Philadelphia, PA Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- per fixed location, non-transferable
- Term
- expires December 31 yearly
- Renewal deadline
- 60 days before expiration
- Application/renewal fee
- $50 each
- Minimum applicant age
- 18 years old
Summary
Philadelphia requires every tobacco retailer to hold a Tobacco Retailer Permit, one per fixed location, renewed annually by December 31.
No person shall act as a Tobacco Retailer without a current Tobacco Retailer Permit for each location where the person engages in Tobacco Retailing. Acting as a Tobacco Retailer without a permit is hereby declared a nuisance as a matter of law... A Tobacco Retailer Permit is valid for one person at one location and may not be transferred from one person to another or from one location to another.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 Code: Electronic version of The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter is current through August 19, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Philadelphia Code § 9-631 makes it unlawful to act as a Tobacco Retailer -- selling cigarettes, cigars, hookah tobacco, snuff, or unapproved nicotine delivery products -- without a current Tobacco Retailer Permit for each location. The permit is location-specific and non-transferable: a new one is required whenever ownership or location changes. Applicants must be at least 18, hold a valid PA Department of Revenue cigarette retailer license and a City commercial activity license, and the retail location must be fixed, not mobile. Permits run through December 31 each year, and renewal applications are due at least 60 days before expiration or both a new-application fee and renewal fee apply. The Board of Health can revoke a permit for false statements, missing licenses, tax delinquency, or violating the Section, with re-application bans of 10 to 60 days depending on how many revocations occurred within 36 months.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a permit is declared a nuisance as a matter of law; permit is revocable and re-issuance is barred for 10-60 days after revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one Philadelphia tobacco permit cover multiple stores?
What happens if I sell tobacco without the permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Philadelphia
Compare Philadelphia to another location·View the Pennsylvania business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.