Hennepin County, MN Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Hennepin County Ordinance No. 21, § 4(A)
- Applies in
- Unorganized territory & non-licensing cities
- License term
- One calendar year
- Moveable businesses
- Cannot be licensed
Summary
Hennepin County requires any retailer selling tobacco, e-cigarettes or nicotine products to hold a county license first.
No person shall sell or offer to sell any Licensed Product without first having obtained a license to do so from the county.
Full Breakdown
Hennepin County's retail tobacco sales ordinance bars selling or offering to sell any Licensed Product, tobacco, tobacco-related devices, electronic delivery devices, or nicotine or lobelia products, without a county license. The ordinance applies in the unorganized territory and in any city or town that does not license and regulate these sales itself; retailers already licensed by their city do not need a second county license for the same location. Licenses run for one calendar year, are non-transferable, and moveable businesses like kiosks or vehicles cannot be licensed at all.
Violations & Fines
Selling licensed tobacco or nicotine products without a county license is grounds for license denial and can lead to citation and civil enforcement by the County Attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all tobacco retailers in Hennepin County need this license?
Can a food truck or kiosk get a Hennepin County tobacco license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hennepin County
Compare Hennepin County to another location·View the Minnesota business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.