Chicago, IL Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- License required for
- Retail and wholesale tobacco dealers
- Retail license fee
- $500/location + $330 per register
- Wholesale license fee
- $550 per location
- Issuing agency
- Dept. of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection
Summary
Chicago requires a separate tobacco license for every retail location before selling cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or other tobacco products, with license fees set per location and cash register.
No person shall engage in any of the following business activities (for purposes of this section, "covered business activity") without first having obtained a tobacco license under this Chapter 4-64 authorizing the person to engage in such covered business activity: (i) wholesale tobacco dealer; or (ii) retail tobacco dealer. ... A separate tobacco license shall be required for each separate location at which any covered business activity is conducted or otherwise occurs.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-74: Current through Council Journal of June 17, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under Municipal Code of Chicago § 4-64-200, no person may act as a retail or wholesale tobacco dealer in Chicago without first obtaining a tobacco license from the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, and a wholesale and retail dealer cannot operate at the same licensed location. A separate license is required for each location where covered tobacco sales occur (§ 4-64-200(b)). Under the city's license fee schedule (§ 4-5-010), a retail tobacco dealer license costs $500 per location plus $330 per cash register; a wholesale dealer license costs $550. The Department of Public Health is authorized to inspect any licensed premises to check compliance with tobacco sale and adulteration laws.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a tobacco license, transferring a license, or violating chapter duties can trigger fines, denial of renewal, and license revocation under §§ 4-64-900 through 4-64-945.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate license for each Chicago store that sells tobacco?
How much does a Chicago retail tobacco dealer license cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chicago
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Tobacco Retail License in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle tobacco retail license.