Coral Springs officials plan new rules to limit the growing number of smoke and vape shops
Coral Springs, Florida – A wave of new smoke and vape shops has swept through Coral Springs since 2020, and city leaders are now taking steps to rein in the rapid expansion.
In the past few years, the number of these establishments in the city has surged by nearly 260%, according to city data. Before the pandemic, Coral Springs had only seven smoke or vape businesses. Since then, 18 more have applied for business licenses – bringing the total to 25 within the 24-square-mile city.
In contrast, neighboring Coconut Creek, which is about half the size, is home to only two smoke shops.
Commissioner Joshua Simmons has voiced concerns over the spike in single-use storefronts, especially as many appear clustered within close proximity. “I just look at the amount that are opening up in the city,” Simmons said. “It feels like almost every vacant store that is there, it gets filled with a smoke shop. And then, a lot of them are in close proximity.”
On West Sample Road alone, two smoke shops are located just doors apart—one at 9863 and another planning to open at 9801. The concentration of these businesses has raised flags among local officials who say they want to see greater economic diversity in the city’s commercial spaces.
“It’s more about the proliferation of them,” Simmons clarified. He added that while he hasn’t received direct complaints from residents, the trend reminds him of earlier concerns when the city was preparing for an influx of medical marijuana dispensaries. Back then, city leaders implemented specific zoning guidelines that required dispensaries to be spaced apart, helping to avoid overconcentration in any one area.
“I saw how we were creative in drawing up guidelines or some rules around medical marijuana dispensaries,” Simmons said. Now, he’s suggesting a similar approach could help Coral Springs manage the rapid spread of smoke and vape retailers.
At a recent city commission workshop, Simmons raised the issue with his colleagues, who agreed the city should consider changes to the local ordinances. One idea floated was encouraging plaza owners to seek more varied tenants, rather than defaulting to smoke-related businesses for every empty unit.
The city is already moving forward with a possible regulatory update. Last week, the Coral Springs City Clerk’s Office issued a notice informing residents about upcoming changes that would affect retail stores dedicating more than 20% of their floor space to tobacco, nicotine, or CBD products—excluding medical marijuana.
According to the notice, new regulations may include distance requirements between such shops, as well as considerations related to setbacks, open space, parking, and even architectural features. The city anticipates finalizing the changes within the next six months.
For now, Coral Springs leaders say the focus isn’t on judging what these shops sell, but on controlling how many are allowed to open, and where. As Simmons put it, “I’d like to see more economic diversity.”
