changes before final council action.