Iowa City lifts tobacco permit moratorium

IOWA CITY — The Iowa City Council has lifted a moratorium on issuing new tobacco permits after unanimously finalizing a zoning code change that limits the number of tobacco retailers that can operate in one area.

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The moratorium, which was enacted in May and was set to expire at the end of the year, was an effort by the council to curb the increased presence of tobacco retailers in the city — especially in the downtown area.

Throughout the moratorium, council members debated other actions they could take, such setting a tobacco permit cap or banning kratom, an herbal substance commonly found in pill form that can produce stimulant or sedative effects depending on its dosage. The council decided to indefinitely defer a vote on the proposed kratom ban, instead opting to add kratom regulation to a list of state legislative priorities.

Change requires 500 feet between tobacco retailers

Under the zoning code changes approved Tuesday, tobacco and vape shops are not allowed within 500 feet of a school or university/college property. Additionally, a 500-foot separation is required between retailers selling tobacco.

Any retailer with an existing permit will be allowed to continue operating in its current location even if it violates the new zoning code. Retailers with grandfather rights will be allowed a 60-day permit lapse — meaning if they renew their license within 60 days of its expiration, they could retain the grandfather rights.

City staff have noted that a 500-foot separation between tobacco retailers would likely bar any new ones from opening in the downtown area.

Comments: megan.woolard@thegazette.com