Fresno to close over 100 smoke shops under new regulations

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Over 100 smoke shops will be ceasing operations after the City of Fresno voted to pass a long-disputed ordinance Thursday.

The Smoke Shop Text Amendment, an ordinance that strengthens oversight and regulation of smoke shops in the City of Fresno, was passed with a majority vote during Thursday’s city council meeting.

The ordinance will shut down over 100 smoke shops citywide, allowing a maximum of seven per council district and capping the number of businesses at 49. The smoke shops that do remain will be closed for longer — the new ordinance limits store hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

New smoke shops will also be prohibited from opening within 1,000 feet of other smoke shops, schools, parks, and daycare centers.

The proposal’s proponents say the move will help keep Fresno’s youth safe and reduce illegal activity, which Arias said has been found in 95% of shops inspected.

“As elected leaders, we have a duty to protect the health and safety of our residents, and today we honored that responsibility. With the approval of this text amendment, we are combatting the unchecked rise of nearly 150 unregulated smoke shops, many with a long history of selling illegal products to minors, engaging in gambling, human trafficking, and illegal cannabis sales, and standing with families who deserve safe and healthy neighborhoods,” said Council Vice President Miguel Arias.

The new regulations will take effect in June 2025, but existing businesses will be given an 18-month amortization period to come into compliance with the new rules.

The ordinance was first introduced in October 2023 and is the result of 1.5 years of community engagement, public testimony, and detailed staff analysis. The last vote on March 13 failed to pass after dividing city council members 3-3.