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Salt Lake County, UT Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

License required
before operating any retail tobacco/vape shop
Fee
same as general business license fee (§5.08.040)
Health permit
Salt Lake County Health Dept permit required first
State license
state tax commission tobacco sales license required
Location review
checked against zoning and state proximity rules
Penalty
Class B misdemeanor (§5.21.080)

Summary

Running a retail tobacco specialty business, including a vape or e-cig shop, in unincorporated Salt Lake County without a county license is unlawful under Code §5.21.020. The county also won't issue or renew that license until the retailer holds a Salt Lake County Health Department permit and a state tax commission tobacco sales license.

City-specific rules exist: Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, and Sandy have their own tobacco retail license rules that differ from Salt Lake County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

5.21.020 - License required. It is unlawful for any person to operate, conduct, carry on or maintain a retail tobacco specialty business without first obtaining from the county a license to operate a retail tobacco specialty business. ... 5.21.040 - Application and issuance restrictions. ...D.The county license office shall not recommend issuance of a business license or retail tobacco specialty business license to any applicant who does not meet the proximity requirements prescribed by state law unless state law provides an exemption.E.The county shall not issue or renew a license for a person to conduct business as a retail tobacco specialty business until the person provides the county with proof that the retail tobacco specialty business has:1.A valid permit for a retail tobacco specialty business issued by the Salt Lake County Health Department; and2.A valid license to sell tobacco products from the state tax commission. ... 5.21.080 - Penalties. Any violation of this chapter constitutes a Class B misdemeanor.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 49).

Full Breakdown

21 covers any 'retail tobacco specialty business,' defined by cross-reference to Utah Code §17-50-333, which reaches vape and e-cigarette retailers along with traditional tobacco shops. 040. 040, each applicant must identify the exact street, building and room number of the proposed location, and the license office checks it against county zoning ordinances and against the state's proximity requirements before the license official forwards the application to the mayor for final approval. Critically, subsection (E) blocks issuance or renewal outright until the applicant proves it holds both a valid Salt Lake County Health Department retail tobacco specialty permit and a valid state tax commission license to sell tobacco products; retailers already operating before July 1, 2018 had until January 1, 2019 to get that health permit under (F).

Subsection (G) directs the license office and Health Department to coordinate so no license issues to anyone who will sell tobacco products without the health permit already in hand. R. Part 1140, or violating Utah's controlled substances laws, with the license section working alongside local law enforcement to enforce it.

Violations & Fines

Selling tobacco or vape products without the county license, or without first securing the Health Department retail tobacco specialty permit and state tax commission license required by §5.21.040(E), blocks or voids the license and exposes the business to revocation or suspension under §5.21.070. Any violation of Chapter 5.21 is a Class B misdemeanor under §5.21.080, appealable through the mayor and county council process in §§5.02.140-5.02.180 and §5.21.070(C).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do vape shops need a special county license in Salt Lake County?
Yes. Vape and e-cigarette retailers fall under 'retail tobacco specialty business' as defined by Utah Code §17-50-333, and §5.21.020 makes it unlawful to operate one in the unincorporated county without first getting a license from the county.
What extra permits does the county require before issuing a tobacco or vape retail license?
Under §5.21.040(E), the county won't issue or renew the license until the business provides proof of a valid Salt Lake County Health Department retail tobacco specialty permit and a valid state tax commission license to sell tobacco products.
Are there location restrictions on where a tobacco or vape shop can open in the county?
Yes. The license office reviews every application against county zoning ordinances and against the proximity requirements set by state law, and §5.21.040(D) bars recommending a license to anyone who doesn't meet those state distance rules absent an exemption.
What's the penalty for running a tobacco or vape retail business without a county license?
Any violation of Chapter 5.21, including operating unlicensed, is a Class B misdemeanor under §5.21.080, and the county license section works with local law enforcement to enforce it, on top of the license being subject to suspension or revocation.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Salt Lake County

All Salt Lake County rules

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