Tacoma, WA Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)

It shall be unlawful for any retailer to sell or offer for sale cigarettes or any other tobacco products unless that retailer first obtains and maintains a valid license from the license authority for each location where such sales are conducted. Licenses must be renewed annually.

A. It shall be the responsibility of each licensee to ensure that the following requirements of licensing are fulfilled:

1. To conspicuously post and reasonably maintain appropriate signs notifying customers that identification is required to purchase tobacco products.

2. To conspicuously post and reasonably maintain appropriate signs in areas frequented by employees such as near time cards or in lunchrooms reminding them of the ordinance and sanctions thereunder.

3. Conspicuously post and reasonably maintain appropriate signs on or near the cash register(s) or comparable area(s) reminding employees to check identification before selling tobacco products if in any doubt as to the customer’s age.

4. Require each employee, as part of the application for employment process, to read the ordinance or a summary of the ordinance and sign a covenant that they understand and will uphold the ordinance.

5. Provide verbal instructions to each employer and require them to sign a covenant that verbal instructions have been received and understood.

6.