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

Municipal Code Chapter 18, Article III requires a tobacco retailer's license for each fixed location selling or advertising tobacco products, defined in § 18-90 to include cigarettes, cigars, hookah tobacco, chewing tobacco, and electronic devices that deliver nicotine or vaporized liquids such as e-cigarettes and vape pens. Section 18-92 bars mobile or foot-based tobacco sales and flatly prohibits selling, offering, or possessing with intent to sell any flavored tobacco product, defined broadly to include menthol, fruit, candy, and other characterizing flavors under § 18-90(b)–(d). Applications go to the Chief of Police under § 18-93, must name every proprietor with a 10% or greater ownership or managerial interest, and require proof of a valid state tobacco retailer's license from the state Board of Equalization.

Licenses run one year, from April 1 to March 31, and must be renewed at least 30 days before expiration under § 18-95; a lapsed license can be reinstated only by paying the fee plus a 10% reinstatement surcharge and affirming no sales occurred during the lapse. Licenses are non-transferable between owners or locations under § 18-96, and prior violations stay attached to a location even after a sale unless the new owner proves an arm's-length transaction. Fees are set by council resolution on a cost-recovery basis under § 18-97, covering issuance, inspection, compliance checks, and prosecution.

The chief may deny, suspend, or revoke a license for false application information, selling to a suspended or ineligible location, or any tobacco-law violation within the preceding twelve months, per §§ 18-94 and 18-98.