Pittsburgh is updating its zoning code to create a dedicated classification and new conditional use requirements for stores selling tobacco, vape, and cannabinoid products. The change establishes specific zoning rules on where new smoke and vape shops can open across the city.

Official title›

Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code, Title Nine - Zoning, Article V, Use Regulations, Chapter 911: Primary Uses, to add Retail: Tobacco, Inhalant, and Cannabinoids, to add specific requirements and conditional use application requirements. (Sent to the Planning Commission for a report & recommendation on 10/15/25) (Report & recommendation received on 04/9/26) (Public Hearing held 05/26/26)

Topic: Land use & zoning
Money: none named
Who it affects: smoke, vape, and cannabinoid retail shop owners and neighboring residents
Sponsors: Theresa Kail-Smith, Erika Strassburger, Robert Charland, R. Daniel Lavelle, Bobby Wilson, Bobby Wilson, R. Daniel Lavelle, Robert Charland, Erika Strassburger, Theresa Kail-Smith, Bobby Wilson, R. Daniel Lavelle, Robert Charland, Erika Strassburger, Theresa Kail-Smith

zoning code vape shops tobacco retail cannabinoids planning commission

Record

What happened, and who voted how

Jun 9, 2026
City Council
meeting page
Passed · Passed Finally8–0, 1 absent
- Anthony CoghillY
- Barbara WarwickY
- Bobby WilsonY
- Deborah L. GrossY
- Erika StrassburgerY
- Khari MosleyY
- Kim SalinetroY
- R. Daniel LavelleY
- Robert Charland—

Source text

From the legislative file

..title
Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code, Title Nine - Zoning, Article V, Use Regulations, Chapter 911: Primary Uses, to add Retail: Tobacco, Inhalant, and Cannabinoids, to add specific requirements and conditional use application requirements.
(Sent to the Planning Commission for a report & recommendation on 10/15/25)
(Report & recommendation received on 04/9/26)
(Public Hearing held 05/26/26)

..body
WHEREAS, per the Centers for Disease Control, electronic cigarette ("vape") products often contain harmful substances, including nicotine (which is highly addictive and impairs adolescent brain development), heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, cancer-causing chemicals, and ultra-fine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs; and,

WHEREAS, per Johns Hopkins Medicine, exposure to e-cigarette or vapor aerosols, both first-hand and second-hand, has been associated in recent studies with elevated risks of lung disease, high blood pressure, and other adverse health outcomes in both youth and adults; and,

WHEREAS, per a recent review published in Health & Place, vape shops act as nodes in the built environment that increase visibility, accessibility, marketing exposure, and normalization of vaping behavior, especially among minors and socially-vulnerable populations; and,

WHEREAS, per a recent study published in the official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, vape shops are disproportionately clustered in urban areas and in neighborhoods with higher poverty rates, minority populations, and lower education levels, potentially exacerbating existing health disparities; and,

WHEREAS, the proximity of vape shops to child-centric uses such as schools increases the likelihood of youth exposure, initiation, and experimentation with vaping; and,

WHEREAS, the public interest in preventing youth nicotine addiction, shielding minors from persuasive advertising or indoor aerosol exposure, and ensuring that retail environments do not contribute disproportionately to health inequities justifies this proposed zoning ordinance under the City of Pittsburgh's powers to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of the community.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh ordains as follows:

Section 1. The Pittsburgh Zoning Code, Title Nine: Zoning, Article V: Use Regulations, Chapter 911: Primary Uses, 911.02 - Use Table is hereby amended as follows:

P = Permitted By Right
A = Administrator Exception S = Special E

[… 1,901 more characters in the original]

Open the original record ↗Plain-language summary written by gemini-flash-latest; votes, amounts and dates come from the record.

Land use & zoning

PittsburghPA

Pittsburgh is updating its zoning code to create a dedicated classification and new conditional use requirements for stores selling tobacco, vape, and cannabinoid products. The change establishes specific zoning rules on where new smoke and vape shops can open across the city.

What happened, and who voted how

From the legislative file

Related items