Wichita, KS Business Licensing & Operations: Tobacco Retail License (2026)
Key Facts
- License required
- City Licensing, before selling
- Business license fee
- $260 per year
- Vending machine license
- $15/machine per year
- License term
- Expires Dec. 31 yearly
- Minimum age to hold license
- 21 years old
Summary
Wichita treats e-cigarettes and vape devices as tobacco products, so any retailer selling them needs a $260/year City Licensing tobacco products license before opening for business.
It is unlawful for any person to:
a.Business License. Engage in the operation of a business selling, excluding selling by vending machine, tobacco products, at one or more locations within the city, unless such person has procured from City Licensing a license to engage in such business at each such location.b.Vending Machine License. Engage in the operation of a business of selling tobacco products from one or more vending machines unless such person has procured from City Licensing a license for each such vending machine and one business license as required by subsection (a).c.A license issued under this section is non-assignable and non-transferable. Each license issued under this section shall expire on December 31st of the year in which issued. (Ord. No. 42-423 § 2; Ord. No. 50-602, § 2, 10-17-17; Ord. No. 52-051, § 5, 3-21-23)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 52-051, § 5, adopted Mar. 21, 2023, amended the title of § 7.60.020 to read as herein set out. The former § 7.60.020 title pertained to permit required—nontransferable—expiration date.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35).
Full Breakdown
City Code Chapter 7.60 defines "tobacco products" to include electronic vaping devices, e-cigarettes, e-cigars, e-pipes, vape pens and e-hookahs, along with any liquids or components sold for them. Selling these without a City Licensing tobacco products license is unlawful. The license costs $260/year, is non-transferable, and expires every December 31. Vending-machine sales need a separate $15/year machine license on top of the business license. Applicants must be 21 or older and the premises must meet the city's health, housing, fire and zoning codes.
Violations & Fines
Selling tobacco or vape products without a license, or other Chapter 7.60 violations, is a misdemeanor: $200-$1,000 fine and/or up to 6 months jail; licenses can also be suspended or revoked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wichita's tobacco license cover vape shops?
How much does a Wichita vape retail license cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wichita
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