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Newport News council adopts stricter rules for vape shops, sets hours and density limits
Summary
The Newport News City Council on Sept. 23 adopted zoning changes defining and regulating vape shops, lowering a threshold from 50% to 20% in text and limiting hours of operation to 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; council also allowed vape shops by right in the C-2 General Commercial district. The measures passed unanimously.
The Newport News City Council unanimously adopted a package of zoning changes on Sept. 23 that define and regulate vape shops, limit their operating hours and allow them by right in the city's C-2 General Commercial district.
Mayor Philip Jones said the ordinance aims to address public-safety concerns and protect young people by clarifying how vape shops appear in the city's zoning code. Council voted to incorporate planning commission recommendations that reduce a previously cited 50% threshold to 20% where noted in the ordinance text, and to add a specific hours-of-operation restriction of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The ordinance amends City Code chapter 45's definitions and general regulations (including section 45-540, as presented to council). No members of the public spoke against the change during the hearing. A revised draft that included the recommended edits was approved on a 6-0 voice vote.
Council members framed the change as one of public-safety regulation, not business closure: the mayor and council members said the rules seek to reduce youth exposure and provide consistent enforcement language for planners and code officers.
What happens next: the ordinance takes effect according to the city's standard adoption procedures. City staff said the language reflects planning commission recommendations and will appear in the code update published after final administrative processing.
