TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Beth Lindauer, Community Development Director
SUBJECT:
title
Public Hearing and First Reading of Ordinance 1096 adding Sections 25.255 through 25.272 (Tobacco Retailer Permit) to Chapter 25 of the Red Bluff Municipal Code.
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RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
recommendation
1. Conduct a public hearing;
2. Introduce and waive the first reading of Ordinance No. 1096 adding Article XXVIII (28) (Tobacco Retailer Permit) to Chapter 25 of the Red Bluff Municipal Code; and
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SUMMARY:
The proposed ordinance establishes a City-issued Tobacco Retailer Permit Program that requires each tobacco retailer to obtain a permit for each retail location operating within the City. The program is intended to promote compliance with existing State and Federal tobacco laws, educate retailers on their legal responsibilities, and provide the City with administrative enforcement tools for repeated violations. The ordinance does not replace the State licensing system, prohibit lawful tobacco sales to adults, or impose new restrictions on legal purchasers.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed ordinance at a duly noticed public hearing on July 28, 2026, and unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2026-19 recommending City Council approval.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed ordinance adds Article XXVIII (Sections 25.255 through 25.272) to Chapter 25 of the Red Bluff Municipal Code to establish a comprehensive Tobacco Retailer Permit Program.
The ordinance requires a Tobacco Retailer Permit for each retail location, establishes annual permit renewal requirements, outlines permit application procedures and eligibility standards, and sets operational requirements.
The ordinance provides the City with administrative tools to:
• Maintain an accurate inventory of tobacco retailers;
• Provide education regarding changes in State tobacco laws;
• Conduct compliance inspections;
• Coordinate enforcement with law enforcement agencies;
• Suspend or revoke permits for repeated violations; and
• Encourage voluntary compliance with existing tobacco laws.
Since the Planning Commission's initial review of this item, staff has strengthened the proposed program by submitting an application for the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program, developing a collaborative enforcement strategy with the Red Bluff Police Department, coordinating implementation efforts with local enforcement partners, and obtaining letters of support from the Red Bluff Police Department, the Tehama County District Attorney's Office, the Red Bluff Joint Union High School District, and the Red Bluff Union Elementary School District. These collaborative efforts demonstrate broad community support for an education-first, enforcement-focused program designed to improve compliance with existing tobacco laws while protecting youth and supporting responsible local businesses.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption), as it establishes an administrative permitting program and it can be seen with certainty that adoption of the ordinance will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable physical change to the environment.
CITY FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed ordinance does not establish permit fees. Section 25.264 authorizes the City Council to establish permit fees by future resolution. Any fee adopted will be limited to recovering the City's reasonable costs associated with administering and enforcing the Tobacco Retailer Permit Program.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Planning Commission Resolution No. 2026-19
2. EXHIBIT A - Draft Ordinance
3. EXHIBIT B - Application