Sterling Heights, MI Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- Display rule
- Behind counter or locked case
- Access
- Employee-assisted only
- Fine
- $500 civil infraction
- Related rule
- Child-resistant nicotine containers, § 35-98
Summary
Retailers in Sterling Heights must keep vapor and alternative nicotine products behind the counter or in a locked case: self-service displays are illegal, and violators face a $500 civil infraction fine.
A person who sells vapor products or alternative nicotine products at retail shall not display for sale a vapor product unless the vapor product is stored for sale behind a counter in an area accessible only to employees or within a locked case so that a customer wanting access to the vapor product must ask an employee for assistance. A person who violates this section is responsible for a municipal civil infraction punishable by a fine of $500. (Ord. 509, § 18, 5-19-26) Statutory reference: Youth Tobacco Act, see M.C.L. 722.642c ** 35-100. RESERVED. ** ***** ARTICLE VII. ATTEMPTS; AIDING AND ABETTING; CONSPIRACY *****
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-46: Local legislation current through Ord. 509, passed 5-19-26).
Full Breakdown
Article VI of the Sterling Heights Code, the city's Tobacco Products and Vapor Products Ordinance, requires any retailer selling vapor products or alternative nicotine products to keep them out of self-service reach. Under § 35-99, products must sit behind a staffed counter or inside a locked case so a customer has to ask an employee for access: open shelving or countertop displays don't comply. A companion section, § 35-98, separately requires liquid nicotine containers sold in the city to meet the federal child-resistant packaging standard at 16 CFR 1700.15(b).
Violations & Fines
Displaying vapor products for self-service access, instead of behind a counter or in a locked case, is a municipal civil infraction carrying a $500 fine per violation under § 35-99.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Sterling Heights store display vapes on an open shelf?
What's the penalty for an illegal open vape display?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sterling Heights
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