Waterford trustees introduce local licensing, zoning and fee package for vape and smoking stores

The Waterford Township Board on March 23 introduced a three-part local regulatory package for retail vape and smoking stores that would require township licenses, add zoning special-approval requirements and set initial fees.

Development Services Director Jeffrey Polkowski told trustees the licensing ordinance (Ordinance 2026‑002) would cap the number of township-issued licenses at 17, require Major Site Plan and Special Approval before a license can be issued, set operating hours (9 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday–Saturday; 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday), require 500-foot separation from other stores and sensitive uses, and make licenses nontransferable. The ordinance sets an annual renewal process and authorizes inspection, suspension and revocation for repeated violations or criminal convictions connected to the premises. Polkowski said the licensing program is designed to work together with a separate zoning text amendment that would require planning review and impose display and building-location limits.

Clerk Kim Markee and Director Polkowski also presented a fee schedule resolution that would set a $500 nonrefundable application fee, a $450 annual license fee and a $500 transfer fee to help cover administrative and enforcement costs. The Board voted to introduce the ordinance, the zoning text amendment (2026‑Z‑004), and the fee schedule and to place them on the April 13, 2026 Board agenda for possible adoption.

The ordinance establishes a five-stage review process: Planning Commission review (Major Site Plan/Special Approval), administrative completeness check by the Clerk, staff review, Board decision (approve/approve with conditions/deny), and issuance by the Clerk after conditions and fees are satisfied. Existing stores operating lawfully at adoption would have 90 days to apply for a license under the proposal.

Polkowski said the ordinance aims to address local concerns including underage sales identified by police and to provide the Township with additional tools to regulate location, hours and on-premises operations. Trustees did not vote to adopt the ordinance on March 23; the introduction was unanimous, and final adoption will be considered on April 13.

The Board packet and ordinance text specify the license requirements and application materials (including state exemption certificate, proof of insurance, indemnification and a statement of prior violations). The proposed zoning amendment would prohibit product displays visible from the public right-of-way, disallow drive-throughs and require that operations occur within an enclosed building (curbside pickup allowed if shown on site plans).