Santa Clara Proposes Ban on Recreational Nitrous Oxide Sales

Santa Clara is advancing a proposal to ban recreational sales of nitrous oxide, commonly known as whippets, while exempting medical, dental, and culinary uses. City Council received an update on the plan, which would prohibit sale and distribution by smoke shops and similar retailers.

District 3 Councilmember Karen Hardy cited finding numerous empty canisters near Calabazas and a local high school as motivation for the ban. The proposal aligns closely with California’s Senate Bill 936, signed last September, but adds local enforcement capacity via code enforcement, police, and the city attorney’s office.

While some shops, like City Rock and Peace Pipe, currently don’t sell nitrous oxide and see little impact, others in the county have already restricted sales. San Jose banned recreational nitrous by November 2025, and Sunnyvale adopted a regulatory policy in June.

Violations could cost $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat violations within a year, with possible license or permit revocation. City staff plan direct outreach to license holders if the ban moves forward.