Spotsylvania board tasks staff to draft ordinance limiting vape and nicotine retailers near schools

The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 10 directed county staff to draft an ordinance to regulate the location of tobacco, nicotine and hemp retailers, including a potential 1,000‑foot restriction from schools and daycare centers.

Supervisor Childress moved the action after saying he had received more than 90 emails from residents concerned about a proposed vape shop just feet from Chancellor Elementary School. He cited recent state legislation (House Bill 947, effective July 1) that authorizes localities to regulate retail locations of these products and to prohibit locations within 1,000 linear feet of child‑care centers or schools.

"With the General Assembly passing the legislation... authorizing localities to regulate by ordinance the retail sale locations of tobacco, nicotine, and hemp products," Childress said, "I'd like to make a motion... that we task staff in drafting an ordinance to regulate the location of these uses." The board voted to approve the motion (7‑0).

After the vote, Ryan Mahaffey (Commonwealth’s Attorney) addressed the board during a later public‑comment period to express support for an ordinance that would prohibit vape and tobacco shops within 1,000 feet of schools.

Next steps: staff will draft ordinance language for board review and likely return the draft for consideration at a future meeting; the motion did not specify implementation details or a formal public‑hearing date.

Votes at a glance: Motion to task staff to draft a vape‑shop proximity ordinance — passed, 7 yes, 0 no.