Smoke And Vape Shops Have New Restrictions In Johns Creek

JOHNS CREEK, GA — The City of Johns Creek has changed its zoning laws for smoke shops, which now limits them to retail shopping centers, and not near churches and schools.

The ordinance changes were approved at a Monday meeting. New smoke and vape businesses would need zoning approval from City Council. They aren’t permitted to open within 200 yards of any church, temple or place of worship. New smoke shops can’t be near daycares, schools, colleges or government buildings.

At a Feb. 8 Planning Commission meeting, members unanimously approved a text amendment to the City's zoning code.

Related: Smoke Shop Restrictions: Johns Creek City Planners Want More

In 2019, the city adopted a text amendment that allowed no more than 25 percent of a store’s floor space to be used for the sale or advertisement of vape-related products. But city officials said business owners found loopholes and even opened lounge areas to encourage smoking.

On Aug. 30, 2021, the mayor and Council imposed a six-month moratorium on accepting and processing business tax certificates, building permit applications and approving new vape and smoke shops.

The city conducted research on how surrounding cities and counties regulated smoke shops, and rather than impose a ban, they decided to find ways to regulate it.

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