Under a new ordinance the local council is considering, tobacco retailers in Iowa City will not be approved for new licenses if their business is within 500 feet of schools, universities, and other tobacco shops.
The proposal passed its first of three considerations by the Iowa City City Council on Tuesday, part of a three-pronged effort by the council to limit tobacco permits and products amid industry growth.
The ordinance will require a vote at two more meetings before the restrictions go into effect. The council still has an active ban in place on new tobacco license applications through the end of 2024 thanks to a moratorium the city established in May.
The new ordinance is unlikely to significantly impact renewals, which typically go before the council in late spring.
More: Iowa City’s tobacco permit moratorium will address safety concerns, influx of vape shops
Ordinance restricts shops to 500 foot radius ner schools, similar businesses
A key portion of the added language reads: “A tobacco sales oriented use… must be separated by a minimum distance of 500 feet from any other tobacco sales oriented use, any general educational facility, and any college and university.”