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Houston County holds first readings for vape-shop and alcohol ordinance changes
Summary
County Attorney Tom Hall gave first readings of proposed amendments to restrict vape shops and to revise Chapter 6 (Alcoholic Beverages), including a five-mile siting requirement for new retail package liquor stores and fee increases; both items return for public hearing and second reading June 2, 2026.
Houston County Attorney Tom Hall read proposed amendments to the county code at the May 19, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting, launching a public process that will include a second reading and public hearing on June 2, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. at the Houston County Courthouse in Perry.
The first proposal would impose new restrictions and limitations on vape shops. The second would amend Chapter 6, Alcoholic Beverages: it updates the statutory citation to O.C.G.A. § 3-1-1 et seq.; replaces references to the County Clerk with the Director of Administration; requires that new retail package liquor stores be located at least five miles from an existing retail package liquor store with the distance certified by a Georgia Registered Land Surveyor at the applicant's expense; raises the annual retail liquor license fee from $4,000 to $5,000; and increases the annual wholesale beer license fee from $100 to $500 for wholesale dealers whose principal place of business is in Houston County.
Chairman Dan Perdue said the Board is operating under an existing moratorium on vape shops and liquor stores while it considers additional restrictions, and set June 2 for the required public hearing and vote. The items remain at the first-reading stage; no votes on final adoption occurred at the May 19 meeting.
