Bloomington, IL Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- Before any retail tobacco sale (§ 41-102)
- Vape/e-cig coverage
- "Tobacco product" definition includes e-cigarettes
- Bond required
- $2,000 surety bond (§ 41-107)
- Minimum sale age
- 21, for tobacco, e-cigs, alt. nicotine
- Penalty range
- $250 to $2,000 per offense/day
- License cycle
- Renews by April 1, expires April 30
Summary
In the City of Bloomington, retailers must hold a City Clerk-issued license before selling tobacco at retail, and the chapter's tobacco product definition expressly reaches electronic cigarettes and alternative nicotine products. Licensees post a $2,000 surety bond, pay an annual fee tied to the City's May-to-April fiscal year, and face fines up to $2,000 per day for violations.
"Tobacco product" includes any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product, whether or not sold separately. "Tobacco product" does include an electronic cigarette and alternative nicotine product as defined in this section. ... It shall be unlawful to sell or offer for sale at retail in the City tobacco in any form without first having obtained a license as herein provided.
Full Breakdown
Bloomington City Code Chapter 41, Article I, requires anyone who wants to sell tobacco at retail in the City to first obtain a license from the City Clerk (§ 41-102). Applicants file on City Clerk forms, pay an application fee set in the Schedule of Fees, list every owner or officer with date of birth and ownership percentage, attach a copy of their State of Illinois retail tobacco license, and submit to a City inspection of the premises before the license issues (§ 41-103). The chapter's definitions section folds vape products into the licensed category: "tobacco product" is defined to include electronic cigarettes and alternative nicotine products, and separately defines "electronic cigarette" to cover vape pens, e-cigars, e-hookahs, and their cartridges and e-liquids (§ 41-101).
Every licensee must maintain a $2,000 penal bond with a state-licensed surety, filed with the City Clerk before the license is issued and conditioned on compliance with the chapter and all other City and state law (§ 41-107). The annual license fee is set in the Schedule of Fees, is not refunded on revocation or surrender, and renewals are due by April 1 each year; a late renewal draws a 10% late fee (§ 41-104). No person may sell, buy for, or furnish any tobacco product, electronic cigarette, or alternative nicotine product to anyone under 21, and no one under 21 may buy one (§ 41-105). The City Manager can revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a license after notice and hearing (§ 41-110).
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of Chapter 41, including selling tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or alternative nicotine products to a person under 21, is punishable by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $2,000 per offense, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense (§ 41-109). A licensee who fails to keep the required $2,000 bond in effect is also in violation and can face license sanctions (§ 41-107). The City Manager may additionally revoke, suspend, or deny renewal of the license after notice and hearing (§ 41-110).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bloomington's tobacco license cover vape and e-cigarette sales?
What does a Bloomington retail tobacco license application require?
Is a bond required to hold a Bloomington tobacco license?
What is the penalty for selling tobacco or vape products to a minor in Bloomington?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bloomington
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