Summary

Council advances smoke shop rules

SunnyvaleMay 20, 20265 min read

At a glance

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The Council adopted a temporary moratorium on new smoke shops and moved forward with an ordinance to regulate nitrous oxide sales citywide, both approved 7-0.

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City Council

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TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyHousingUtilities

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What this means

The Council voted to pause new smoke shop openings while it studies longer-term rules. It also moved ahead with a new ordinance to control the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide, and directed staff to notify smoke shops, liquor stores, and gas stations about the new restrictions and the existing ban on flavored vape and tobacco products. For residents, this means tighter local enforcement around products linked to health and safety concerns.

Key decisions

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Approved the Downtown Parking Maintenance District preliminary engineer’s report and set a public hearing for June 16, 2026.
Approved a purchase agreement for aluminum sulfate for the Water Pollution Control Plant for $431,000.
Adopted a temporary moratorium on the establishment and operation of smoke shops citywide.
Introduced an ordinance to regulate the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide.
Directed staff to notify smoke shops, liquor stores, and gas stations about the new nitrous oxide rules and existing vape and tobacco restrictions.
Directed staff to return with materials to place Public Works Contracting, City Manager settlement authority, and Council Vacancies measures on the November 2026 ballot.
Received the informational report on City vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts.
Appointed members to several boards and commissions, including the Arts Commission, Board of Library Trustees, Heritage Preservation Commission, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Housing and Human Services Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Personnel Board, Planning Commission, and Sustainability Commission.

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Meeting information

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City Council

May 20, 2026, 2:00 AMOnline and Council Chambers, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086completed

Regular Meeting - 7 PM

Agenda

7 P.M. COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
SALUTE TO THE FLAG
ROLL CALL
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Affordable Housing Month
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
CONSENT CALENDAR
Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of April 21, 2026
Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of April 27, 2026 (Board and Commission Interviews)
Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of April 28, 2026 (Board and Commission Interviews)
Approve the List(s) of Claims and Bills Approved for Payment by the City Manager
Approve the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 Preliminary Engineer’s Report for the Downtown Parking Maintenance District, Adopt a Resolution of Intention to Levy and Collect an Assessment for the Downtown Parking Maintenance District for FY 2026/27, and Set the Date of June 16, 2026 for the Public Hearing on the Proposed Assessment
Authorize the Issuance of a Purchase Agreement to Chemtrade Chemicals US LLC in the Amount of $431,000 for Aluminum Sulfate (F26-430)
Authorize the Issuance of a Purchase Agreement to Univar Solutions USA, LLC in the Amount of $753,000 for Sodium Hypochlorite (F26-431)
Award of Contract in the Amount of $764,394.20 to Graham Contractors, Inc. for the Annual Slurry Seal 2026 Project, Finding of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Categorical Exemption Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) (PW26-11)
Authorize the Issuance of a Consultant Services Agreement With Mountain View Community Television (d.b.a. KMVT Community Television (KMVT)) in the Amount of $460,000 for Management of the Sunnyvale Government Access and Public Access Channels and Television Broadcasting Services (F26-361)
Approve a Services Agreement with Frederick Burton Johnson, dba Interstate Auto Sales for Automobile Broker Services in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $3,000,000 for a Three-Year Period and Authorize the City Manager to Execute up to two Additional One-Year Extensions, Subject to Budget Availability (F26-315)
Reject the Sole Proposal for Cellular Service Coverage Study (F26-214)
Adopt Ordinance No. 3253-26 to Amend Title 19.96 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code (Heritage Preservation) of Title 19 (Zoning) of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code Temporarily Excluding the Murphy Station Heritage Landmark District Located at the 100 Block of South Murphy Avenue and Surrounding Parcels that Make Up the Heritage Landmark District, A Historic Resource on the Local Historic Register, from Applicability of SB 79 Provisions, and Amending the Zoning Map to Add a Note Indication this Exclusion
PUBLIC HEARINGS/GENERAL BUSINESS
CONTINUED FROM MAY 5, 2026 Proposed Project: Adopt an Urgency Interim Ordinance Pursuant to Government Code Section 65858 Adopting a Temporary Moratorium on the Establishment and Operation of “Smoke Shops,” as Defined, and Introduce an Ordinance to Regulate the Sale and Distribution of Nitrous Oxide within the City of Sunnyvale. Location: Citywide File #: PLNG-2026-0232 Environmental Review: Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)), would not result in a significant impact. Staff: Rebecca Moon, (408) 730-2700, rmoon@sunnyvale.ca.gov
Receive Polling Results and Provide Direction on Which Charter Amendments to Place on the November 2026 Ballot
Public Hearing Pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3 to Receive a Report on City of Sunnyvale Vacancies, and Recruitment and Retention Efforts
Appoint Applicants to the Arts Commission, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Board of Library Trustees, Heritage Preservation Commission, Housing and Human Services Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Personnel Board, Planning Commission and Sustainability Commission
COUNCILMEMBERS REPORTS ON ACTIVITIES FROM INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
NON-AGENDA ITEMS AND COMMENTS
-Council
-City Manager
CLOSED SESSION
Public Comment
Convene to Closed Session
Closed Session Held Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION (Paragraph (1) of Subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9) Name of Case: 1230 Oakmead Parkway, LLC. v. City of Sunnyvale, Santa Clara County Superior Court Case Number: 25CV457580
Closed Session Report
INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS/ITEMS
Tentative Council Meeting Agenda Calendar
Board/Commission Meeting Minutes
Council Advocacy Letters
ADJOURNMENT
Public Participation Options
In person public comment:
Online participation:
Online public comment:
Written public comment:
Public review of items:
Planning a presentation for a City Council meeting?
Planning to provide materials to Council?
Language Access and Translation
Translation Link: https://bit.ly/TDDB-6886
Accessibility/Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notice
LEGAL NOTICES
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Council advances smoke shop rules

At a glance

Committees mentioned

Topics discussed

What this means

Key decisions

Timeline & follow-ups

Meeting information

City Council

Agenda

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