SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — The Town of Surfside Beach Planning Commission moved forward with new regulations governing the operation of cannabis dispensing businesses, smoke shops, and tobacco stores.
Planning Commissioners have been debating the legal ramifications of a new vape shop ordinance since the town enacted a moratorium on new smoke shops in October 2024.
Town officials seek to limit those types of establishments in an attempt to maintain a ‘family beach’ atmosphere.
The commission approved the new ordinance and recommended that it move to the full town council after it is reviewed by the town’s police chief and town attorney.
“I think we’ve done the best we possibly could with it,” said Commissioner Mary Ellen Abrams. “And we need to move it.”
The town has a July 8 deadline for its moratorium on granting business licenses to tobacco or cannabis dispensing businesses.
RELATED: Surfside Beach makes first decision on vape store moratorium
Under the new rules, vape shop businesses would be permitted only in the C-1 Highway Commercial District as conditional uses, subject to specific location restrictions.
Commissioners said the ordinance would require smoke shop businesses to be situated on properties fronting Sandy Lane and must maintain a distance of at least 1,000 feet from residential zones, churches, schools, and other public spaces or child-specific sites like schools or daycares.
The ordinance requires businesses to obtain a conditional use permit and prohibits smoking, inhaling, or ingesting substances on the premises.
Sales to minors and self-service tobacco displays would be banned under the proposed ordinance.
Existing businesses would have 180 days to comply with the new regulations or seek an exemption.
Violations of the ordinance, such as providing false information or illegal sales, may result in the revocation of permits.
The ordinance provides that businesses that derive 10% or less of their revenue from cannabis and tobacco products may qualify for exemption from these requirements.
