Minnetonka, MN Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- Licensing official
- Community development director
- Appeal
- Written request to the city clerk within 10 days
- Exclusive tobacco store cap
- Six, for new licenses after September 17, 2022
- School distance for exclusive stores
- At least 2,000 feet from a school property line
- Minimum sales age
- 21
- License term
- One year, expiring December 31
- First violation fine
- At least $300.00 for a licensee
Summary
In the City of Minnetonka, Minnesota (Hennepin County), selling or giving away any tobacco-related product at retail, vapes and e-cigarettes included, requires a city license under City Code § 625.010. The community development director decides each application, new exclusive tobacco store licenses are capped at six, and no license issues for a movable place of business.
No person shall, sell or offer to sell at retail, dispense, or give away in a retail setting any tobacco related product at any place in the city, without first obtaining a license from the city. ... 2. No license may be issued for the sale of tobacco-related products at a movable place of business. 3. A separate license is required for the sale of tobacco-related products at each place of business. 4. A license is not transferable from one person to another. 5. No new license may be issued to an exclusive tobacco store after September 17, 2022, if any of the following circumstances exist: (a) issuing the license would cause the total number of exclusive tobacco stores in the city to exceed six; (If more than six applications are received in a single year, priority will be given to establishments that were licensed as of September 17, 2022; or (b) the premises for which the application is being made is less than 2,000 feet away from the property line of a school; or (c) there is a licensed exclusive tobacco store located on the same property as the premises for which the application is being made.
Full Breakdown
Section 625.010 of the Minnetonka City Code makes it unlawful to sell or offer to sell at retail, dispense, or give away in a retail setting any tobacco related product anywhere in the city without first obtaining a license. Section 625.005 defines tobacco-related products to include tobacco, tobacco-related devices, electronic delivery devices and nicotine and lobelia delivery products, and the electronic delivery device definition names electronic cigarettes, electronic cigars, vape pens and tank systems.
Applications for a new license or a renewal go to the community development director on a city form (section 625.015). The director decides whether a license issues. An applicant can appeal to the City Council by written request to the city clerk within 10 days after the decision. A license can be denied, or revoked if mistakenly issued, when the applicant is under 18, has been convicted within the past five years of a tobacco-related violation, had a tobacco license revoked within the preceding twelve months, gave false or missing information, or is barred by other law. Fees are set in section 710, and licenses run one year and expire on December 31 (section 625.020).
Section 625.030 adds the structural limits. A separate license is needed for each place of business, licenses cannot be transferred from one person to another, and none issues for a movable place of business such as a kiosk or vehicle. After September 17, 2022, a new exclusive tobacco store license is refused if it would push the total above six, if the premises are less than 2,000 feet from a school property line, or if another licensed exclusive tobacco store sits on the same property. A sale or change in ownership does not block a successor license at the same location.
Every licensee must post the license conspicuously and post notice of the legal sales age (section 625.025), and must send a representative to all mandatory tobacco license training seminars the city conducts (section 625.035). The legal sales age is 21 (section 625.040).
Violations & Fines
Under section 625.055, a licensee or its employee who violates the section is charged an administrative fine of at least $300.00 for a first violation, at least $600.00 for a second at the same premises within 36 months, and at least $1,000.00 for a third or later. The third offense brings a license suspension of not less than seven days and can bring revocation. Other adults face a fine of at least $150.00, and section 625.060 allows misdemeanor prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a vape shop in Minnetonka need a tobacco license?
Can a food truck, kiosk or mobile cart sell tobacco or vapes?
How many exclusive tobacco stores can the city license?
What happens if a clerk sells to someone under 21?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minnetonka
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Tobacco Retail License in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Hennepin County handle tobacco retail license.