San Francisco caps tobacco retail permits per district, prohibits new permits within 500 feet of schools, and bans all flavored tobacco sales including menthol under Health Code Article 19Q and Article 19R.
Health Code Article 19H requires every retailer selling tobacco to hold a Tobacco Sales Permit issued by the Department of Public Health, with an annual fee and density caps that prevent new permits in over-saturated supervisorial districts. New retailers cannot locate within 500 feet of a school. Article 19Q (Ord. 140-17) bans the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, and flavored vape liquids — a measure upheld by voters in Proposition E (2018) and survived industry court challenges. Inspectors conduct annual checks plus undercover youth-decoy operations. Permits are suspended or revoked for repeat violations.
Selling without a permit, selling flavored products, or sales near schools triggers permit suspension, fines up to $1,000 per violation, and permanent revocation after repeat offenses.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco regulates noise under Police Code Article 29 (Sections 2900-2920), administered by the Department of Public Health and enforced by SFPD. Quiet ...
San Francisco, CA
Fence height in San Francisco is regulated by Planning Code Section 136 (Permitted Obstructions in Required Setbacks, Yards, and Usable Open Space), administ...
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco's Planning Code permits residential lawn ornaments, statuary, and religious or political displays without permit so long as no structure exceed...
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco does not regulate residential inflatable holiday decorations by size or type. Standard Police Code Article 29 noise rules apply to motor blower...
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco has no ordinance restricting when residents may put up or take down holiday lights. Standard rules from Police Code Article 29 (noise) and Plan...
San Francisco, CA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in San Francisco require building permits whenever the project includes new electrical, plumbing, gas piping, or a fixed structure ...
See how San Francisco's tobacco retail license rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.