Business Licensing & Operations in Erie, PA (2026)
2 verified business licensing & operations rules for Erie, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tobacco Retail License
Erie tobacco retailers are licensed primarily at the state level. Pennsylvania Act 112 of 2020 (codified at 18 Pa.C.S. §6305) raised the minimum sales age to 21 for all tobacco products including e-cigarettes and vapes, and the PA Department of Revenue issues the Cigarette Dealer License. Erie retailers must also hold a city Business Privilege License from the Erie City Treasurer; Erie has not enacted a separate municipal tobacco license.
Erie Tobacco Retail Licensing
Heavy RestrictionsSecondhand Dealers
Erie secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers are regulated primarily under Pennsylvania state law - the Pawnbrokers License Act (63 P.S. §281-1 et seq.) and the Precious Metals Sales Act (73 P.S. §1932 et seq.) - and must hold an Erie Business Privilege License. PA requires precious-metals dealers to register with the Pennsylvania State Police, keep transaction records for 4 years, and hold purchased items for at least 7 days before resale.