CM Wilson’s Bill to Regulate Vape Shops Pass at City Council

Published on June 09, 2026

Pittsburgh City Council Passes Bill to Regulate Vape Shops

The bill regulates all new vape shops by creating a new use in the City’s Zoning Code. 

Pittsburgh, PA (June 9, 2026)—Councilman Bobby Wilson’s (District 1) legislation to regulate Vape Shops in the City of Pittsburgh passed at today’s Regular Meeting. This version of the bill creates a new zoning category, Retail: Tobacco, Inhalant, and Cannabinoids, which include items such as electronic nicotine delivery systems i.e., vapes, CBD items, Delta-8 THC, Delta-10 THC, and others. This legislation does not impact licensed medical marijuana dispensaries. This retail use cannot be located with 1,000 feet of any elementary school or secondary school, it cannot be open between the hours of 11 P.M. and 9 A.M., and it cannot provide self-service sales. The original bill, introduced last year, included broader definitions and uses within the Zoning Code, making it initially harder to administer. “This version of Council Bill 2025-2250 provides a broader use category description, which expands and clarifies the list of products for sale, such as tobacco,” explained Carolyn Ristau, Zoning Administrator in the Department of City Planning. “It also reduces the number of zoning districts where this use would be allowed from 14 to 11. Finally, it revises operating standards to better regulate business standards and site locations.”

A map that shows the 1,000-foot buffer and the zoning districts where vape shops are permitted and not permitted can be found here: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/1e6a861cf90844f1bee250d51bf02655.

“Today’s vote at Council makes it clear; we do not want more vape shops in our neighborhoods,” Councilman Wilson stated. “This legislation prohibits new vape shops from opening in Downtown and all residentially zoned districts. As we continue to invest in Downtown’s recovery, it’s important that we are intentional about the types of uses we encourage in the heart of our City. After hearing from residents, business owners, organizations, and public health advocates, and most importantly our youth, I’m thrilled that we delivered for these stakeholders.”

This press release is an update to the one posted on June 3, 2026: https://www.pittsburghpa.gov/City-Government/The-City-Council/Districts/Bobby-Wilson-District-1/1-District-1-Newsletters-Press-Releases/Pittsburgh-City-Council-Recommends-Passing-Legislation-to-Restrict-Vape-Shops

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Julianne Hluska
Chief of Staff
Councilman Bobby Wilson
Julianne.hluska@pittsburghpa.gov
412-676-5758