To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: MARC WIENER, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING MODIFICATIONS TO THE REDONDO BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO THE PERMITTING AND OPERATION OF COMMERCIAL SMOKE SHOPS
DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE AN URGENCY ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A MORATORIUM ON THE APPROVAL OF NEW COMMERCIAL SMOKE SHOPS IN THE CITY AND TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR MAY 6, 2025 TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF THE URGENCY ORDINANCE
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On January 21, 2025, the City Council discussed issues associated with smoke shops and tobacco retail businesses in Redondo Beach and directed staff to return with a draft ordinance that would more effectively regulate and limit the proliferation of these types of businesses. Following the meeting, the Redondo Beach Police Department published a March 20, 2025 press release stating that a joint operation with the state oversight agency led to the confiscation of illegal tobacco and cannabis products at two local smoke shops.
Other cities throughout the state are also encountering compliance issues with their smoke shops. For example, the City of Modesto inspected its 47 smoke shops and found that all were selling flavored tobacco products, which were outlawed in 2022. The City of Fresno conducted inspections of its 67 smokes shops and found that 79% were selling illegal cannabis products, which resulted in the issuance of $5 million in citations to the non-compliant businesses.
Staff has prepared a draft ordinance pertaining to smoke shop permitting and operation. It is recommended that the Council review the draft ordinance and provide policy direction before it is presented to the Planning Commission for consideration. Following Planning Commission review and input the Ordinance would be brought back to City Council for final deliberation. Additionally, it is recommended that an Urgency Ordinance be prepared and considered for adoption to establish a ...
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