The County Council passed a bill last week defining hookah lounges and vape shops, imposing restrictions on operating hours for certain late-night establishments, and penalizing violations.
Championed by Council Vice President Kate Stewart and Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz and Evan Glass, Expedited Bill 3-24, Late Night Establishments-Hours of Operation (PDF) aligns the operating hours of hookah lounges, smoke shops, and vape shops with those of establishments serving alcohol.
“Today we are advancing policy to improve both public safety and public health for our community,” Council Vice President Stewart said in a press release. “Over the course of the last year, we have met with residents and small business owners, especially those in close proximity to lounges that are operating between midnight and 7 a.m. This bill creates parity with other late-night establishments, such as bars and those serving alcohol, with a set a closing time.”
Council Enacts Legislation Setting Hours for Hookah Lounges and Vape Shops to Support Public Safety. 📰Read more: https://t.co/WRpP8y6zf2 pic.twitter.com/UGggmvsA4a
— Montgomery Council (@MoCoCouncilMD) April 2, 2024
Expedited Bill 3-24 is the latest measure to enhance late-night public safety in central business districts, including downtown Silver Spring. Other efforts include increased police presence, additional security cameras and lighting, and the new Drone as First Responder (DFR) Program.
Under the bill, these establishments can only allow patrons to smoke, vape, or use hookah pipes on Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., on Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m., and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. or 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. if the following day is a federal holiday.
“This is a challenge that is not going away,” Councilmember Albornoz said. “We don’t have the infrastructure in place to be able to carry out these types of activities and they are creating more problems than they are solving. Councilmember Stewart and her staff spent countless hours engaging numerous stakeholders who want to see their businesses thrive and their neighborhoods remain safe. Unlike late night public safety bills introduced in neighboring jurisdictions with much stricter requirements on hookah lounges, Bill 3-24 allows the lounges’ late-night operations to continue with minimal interruption. I am pleased to be a lead sponsor of Bill 3-24 along with Council Vice President Stewart and Councilmember Glass.”
In an effort to reduce crime and enhance public safety, hours of operation have been limited for all Hookah Lounges, Tobacco Shops and Vape Shops in Montgomery County.
For more information about Bill 3-24, use the QR code or visit https://t.co/T39s8QC5YC#MCPNews #MCPD pic.twitter.com/cbgRa6Jp5V
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) April 15, 2024
Owners who operate their establishments outside the permitted hours will face a Class A penalty. This includes a $500 fine for the initial offense and a $750 fine for repeated offenses; each day the violation occurs is considered a separate offense.
“Montgomery County’s downtown areas have seen nightlife flourish over the past decade, and it is our responsibility to ensure that patrons and visitors are able to safely enjoy it,” said Councilmember Glass. “By aligning the hours of late-night businesses throughout the County, we will be able to decrease the number of emergency service calls, reduce the burden on our police officers and increase community safety.”
Photo: © mehaniq41 – stock.adobe.com / Montgomery County Graphic