Dearborn, MI Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- Code of Ordinances § 12-326
- Annual license fee
- $500.00 per § 12-6 schedule
- Investigated by
- Chief of police before issuance
- Minor sale penalty
- Fine up to $500 for repeat offense
- Minor possession fine
- Up to $50.00 per violation
- Disqualifying record
- Felony conviction within past 7 years
- Posting duty
- Display license copy at business
Summary
Selling cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, vapor products or alternative nicotine products in Dearborn requires a $500 annual city license. The police chief investigates every applicant's character and criminal record before the city clerk will issue it, and license holders must display it and verify buyer age at sale.
All applications for a license hereunder shall be referred to the chief of police or their designee for investigation as to the reputation, character and police record of the applicant and whether such person is suitable to be entrusted with the sale of articles mentioned in section 12-326... The following shall be considered a disqualifying criminal act and result in the denial of an application for a license hereunder: Any of the following misdemeanor or felony offenses under any of the following statutes, as amended, for which less than seven years has elapsed since the date of conviction or the date of release from confinement for the conviction... Selling, giving, or furnishing a tobacco product, vapor product, or alternative nicotine product to a minor in violation of MCL 722.641... It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, furnish or give away, directly or indirectly, cigarettes, cigars, tobaccos or the component parts thereof without first obtaining a license.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-07: Code: Updated through: July 22, 2026 | Zoning: Updated through: July 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
00 set in the § 12-6 fee schedule. Before the clerk issues it, § 12-325 sends every application to the chief of police (or a designee) to investigate the applicant's reputation, character and police record. 641. Applications are also denied if the premises lacks a current certificate of occupancy or violates building, zoning, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, health or fire codes, if city departments report unpaid fees tied to the premises, or if the treasury division denies a property tax clearance. Section 12-328 separately bars selling, giving or furnishing these products to anyone under 21, including through a vending machine, and requires clerks to check a government ID if the buyer looks under 27, or run third-party age verification for internet sales. Licensees must post a copy of the licensing article in a conspicuous place at their business under § 12-329.
Violations & Fines
Selling to a minor under § 12-328(b) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $100.00 for a first offense and up to $500.00 for a second or subsequent offense. A retailer has an affirmative defense if it had a written age-verification policy in force and enforced it, but must file written notice of that defense at least 14 days before trial. Minors who purchase, possess or use these products face a fine up to $50.00 per violation plus escalating community service of 16, 32 and 48 hours for first, second and third violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dearborn require a license to sell tobacco or vape products?
Who reviews a Dearborn tobacco license application?
What disqualifies a Dearborn tobacco license applicant?
What happens if a Dearborn retailer sells tobacco to a minor?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dearborn
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