Sparta Board of Aldermen approved a new fee for zoning compliance letters during its meeting on Thursday to address an influx of requests from local businesses. Mayor Jerry Lowery said the city has seen a significant increase in requests because of state requirements for specific businesses. Codes Officials said the state recently mandated that smoke shops must provide a zoning letter or a certificate of occupancy to renew their licenses. Lowery said the zoning letter serves as a necessary alternative to a certificate of occupancy for older structures. “It just says that your business is in the right zoned area for this type business,” Lowery said.