Frisco officials have barred smoke shops from opening with 1,000 feet of homes, schools and places of worship.
Frisco City Council unanimously adopted an amendment that defines what a smoke shop is and limits where they can be located at a Feb. 3 meeting.
The specifics
The amendment defines a smoke shop as a store whose primary business “is the selling, sampling or exhibiting of tobacco products, smokeless tobacco products, liquid nicotine, e-cigarettes ... and other smoking-related supplies, devices or accessories.”
Under the previous zoning ordinance, smoke shops were subject to the same requirements as other retail establishments.
According to the new zoning ordinance, smoke shops are prohibited within 1,000 feet of:
- Residences
- Schools
- Places of worship
- Hospitals
- Licensed childcare centers
- Other smoke shops
What it meansThe city has given notice to 41 existing smoke shops that do not comply with the new restrictions.
Current businesses are protected under the city’s non-conforming use policy, which allows them to remain operational but places certain limitations on expansion and rebuilding, Development Services Director John Lettelleir said at a Jan. 6 council meeting.
Any future smoke shops will have to comply with the amendment.
The backstory
The process to regulate smoke shops in Frisco started nearly two years ago.
At the Jan. 6 meeting, Mayor Jeff Cheney said the amendment is based on feedback from residents who are concerned about the proliferation of smoke shops in Frisco, especially near schools.
