STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
PH 2
3/24/2026
TN
Date: March 24, 2026
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From: Patti Garibay, Director - Community Development
Nicole Jones, Manager – Community Development
Subject: Introduce Ordinances Amending Title 5 (Business Licenses) of the Lancaster Municipal Code for Amortization Purposes
Recommendation:
1. Conduct a Public Hearing
2. Tobacco Retail Establishments Ordinance
a. Introduce and waive further reading of proposed Ordinance XX amending Section
5.42.130 of the Lancaster Municipal Code to eliminate references to “deemed approved” status for tobacco retailers;
b. Determine that the ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3); and
c. Direct staff to return for second reading and adoption.
3. Alcoholic Beverage Establishments and Recycling Facilities Ordinance a. Introduce and waive further reading of proposed Ordinance XX amending Section
5.04.050 of the Lancaster Municipal Code to require applicants for alcoholic beverage establishment business licenses to demonstrate compliance with applicable zoning permits under Title 17 and establish additional business license requirements for recycling facilities;
b. Determine that the ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3); and
c. Direct staff to return for second reading and adoption.
4. Massage Establishments Ordinance
a. Introduce and waive further reading of proposed Ordinance XX amending Section
5.34.150 of the Lancaster Municipal Code to eliminate references to “deemed approved” status for massage establishments;
b. Determine that the ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3); and
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c. Direct staff to return for second reading and adoption.
G.C. Section 84308: No
Fiscal Impact:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with adoption of the proposed ordinances. The amendments are regulatory in nature and are intended to improve land use compatibility, strengthen oversight of certain regulated businesses, and clarify enforcement mechanisms.
Indirect administrative efficiencies may result through clearer entitlement and licensing requirements.
Background:
The proposed ordinances amend portions of Title 5 of the Lancaster Municipal Code to strengthen regulatory oversight and improve coordination between the City’s zoning and business licensing requirements for certain regulated businesses, including recycling facilities, tobacco retailers, alcoholic beverage establishments, and massage establishments.
These amendments are the result of ongoing review of land use impacts, enforcement challenges, and administrative processes identified by Community Development staff.
1. Tobacco Retail Establishments
The proposed ordinance amends Section 5.42.130 of the Lancaster Municipal Code to remove references to “deemed approved” status for tobacco retailers.
The time period for tobacco retailers to claim deemed approved status has expired, and all tobacco retailers are now required to comply with the City’s tobacco retailer licensing regulations regardless of when the business was originally established.
The amendment clarifies that the tobacco retailer regulations apply to all existing and future businesses subject to the requirements of Chapter 5.42.
2. Alcoholic Beverage Establishments
The proposed amendments to Section 5.04.050 require applicants for new or renewal business licenses for alcoholic beverage establishments to provide evidence that the applicant has obtained a conditional use permit or minor use permit if required under Title 17.
These amendments strengthen coordination between the City’s zoning regulations and business licensing process by ensuring that regulated businesses obtain required land use approvals prior to issuance or renewal of a business license.
3. Recycling Facilities and Temporary/Mobile Recycling Centers The proposed ordinance amends Section 5.04.050 of the Lancaster Municipal Code to establish additional business license application requirements for recycling facilities.
Under the proposed amendment, applicants for a new or renewal business license for a recycling facility must submit:
Evidence that the applicant has obtained the entitlement required under Title 17; and A signed written acknowledgment that the recycling facility will not occupy, obstruct, or otherwise interfere with required off-street parking spaces, drive aisles, landscaped areas, or pedestrian accessways.
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These requirements strengthen coordination between the City’s zoning regulations and business licensing process and help ensure that recycling facilities operate in a manner that does not create parking or circulation conflicts.
4. Massage Establishments
The proposed ordinance amends Section 5.34.150 of the Lancaster Municipal Code to remove references to “deemed approved” status for massage establishments.
As with tobacco retailers, the time period for claiming deemed approved status has expired, and all massage establishments are now subject to the City’s massage establishment regulations regardless of when the business was established.
This amendment clarifies the applicability of the City’s massage establishment regulations to all existing and future businesses.
Attachment:
Ordinance XX – Tobacco Retailers
Ordinance XX – Alcoholic Beverage Establishments and Recycling Facilities Ordinance XX – Massage Establishments