Cambridge, MA Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required from
- Inspectional Services Department
- Renewal date
- Annually on July 1
- Per-location rule
- Separate permit needed for each address
- First-offense fine
- $100, rising to $300 by third offense
- Suspension trigger
- 7 days after 2 violations in 24 months
Summary
Selling tobacco products anywhere in Cambridge requires a tobacco sales permit from the Inspectional Services Department under Section 8.28.030(C). Permits are renewed every July 1, a separate permit is required for each location, and the fee is set by the Commissioner of Inspectional Services rather than fixed in the ordinance itself.
C.Tobacco sales permit.1.No person shall sell tobacco products within the City without first obtaining a tobacco sales permit issued by the inspectional services department. ... 4.The fee for a tobacco sales permit shall be determined by the Commissioner of inspectional services. All such permits shall be renewed annually on July 1.5.A separate permit is needed for each location.6.Each tobacco sales permit shall be displayed on the premises in a conspicuous place.
Full Breakdown
030(C) of the Municipal Code bars anyone from selling tobacco products in Cambridge without first obtaining a tobacco sales permit from the Inspectional Services Department. c. 28. Each applicant must sign a statement declaring they have read those instructions and take responsibility for training every employee who will handle tobacco sales. 030(C)(4) leaves it to the Commissioner of Inspectional Services to set, and every permit must be renewed annually on July 1. 030(C)(6). The permitting scheme sits inside a broader chapter that also requires point-of-sale age-verification by photo ID for anyone who appears under twenty-six, bans self-service tobacco displays and vending machines, and bans sale of loose cigarettes or packs under twenty cigarettes, all enforced through the same Inspectional Services permit.
Violations & Fines
A permit holder who lets prohibited sales occur faces escalating fines under Section 8.28.040(A): one hundred dollars for a first offense, two hundred for a second, and three hundred dollars for a third or later offense within twenty-four months. Two violations in twenty-four months trigger a seven-day permit suspension, a third triggers thirty days, and unpaid fines after twenty-one days can lead to revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special permit to sell tobacco in Cambridge?
If I run two Cambridge locations, do I need two permits?
What happens if my Cambridge tobacco permit is suspended?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cambridge
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Tobacco Retail License in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle tobacco retail license.