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Interim Control Ordinance / Tobacco, Nicotine, and Related Products / Prohibition of Establishment or Expansion / Operations Near Sensitive Uses

Council File 25-0916

Approved — the city enacted a temporary freeze on new smoke, vape, and tobacco shops in Council District 15 near schools and youth centers while permanent regulations are being drafted citywide.

Introduced
2025-08-12
Last changed
2026-07-10
Status
open
Expires
2028-06-26
Mover
TIM MCOSKER
Second
JOHN S. LEE
References
City Attorney Report: R26-0345

Brief

Councilmember Tim McOsker introduced an interim control ordinance prohibiting the establishment or expansion of tobacco, nicotine, and related product retailers within specified distances of sensitive uses including schools, parks, libraries, and youth centers. The ordinance passed Planning and Land Use Management Committee as amended in March 2026, was adopted by Council 14-0-1 on July 1, 2026, and became effective July 10, 2026. The City Attorney's office prepared supporting analysis.

Full summary

Councilmember Tim McOsker, seconded by Councilmember John S. Lee, introduced a motion directing the City to enact an interim control ordinance (ICO) halting new smoke shops, vape shops, and tobacco retailers in Council District 15, particularly near sensitive uses such as schools and youth facilities. The ICO specifically freezes the processing and issuance of any by-right land use permits for these businesses, as well as any tobacco retailer's permits as defined under Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 46.90, while the City develops permanent land use regulations. The urgency clause — requiring a four-fifths vote — makes the ordinance effective immediately upon publication rather than after the typical waiting period. The file moved through several substantive stages before the ordinance was finalized. After the motion was introduced in August 2025, the Planning and Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee directed the Department of City Planning (DCP) to study tobacco and nicotine sales enforcement, resource needs, buffer zones, youth-access controls, and best practices from other jurisdictions. DCP submitted that research report in February 2026. At its March 2026 meeting, PLUM accepted the DCP findings and instructed DCP, in consultation with the City Attorney, to draft the ICO. Notably, a Council-adopted amending motion by McOsker and Councilmember Yaroslavsky also directed DCP to separately study a citywide version of the same prohibition — meaning the District 15 ICO may be a precursor to broader restrictions across Los Angeles. The City Attorney's office transmitted the draft ordinance on June 16, 2026, having reviewed it for form and legality. Under California Government Code Section 65858, the ICO takes effect for 45 days and can be extended by Council resolution for an additional 10 months and 15 days, then further extended for up to one year — for a total possible duration of approximately two years. DCP determined the ICO is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review because it maintains the existing status quo and creates no physical changes to the environment. PLUM waived committee consideration of the City Attorney's draft in June 2026, sending it directly to the full Council. The Council voted 14-0-1 on July 1, 2026, to adopt the ordinance. It was published and took effect on July 10, 2026, with an expiration date of June 26, 2028 absent further extension or permanent legislation. Community impact statements in support were submitted by the Coastal San Pedro, Wilmington, and Westside neighborhood councils during the file's earlier stages.

Activity (25)

  • 2026-07-10 Ordinance posted/published. Ordinance effective date: July 10, 2026.
  • 2026-06-26 Council action final.
  • 2026-06-26 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on July 1, 2026.
  • 2026-06-24 Council continued item to July 1, 2026 .
  • 2026-06-18 Planning and Land Use Management Committee waived consideration of item .
  • 2026-06-18 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on June 24, 2026.
  • 2026-06-17 City Attorney document(s) referred to Planning and Land Use Management Committee.
  • 2026-06-17 Document submitted by City Attorney, dated June 16, 2026.
  • 2026-03-27 Council action final.
  • 2026-03-24 Council adopted item, as amended, forthwith.
  • 2026-03-23 Community Impact Statement submitted by Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council.
  • 2026-03-20 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on March 24, 2026.
  • 2026-03-10 Planning and Land Use Management Committee approved as amended .
  • 2026-03-06 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on March 10, 2026.
  • 2026-02-11 Department of City Planning document(s) referred to Planning and Land Use Management Committee.
  • 2026-02-10 Document submitted by Department of City Planning, dated February 10, 2026.
  • 2025-11-15 Council action final.
  • 2025-11-12 Council adopted item forthwith.
  • 2025-11-07 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on November 12, 2025.
  • 2025-10-28 Planning and Land Use Management Committee approved as amended .
  • 2025-10-24 Planning and Land Use Management Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on October 28, 2025.
  • 2025-10-20 Community Impact Statement submitted by Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council.
  • 2025-09-29 Community Impact Statement submitted by Wilmington Neighborhood Council.
  • 2025-09-11 Community Impact Statement submitted by Westside Neighborhood Council.
  • 2025-08-12 Motion referred to Planning and Land Use Management Committee.

Documents (20)

Council votes (3)

  • 2026-07-01 Vote — 14-0-1 · Regular
  • 2026-06-24 Adopted to Continue — 10-1-4 · Regular
  • 2026-03-24 Adopted Forthwith — 14-0-1 · Regular

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