Pittsburgh is moving to reshape what kinds of businesses line its neighborhood commercial corridors with a new zoning ordinance targeting vape and smoke shops.
Mayor Corey O’Connor this week signed legislation that bans new vape shops, smoke shops and similar retailers from opening in local neighborhood business districts, a move the city said is aimed at promoting neighborhood quality of life, community health and more diverse business districts.
The ordinance regulates retailers that primarily sell tobacco, e‑cigarettes, vapes, smoking accessories and certain cannabinoid products, placing them under new zoning rules that limit where they can operate.
Existing shops are allowed to remain, but any new proposal will need to comply with the updated code and undergo review by the Department of City Planning’s Zoning Division and the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections.
O’Connor was joined at a ceremonial bill signing by Councilman Bobby Wilson, Councilperson Bob Charland, Council President Daniel Lavelle and Councilperson Erika Strassburger, who sponsored the legislation, along with former Councilwoman Theresa Kail‑Smith, also a sponsor. City leaders say the measure is part of a broader effort to balance business interests with the health and character of neighborhood business districts as vape and smoke retailers continue to expand across Pittsburgh.
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The full city announcement and ordinance details are available on the city’s website here.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New law bans vape, smoke shops from Pittsburgh neighborhood corridors
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