District of North Vancouver Councillors Jordan Back and Lisa Muri will bring a motion at the June 1 meeting asking that staff explore options for restricting vape shops within the District — a response to growing concern from residents and council members about the retailers clustering in village centres.
If the motion passes, staff will return with specific regulatory options, though the District’s authority to act is narrower than many residents may expect.
Sign up for news alerts from the North Shore Daily Post
Vape shops are currently permitted as standard retail under the District’s zoning and business licensing bylaws across a range of commercial and mixed-use zones. According to the report, that puts them on equal footing with any other retailer — a point of frustration for some, particularly around at-grade locations in village centres. The former post office site in Edgemont Village, zoned General Commercial, has been cited as an example.
The District’s tools are limited by design. Ottawa regulates the manufacture, labelling, and promotion of vaping products; Victoria controls retail sales, including a minimum purchasing age of 19. According to the report, the District’s role is confined to land use and business licensing.
Public feedback has come through resident correspondence and informal community discussion. No formal engagement has been conducted.
Back and Muri will be asking staff to map out what the municipality can actually do within that constrained authority. According to the report, vape shops are legal and regulated businesses in Canada, and any District restrictions would need to stay within that framework. Council can support the motion, amend it, or reject it.
