Putnam County, NY Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- License required since
- July 1, 2019
- Application fee
- $250
- License term
- 1 year maximum
- Issuing agency
- Putnam County Health Department
- First-violation penalty
- Civil fine up to $250
- Third-violation penalty
- Civil fine up to $1,000
Summary
Since July 1, 2019, Putnam County has required a separate Health Department e-cigarette retail license, on top of any state tobacco registration, before a business can sell e-cigarettes or vape products to consumers. The license costs $250 and is valid for one year.
Starting July 1, 2019, no person shall sell, offer for sale, or permit the sale of electronic aerosol delivery systems to consumers in the County of Putnam without a valid e-cigarette retail license issued by the Department. ... All e-cigarette retail licenses issued pursuant to this section are ... valid for no more than one year following the effective date of the e-cigarette retail license. ... Each application for an e-cigarette retail license shall be accompanied by a fee of $250.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 203, Article III, adopted to address rising youth e-cigarette use, requires the license from the Putnam County Health Department for anyone selling electronic aerosol delivery systems, e-liquids, cartridges, or related components at a fixed retail location; wholesalers who sell only to retailers, and retailers who already hold a New York State tobacco retail dealer certificate under Article 13-F of the Public Health Law and comply with the county's separate tobacco licensing article, are exempt. Applications go to the Department in writing with the $250 fee, and the Department inspects the location before issuing the license, which is nontransferable, tied to one address, and must be displayed prominently for customers to see.
A separate license is needed for each selling location, and any ownership or address change requires a new application. The Department can refuse a license for incomplete or false information, unpaid fees, a prior revocation at the same address, or unpaid county fines, and no license issues to a seller without a fixed permanent location. Every retailer must also post a specific sign warning that sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and related paraphernalia to anyone under 21 is illegal.
Violations & Fines
Selling without a displayed, valid license violates § 203-31B. The Health Department, which enforces the article through periodic inspections under § 203-33, can suspend or revoke a license for violations of the article or related state and federal tobacco laws, and can additionally impose a civil penalty of up to $250 for a first violation, up to $500 for a second within two years, and up to $1,000 for a third or later violation within that period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do vape shops in Putnam County need a special license?
How long does the e-cigarette retail license last?
What happens if a store sells vapes without displaying the license?
Is a wholesaler required to get this license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Putnam County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Putnam County to another location·View the New York business licensing & operations overview
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