San Diego, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- For every tobacco/e-cig retailer
- Issuing authority
- Chief of Police (SDPD)
- Per-location rule
- Separate permit per fixed site
- Mobile sales
- Not permitted, fixed location only
- Transferable
- No, permits are non-transferable
Summary
San Diego requires every tobacco and e-cigarette retailer to hold a police permit from the Chief of Police before selling, with a separate permit issued for each fixed sales location under SDMC section 33.4503.
(a) It is unlawful for any person to operate as a tobacco retailer or as an electronic cigarette retailer without a police permit. (c) A tobacco retailer or electronic cigarette retailer shall obtain a separate police permit for each fixed location from which he or she engages in tobacco retailing or electronic cigarette retailing. (d) No police permit shall be issued for any person operating as a tobacco retailer or electronic cigarette retailer at any location other than a fixed location.
Full Breakdown
Under San Diego Municipal Code section 33.4503, operating as a tobacco retailer or electronic cigarette retailer without a police permit is unlawful, and a separate permit is required for each fixed location: no permit is issued for anything but a fixed storefront, so mobile or pop-up tobacco and vape sales are barred outright. The Chief of Police administers applications, which require photo ID, a Social Security number, and business history, and can deny a permit for recent convictions under the STAKE Act or similar tobacco-control laws. Permits are non-transferable and must be renewed with the business tax certificate.
Violations & Fines
Selling tobacco or vape products without a police permit, operating from an unpermitted or non-fixed location, or transferring a permit violates SDMC section 33.4503; the Chief of Police may deny, suspend, or revoke the permit under sections 33.0401-33.0406 and 33.4510.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to sell vape products in San Diego?
Can I sell tobacco or vape products from a cart or pop-up?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego
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Tobacco Retail License in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle tobacco retail license.