Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Retail Hours topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Garfield council advances ordinance to bar retail operations between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Summary
On April 22, the Garfield Mayor and Council advanced a first-reading ordinance that would prohibit retail businesses from operating between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., citing overnight loitering, drag racing and late-night disorder. A final hearing is scheduled for May 13.
Garfield Mayor and Council voted April 22 to advance an ordinance that would prohibit retail businesses from operating between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., a step leaders said is aimed at curbing late-night loitering, drug activity and drag racing associated with 24-hour stores.
The measure, introduced as Ordinance 3072 (R-210-25), would apply broadly to retail sales citywide, including convenience stores and large-format retailers. Mayor Garnto said the council has seen persistent problems linked to nighttime crowds and expects the restriction to reduce disruptive activity.
"We're taking back the city for the residents," Deputy Mayor Kaine said during the meeting, urging the change to protect neighborhoods. Deputy Mayor Raymond and other council members described scenes of loitering and drag racing in retail parking lots and said the change will be enforced by police.
Council members acknowledged the ordinance could prompt legal pushback from large retailers and predicted appeals. "We have a very good attorney," one council member said, adding the city would respond to any challenges.
City staff and the police department framed the ordinance as one tool in a wider strategy that also includes the creation of a small, overtime-funded "quality of life" police unit to focus enforcement on noise, loitering and other neighborhood nuisances.
The council advanced the ordinance on first reading and scheduled a final public hearing for the May 13, 2025 meeting. If adopted on second reading, the ordinance would set new prohibited hours for retail operations; the text includes exceptions for restaurants and other non-retail uses, according to staff remarks at the meeting.
Next steps: the council will accept public comment at the May 13 hearing and then vote on final adoption. Council members said they expect larger retailers to contact the governing body before then.
