Temecula, CA Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- City license required
- Yes, per location, in addition to state license
- Renewal deadline
- Expires every January 31st
- First violation settlement
- $1,000 payment, 1-day sales stop
- Revocation trigger
- 4+ violations within 60 months
- Post-revocation bar
- 5 years before new license eligible
Summary
Temecula requires every tobacco retailer to hold a city license renewed each January 31, on top of the state Board of Equalization license. A first violation can pull the license for at least 10 days; four violations in five years mean revocation.
It is unlawful for any person to act as a tobacco retailer without first obtaining and maintaining a valid tobacco retailer's license pursuant to this chapter for each location at which that activity is to occur.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4862229; v11 updated 2026-04-14).
Full Breakdown
040(A) to act as a tobacco retailer without first obtaining and maintaining a valid city tobacco retailer's license for each location. 070(A) sets the license term to expire every January 31, with renewal applications due at least 30 days before expiration. 080 requires the license be displayed prominently, bars self-service displays, and requires clerks to check ID for any buyer who looks under 27. 090 folds any violation of a local, state, or federal tobacco law, sign law, or age-of-sale law into a license violation monitored by the chief of police.
100 lays out an escalating suspension and revocation schedule: after a hearing, one violation at a location within 60 months draws a suspension of at least 10 days, two violations at least 30 days, and three violations at least 90 days; the license is revoked outright if violations are serious or four or more occur within 60 months, and a revoked retailer cannot reapply for five years. 100(A). 100(D).
Violations & Fines
Acting as a tobacco retailer without a valid city license violates Section 5.24.040(A). The chief of police monitors compliance and may refer license violations to a revocation hearing before an independent hearing officer under Section 5.24.100(B), with appeal to the city council. Settlement of a first violation costs at least $1,000 and a mandatory one-day sales suspension; a second costs at least $5,000 and 10 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must a Temecula tobacco retailer renew its license?
What happens after a second tobacco license violation in Temecula?
Can a revoked tobacco retailer just reopen under a new owner?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Temecula
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