Ohio: Painesville Township Proposes Strict Vape Shop Zoning Rules

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1747138669 Vaping Regulations in Ohio

Painesville Township trustees are set to review a proposed zoning resolution that limits where tobacco, vape, and hemp retailers can operate. The township’s zoning commission voted unanimously on August 10 to advance the proposal, which aims to regulate the density and hours of electronic smoking device sales.

Under the proposed rules, specialized smoke, vape, and hemp shops would be restricted to the B-3 Commercial zoning district, primarily located along Route 20. These businesses would only be permitted as tenants within multi-tenant shopping centers, with a limit of one vape shop per center. Freestanding principal buildings for these businesses would be prohibited.

The resolution establishes a 2,000-foot buffer zone. Shops could not open within this distance of schools, licensed day-care centers, public parks, places of worship, or existing vape and tobacco retailers. Additionally, the rules mandate a nightly closure between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Establishments operating legally before the resolution’s passage could continue operating as a “legal nonconforming use.” Furthermore, businesses like supermarkets, gas stations, and pharmacies would not face these restrictions if their tobacco sales remain incidental.

The zoning commission is also preparing for public hearings on September 14 regarding other amendments. These include removing “discharge of a firearm” from the prohibited uses list to align with Ohio state law, extending design guidelines to B-2 General Retail properties, and adjusting residential parking buffer requirements.

Matthew Ma
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