Ann Arbor, MI Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum sale age
- 21 years old
- Sign required
- Yes, posted at retail counter
- Max penalty
- $500 fine
- Codified at
- City Code §§ 9:328b, 9:329, Ch. 118
Summary
Ann Arbor bars retailers from selling e-cigarettes to anyone under 21 and requires vape sellers to post a specific warning sign at the point of sale.
A person who sells electronic smoking devices at retail shall post a sign which includes the following statement: "Under City of Ann Arbor ordinance, this store is prohibited from selling or providing electronic smoking devices to any person under 21 years of age."
(d)The size, design, and typeface requirements for the sign required by subsections (b) and (c) shall be the same as for the sign required by subsection (a). (Ord. No. 53-90, § 1, 9-4-90; Ord. No. 33-99, § 1, 7-19-99; Ord. No. 16-17, § 3, 8-4-16)
9:330. - Reserved. Editor's note— Ord. No. 16-17, § 4, adopted Aug. 4, 2016, repealed § 9:330, which pertained to affirmative defense and derived from Ord. No. 53-90, § 1, adopted Sept. 4, 1990.
9:331. - Reserved. Editor's note— Ord. No. 16-17, § 5, adopted Aug. 4, 2016, repealed § 9:331, which pertained to affirmative defense and derived from Ord. No. 53-90, § 1, adopted Sept. 4, 1990.
9:332. - Reserved. Editor's note— Ord. No. 16-17, § 6, adopted Aug. 4, 2016, repealed § 9:332, which pertained to affirmative defense and derived from Ord. No. 53-90, § 1, adopted Sept. 4, 1990.
9:333. - Penalties. Violations of this chapter are punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00.
(Ord. No. 53-90, § 1, 9-4-90; Ord. No. 16-17, § 7, 8-4-16)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
Ann Arbor City Code § 9:328b(b) prohibits selling, giving, or furnishing any electronic smoking device to a person under 21. Retailers who sell e-cigarettes must additionally post a sign under § 9:329(c) stating the store is prohibited from selling or providing electronic smoking devices to anyone under 21, matching the size and typeface requirements of the state-mandated tobacco sign. Violations of Chapter 118 are enforced citywide against retailers, not just online or mail-order sellers.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 118, selling to an underage buyer or failing to post the required sign, is punishable by a fine of not more than $500 under § 9:333.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a vape shop sell to an 18-year-old in Ann Arbor?
Do Ann Arbor vape retailers have to post a warning sign?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ann Arbor
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