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

040 makes it unlawful to act as a tobacco retailer without first obtaining and maintaining a valid license for each location, and violating any local, state or federal tobacco-related law is itself a violation of the license. 74 defines "electronic smoking device" to include e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vape pens and e-hookahs, so vape and e-cig retailers are tobacco retailers under this chapter and must license each store the same as a cigarette seller. 050 requires each proprietor's name and address, the business address, the retailer's tobacco license number issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, and disclosure of any local, state or federal tobacco-control violation within the preceding five years.

060 issues licenses for one year, denies an application that is incomplete, inaccurate, or where the applicant violated a tobacco-control law within the preceding 120 days, and requires a new license whenever the business location or proprietor changes. 070 requires the license to be posted in a publicly visible location. 100 sets an escalating suspension and revocation schedule: a first violation may draw up to a 30-day suspension, a second violation within five years of the first up to 90 days, and a third violation within that five-year window may result in revocation; during any suspension or revocation the retailer must remove all tobacco products and tobacco advertising from public view.

A licensee may appeal a suspension or revocation to a hearing officer by filing with the city's environmental health division manager at least 10 working days before the suspension or revocation date begins, and the appeal stays enforcement.