Anchorage, AK Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- License fee
- $75 first location
- Added locations
- $10 each
- Expires
- December 31 annually
- Issuing office
- Municipality finance dept
- Also required
- State tobacco endorsement
Summary
Anchorage requires every cigarette and tobacco product seller to hold a municipal dealer license before making a single sale, on top of the state license.
No person may sell, purchase, possess or acquire cigarettes and/or other tobacco products in the municipality as a manufacturer, bonded distributor, cigarette distributor, other tobacco products distributor, direct-buying retailer, cigarette retailer, other tobacco products retailer, or buyer without a proper and current license issued under this chapter.
B. The department, upon proper application and payment of the fee, shall issue a license to the applicant. A copy of the applicant's current license required under AS 43.50.010—43.50.390 shall accompany the application. The application shall include the following information:
1. The applicant's name and physical address of business;
2. The name under which the cigarette and/or other tobacco products business will be conducted;
3. The applicant's cigarette and/or other tobacco products business categories as a manufacturer, bonded distributor, cigarette distributor, other tobacco products distributor, direct-buying retailer, cigarette retailer, other tobacco products retailer, or buyer;
4. In the case of a business with vending machines, the number of vending machines which will be operated and their locations; and 5. Other information required on the department's application form.
C.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5010260; v11 updated 2026-09-01).
Full Breakdown
Under AMC 12.40.035, no manufacturer, distributor, direct-buying retailer, vending machine operator, or retailer may sell, purchase, possess, or acquire cigarettes or other tobacco products in the municipality without a current license from the finance department, issued under Chapter 12.40. The application must list the business name, address, and license category, and a copy of the applicant's state tobacco-endorsed business license must accompany it. AMC 12.40.040 sets the fee at $75 for the first location and $10 for each additional location; buyers pay no fee. Licenses expire December 31 each year and a separate license is required per location.
Violations & Fines
Selling without a license, or continuing to sell after suspension/revocation, violates AMC 12.40.035 and 12.40.080C; the department can suspend or revoke a license for any violation of Chapter 12.40, and unlawful shipping/transport of exempt product under 12.40.125 carries a civil fine of up to $5,000 per violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Anchorage require its own tobacco license beyond the state's?
How much does an Anchorage tobacco dealer license cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Anchorage
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