Council holds first reading of smoke-shop ordinance; sets buffers, licensing and inspection fees

The Santa Ana City Council on March 3 received a staff presentation and held the first reading of an ordinance to regulate "smoke shops" and to establish inspection fees.

Planning staff explained the draft ordinance would define smoke shops as fixed retail storefronts (not mobile vendors), require conditional-use permits in commercial zones, and establish separation requirements (staff recommended a 1,000-foot buffer from schools, parks and other sensitive uses). The proposal includes operational standards (age minimums, limits on visible displays, required exterior lighting, graffiti removal and training) and a fee resolution to recover police and code-inspection costs.

Director of Planning (Ali) told council members that the city currently maps about 43 smoke shops and that many of the red-coded sites on the staff map appear to be operating without required permits. Staff said the ordinance would require businesses that are nonconforming to either comply within six months or discontinue the use. Councilmembers asked about enforcement, where the 1,000-foot buffer came from and whether the separation distance could be larger; staff said 1,000 feet is a standard separation used for other sensitive uses but the council could propose 2,000 feet.

After questions and public comment (no in-person or Zoom speakers were signed up for the item27s hearing), the council voted to introduce the ordinance on first reading and adopt the associated fee resolution. Staff said the second reading and potential adoption would be heard at the next council meeting and noted an effective date that staff provided during Q&A (the ordinance would take effect in mid-April after the second reading schedule).