Illegal smoke shops in Fresno could start closing next month

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Illegal smoke shops in Fresno could start closing next month after the city’s Smoke Shop Ordinance received final approval, according to the Office of Council Vice President Miguel A. Arias.

The announcement that the ordinance had been approved was made Tuesday afternoon, revealing that Mayor Jerry Dyer’s decision to stand with the Fresno City Council majority allowed the policy to move forward without veto.

Councilmembers say the Smoke Shop Text Amendment will officially take effect on June 5.

Fresno City Council voted to pass the text amendment on April 24 as part of efforts to close smoke shops that pose a public health and safety threat “by engaging in rampant sales of illegal products in our neighborhoods.”

“Thanks to the support of our City Council’s policy action, our City will finally have an effective
tool to address the illicit market illegal activities in smoke shops in our City,” said Arias.

The passing of the ordinance was described as a “long-overdue step toward restoring accountability and safety” in Fresno’s neighborhoods.

The regulations will now:

• Require smoke shops to apply for a Conditional Use Permit and Business Tax License
• Limit saturation to seven smoke shops per district
• Prohibit smoke shops from operating within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, daycare centers, youth facilities, and other smoke shops
• Implement signage and advertising restrictions
• Require a security plan approved by the Fresno Police Department
• Introduce a fine for selling to minors at $2,500 per offense

Officials add that new and existing smoke shops may apply for a Conditional Use Permit, and if the number of applicants is more than the number of Conditional Use Permits available in that district, then the City of Fresno will hold a lottery to select which stores receive the permit.