Carson, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- CMC §§ 63150.5.3, 63150.5.7
- Prerequisite
- Valid City business license
- Fee
- Set by Council resolution
- Look-back disclosure
- Felony tobacco convictions, 5 yrs
Summary
Carson tobacco retailers must apply to the Director for a City tobacco and electronic cigarette permit, hold a valid business license, and pay a fee set to recover permit administration and inspection costs.
A completed application for a tobacco and electronic cigarette permit (including the payment of all necessary fees) shall be submitted to the Director. The application shall be sought in the name of the person proposing to conduct retail tobacco sales and shall be signed by such person or, in the case of a business, by an authorized agent thereof. A valid City business license is also required before a tobacco and electronic cigarette permit may be issued. Each person applying for a tobacco and electronic cigarette permit shall be responsible for reviewing the conditions of conducting retail tobacco sales within the City and shall agree to abide by these conditions by signing the application under penalty of perjury. All applications shall be submitted on the form supplied by the Director and shall contain the following information:
1. The legal name, address, and telephone number of the applicant.
2. The business name, address and telephone number of the fixed location for which a tobacco and electronic cigarette permit is sought.
3. A statement whether or not the applicant has ever applied for and was denied or has been issued a tobacco and electronic cigarette permit from the City or any other jurisdiction which was revoked or suspended and the dates and circumstances surrounding the suspension and/or revocation.
4.
Full Breakdown
Carson Municipal Code § 63150.5.3 requires a completed application, filed under penalty of perjury with a valid City business license, disclosing the applicant's name and address, the business address, any prior tobacco-permit denial or revocation, and any felony conviction tied to tobacco sales within the past five years. The Director must issue the permit unless the application is incomplete, seeks authorization at an address with a suspended or revoked permit, or would violate any local, state or federal law (§ 63150.5.4). Under § 63150.5.7 the application fee is set by City Council resolution to recover the cost of issuing, renewing and enforcing the permit, including compliance inspections, and is nonrefundable even if the permit is denied.
Violations & Fines
Retailing tobacco or vape products without a current City tobacco/e-cig permit, submitting a false or incomplete application, or continuing to operate at a location with a suspended or revoked permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a business license enough to sell tobacco in Carson?
Is the Carson tobacco permit fee refundable?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carson
California rules heatmap·Compare Carson to another location·View the California business licensing & operations overview
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