Bristol council hears joint public hearing on restricting recreational-substance retail near schools and parks
June 24, 2026 | Bristol, Washington County, Virginia
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City staff presented a joint public hearing to the Bristol City Council and Planning Commission on proposed amendments to Chapter 50 that would regulate a new land-use category defined as recreational-substance retail.
Planning staff member Mr. Dietrich said the ordinance would classify establishments that derive 25% or more of sales (or 15% of display space) from specified products — including tobacco, vaping devices, certain hemp-derived food products and kratom — and bar new outlets within 1,000 feet of another recreational-substance retail store, a public library, school, playground, park or daycare.
"No recreational substance retail use may be established within 1,000 ft of any other recreational use retail establishment," Mr. Dietrich said, explaining the buffer and showing a map of existing stores and 1,000‑foot buffers in the B3 general business district. He noted the draft focuses the restriction in B3 zoning and would prevent replacement of stores that close: "if they go out of business or if they close they would not be permitted to come back to open back up."
Staff said the code change is authorized by state law and that at least 15 Virginia localities have adopted similar rules. The draft also contemplates handling some requests through the special‑use permit process so the planning commission and council could assess mitigation on a case‑by‑case basis.
Why it matters: proponents say the buffer is intended to reduce youth exposure by keeping outlets away from locations where people under 21 congregate. Opponents at future hearings could raise questions about commercial impacts, legal definitions and whether the 25%/15% thresholds are administrable.
Next steps: council opened the hearing, heard the staff report from Mr. Dietrich and the planning commission adjourned its part of the joint hearing; staff said the ordinance will return to the planning commission for a recommendation and come back to council for ordinance readings.
The public hearing record will remain open until the planning commission and council take further action.
Planning staff member Mr. Dietrich said the ordinance would classify establishments that derive 25% or more of sales (or 15% of display space) from specified products — including tobacco, vaping devices, certain hemp-derived food products and kratom — and bar new outlets within 1,000 feet of another recreational-substance retail store, a public library, school, playground, park or daycare.
"No recreational substance retail use may be established within 1,000 ft of any other recreational use retail establishment," Mr. Dietrich said, explaining the buffer and showing a map of existing stores and 1,000‑foot buffers in the B3 general business district. He noted the draft focuses the restriction in B3 zoning and would prevent replacement of stores that close: "if they go out of business or if they close they would not be permitted to come back to open back up."
Staff said the code change is authorized by state law and that at least 15 Virginia localities have adopted similar rules. The draft also contemplates handling some requests through the special‑use permit process so the planning commission and council could assess mitigation on a case‑by‑case basis.
Why it matters: proponents say the buffer is intended to reduce youth exposure by keeping outlets away from locations where people under 21 congregate. Opponents at future hearings could raise questions about commercial impacts, legal definitions and whether the 25%/15% thresholds are administrable.
Next steps: council opened the hearing, heard the staff report from Mr. Dietrich and the planning commission adjourned its part of the joint hearing; staff said the ordinance will return to the planning commission for a recommendation and come back to council for ordinance readings.
The public hearing record will remain open until the planning commission and council take further action.
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