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RiversideCA.gov1
WORKSHOP – SMOKE SHOPS AND TOBACCO RETAILLand Use CommitteeNovember 10, 2025Community & Economic Development Department RiversideCA.gov2
BACKGROUNDAB 3218 is passed banning the sale of flavored tobaccoAdopt RMC Chapter 6.24 -Licensure of Tobacco Retailer2006Update RMC Chapter 6.24 to Permitting of Tobacco Retail Establishments45-day moratorium on tobacco retail permit issuance and renewal202120252024 2 10/29/2025
RiversideCA.gov3
BACKGROUND
Known locations with active tobacco retail use226
Locations operating without a valid Tobacco Retail Establishment Permit 20 Of the 20 businesses are smoke shops13
Reference only
RiversideCA.gov4
RMC CHAPTER 6.24 Tobacco Retail Establishment Permit•Required for all tobacco retailers•Nontransferable•Renewed every 2 years•Must obey all applicable local, state, and federal laws•No sales between the hours of 2:00am and 6:00am•Permits may be revoked if violation is determined•Operators without necessary permits are subject to closure of the facility Image source: pa-tobaccomerchanted.org
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RiversideCA.gov5
RMC TITLE 19 – ZONING CODETobacco retail considered “retail sales”•Retail sales permitted all commercial and mixed-use zones•No operating standards, site standards, or land use permits specific to tobacco retail Image source: koronapos.com
RMC Smoke Shop Definition:A business with sales of tobacco, either loose or prepared as cigarettes and products for the smoking of tobacco constituting more than 30 percent of gross sales and/or 30 percent of net lease area RMC Retail Sales Definition:A commercial enterprise that provides goods and/or services directly to the consumer. Where such goods are normally available for immediate purchase and removal form the premises by the purchaser RiversideCA.gov6
PEER CITY COMPARISONApproach 1: Tobacco Sales= Retail SalesApproach 2:Distance requirements and/or discretionary reviewApproach 3: Prohibited, phases out tobacco licenses citywide
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RiversideCA.gov7
APPROACH 1 –STATUS QUOTreat Smoke Shops as Retail Sales•2 cities do not define or regulate smoke shops in Zoning Code.•Riverside defines smoke shops but regulates as retail sales. •Tobacco retail primarily regulated through State, Federal law and municipal code•No standards regulating where smoke shops may be located in permitted zones Image source: New York Times
RiversideCA.gov8
APPROACH 2A –DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS•Pasadena: 1000-foot distance from arcades, internet cafes, libraries, daycare, parks, schools and theaters.•Moreno Valley:•600 feet from another smoke shop, adult business, emergency shelter, rehab center, civic institution, or sober living facility•400 feet from higher education institutions•200 feet from churches, indoor/outdoor recreation facilitiesImage source: New York Times Image source: Countertools.orgPros: Can be tailored to protect specific uses Cons: Must establish procedures for existing compliant smoke shops that may not meet distance requirement 5 10/29/2025
RiversideCA.gov9
APPROACH 2B –DISCRETIONARY REVIEW•Pasadena: CUP is required in addition to distance requirements•Moreno Valley: In addition to distance requirements, CUP is required when: •Within 600 feet of a school, daycare, park, nonprofit youth facility; or•Within 300 feet of residentialImage source: New York TimesImage source: Countertools.org Image source: NJ.comPros•Allows for more regulatory oversight on a case-by-case basis•Is an inherent time/cost investment for applicantsCons•Entitlements mean a vested development right•Difficult to revoke•May not limit smoke shops, and instead allow the use under any operator on a given property RiversideCA.gov10
APPROACH 3 -PROHIBITProhibit Tobacco Sales Citywide•Phase out tobacco retail permits completely over the course of 1.5 years•Considerations for impacts to stakeholders•Would require outreach and engagement with business/property owners.•Would need to establish legal amortization/termination proceduresImage source: New York TimesImage source: City of Beverly HillsImage source: NJ.com Image source: PNGkey.com
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RiversideCA.gov11
That the Land Use, Sustainability, and Resilience Committee:1.Receive and file Workshop on the existing Tobacco Retail regulations within Chapter 6.24 and Title 19 of the Riverside Municipal Code (RMC); and 2.Provide staff direction to maintain current code or explore any potential changes to policies or regulations. RECOMMENDATIONS