Montgomery County could restrict late-night business hours for hookah lounges and tobacco and vape shops, requiring them to close at 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends, if a new bill introduced in the council on Tuesday is passed.
The legislation is sponsored by Council Vice President Kate Stewart (D-Dist. 4) and councilmembers Gabe Albornoz (D-At-large) and Evan Glass (D-At-large).
Stewart said the bill is intended to align the late-night business hours of establishments that serve and sell tobacco and hookah with establishments that serve and sell alcohol. Under current county law, businesses that serve or sell alcohol must close by 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends, but there is no restriction on the hours of businesses that serve or sell tobacco.
“There has been an increase in calls for service [in downtown Silver Spring], particularly from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m., which has resulted in a drastic increase in the need for police presence in our central business districts at this time, and excess overtime expenditures,” Stewart said.
The bill builds off a law passed in May 2023 requiring county businesses open between 2 and 5 a.m. that sell alcohol or tobacco to develop late-night safety plans. That bill was a response to a rise in late-night crime in downtown Silver Spring and other areas throughout the county. According to a memorandum from County Executive Marc Elrich, many businesses have worked collaboratively with county police to enact safety measures, but others have been less cooperative. The law was enacted to ensure a uniform process for all late-night businesses.
“Residents who have lived in this community for years, even decades, no longer feel safe, and it was clear that we needed to take action,” Albornoz said. “I think it is more than appropriate for us to take what I think is very reasonable action to ensure the safety and security of all of our residents. This is something that they have been repeatedly asking for.”
Other jurisdictions, including Washington, D.C., have passed similar laws dictating the business hours of tobacco establishments align with the business hours of alcohol establishments. Some counties, including Prince George’s and Baltimore, have been more restrictive, requiring these businesses to close as early as 8 p.m.
“Our intent is to ensure that everyone who comes to our downtown areas to enjoy themselves can do so safely and get home safely,” Stewart said.
The bill is co-sponsored by Council President Andrew Friedson (D-Dist. 1) and councilmembers Dawn Luedtke (D-Dist. 7), Sidney Katz (D-Dist. 3), Natali Fani-González (D-Dist. 6) and Marilyn Balcombe (D-Dist. 2).
A public hearing on the legislation is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. March 5 in council chambers in Rockville. No vote has been scheduled.