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Riverside council adopts 45‑day moratorium on new smoke‑shop permits after police reports of illegal sales
Summary
The City Council approved a 45‑day urgency ordinance halting new tobacco retail establishment permits while staff studies public‑safety, land‑use and enforcement options after police described widespread permit violations and repeated calls for service at smoke‑shop locations.
The Riverside City Council voted unanimously Aug. 16 to adopt an urgency ordinance imposing a 45‑day moratorium on the issuance of new tobacco retail establishment permits, citing public‑safety concerns and widespread regulatory noncompliance at certain smoke‑shop locations.
Deputy Chief Charlie Payne, who led the presentation for the Riverside Police Department vice unit, outlined multiple criminal investigations and enforcement actions involving smoke shops and other tobacco retailers. Payne said the vice team had seized untaxed tobacco products, cannabis items, psilocybin products, nitrous oxide tanks and firearms during recent searches and that many investigated locations remained open after seizures and arrests.
Why it matters: Council members argued the pause is necessary to study whether zoning, permitting and enforcement changes can reduce nuisances and protect public health, especially with new state rules taking effect. Supporters noted the moratorium applies only to new permits and would not disrupt lawfully operating, permitted businesses.
Council Member Mill said enforcement already shows a local public‑safety impact and argued the city needs stronger tools: “These establishments … are providing these folks with the means to smoke their methamphetamine,” he said, linking illicit sales and repeat police responses at certain sites. Paloma Montes, public policy lead at Blue Zones Project Riverside, told the council her group's research found high retailer density and urged limits near youth‑oriented sites.
The ordinance, narrowly drafted by the City Attorney’s office per staff, would take effect immediately if ratified by a supermajority and remain in place for an initial 45 days; extensions require additional council votes. Staff was directed to engage community stakeholders, study regulatory options (including zoning and permit structure), and return with recommendations for enforcement improvements and code revisions.
The council recorded a unanimous vote in favor of the urgency ordinance. The moratorium covers only new tobacco‑retail permits and does not affect renewals or businesses with preexisting lawful operations; pending applications submitted before the ordinance's adoption may be eligible for completion under the attorney's guidance.
What happens next: Staff will coordinate an outreach and study process during the moratorium, evaluate impacts of pending state legislation referenced in the report, and develop enforcement and permitting options for council consideration.
