East Baton Rouge Parish, LA Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)

Chapter 28 of Title 9 (Licensing and Regulation of Trades and Occupations) defines a "smoke/vape shop" as any retail establishment dedicating more than 20 percent of its stock in trade or floor area to tobacco, tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, or smoke/vape paraphernalia (Sec. 9:1600). Under Sec. 9:1601(a), smoke or vape shops, tobacco retailers, and their signage cannot locate within 500 feet of an educational institution, religious institution, public library, child day care facility, or public park; Sec. 9:1601(b) adds a separate 500-foot buffer between two smoke or vape shops.

The Department of Development measures both buffers from property line to property line in a straight line, ignoring intervening structures (Sec. 9:1601(c)). A shop lawfully operating before the ordinance's effective date but inside a buffer becomes a nonconforming business (Sec. 9:1601(d)), but that status is lost if the business closes for six months or more, or if ownership or controlling interest transfers; the next occupant must then meet the buffers outright (Sec. 9:1601(e)). Every shop must post a sign at each public entrance stating minors may not enter (Sec.

9:1602), and outdoor advertising for smoke or vape products is barred within 500 feet of a pre-K-12 school, library, day care, or park (Sec. 9:1603). Interior signage not visible from the right-of-way is exempt. Under Sec. 9:1604, shops must keep at least 50 percent of street-facing window and glass-door area free of signage or posters obstructing visibility. All of these requirements trace to Ordinance No. 19833, adopted April 22, 2026.