Inglewood, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)

Section 8-111(a) makes it unlawful to 'engage in or operate as a tobacco retailer' in Inglewood without first obtaining and maintaining a license for each address where sales occur; unlicensed retailing is separately declared a public nuisance. Section 8-111(b) bars advertising that could lead a customer to believe tobacco is sold at an unlicensed location, and § 8-111(c) prohibits selling tobacco 'from other than a fixed location,' including sales by persons on foot or from vehicles.

Applicants file with the responsible City department under § 8-112, disclosing ownership, a designated agent for notices, and any prior violations within the previous six years, and must first show a valid state tobacco retailer license under § 8-112(b). The City sets the annual license fee by resolution under § 8-113 to recover licensing, inspection and enforcement costs. Section 8-114 lets the City deny a license where suspension proceedings are pending, where a proprietor was convicted of a tobacco law violation within six months, or where a fine is outstanding; licenses must be posted in public view and are void if transferred to a new owner or address.

Licenses run through December 31 and must be renewed, with the fee paid, at least thirty days before expiration under § 8-115. Section 8-116 requires clerks to check ID for any buyer who 'appears to be under the age of twenty-seven,' and § 8-117 lets the Police Department, Business License Division or Code Enforcement Division run random compliance stings using minor decoys aged fifteen to seventeen.