Tobacco Retail License: Fairfield vs Vacaville
How do tobacco retail license rules compare between Fairfield, CA and Vacaville, CA?
Fairfield and Vacaville have similar restriction levels.
Fairfield, CA
Solano County
Fairfield has not adopted a local tobacco retail license ordinance separate from the state framework. Tobacco retailers in Fairfield must hold a Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer's License from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) under the California Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act of 2003 (Business & Professions Code §22970 et seq.), and must comply with California Senate Bill 793 (Health & Safety Code §104559.5) banning retail sale of most flavored tobacco products statewide. New 2024-2025 enforcement laws (AB 3218, SB 1230) prohibit online sale of flavored tobacco effective January 1, 2025.
View full Fairfield rules →Vacaville, CA
Solano County
Vacaville has not adopted a stand-alone municipal tobacco retail license ordinance separate from the city's general business-license framework under Title 5 of the Vacaville Municipal Code. Tobacco retailers must hold a California Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer's License issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) under the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Licensing Act of 2003 (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code Section 22971 et seq.), comply with the statewide flavored-tobacco sales ban codified by Senate Bill 793 (Cal. Health & Safety Code Section 104559.5), comply with vending-machine restrictions in Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 9.66 (Vending Machines - Cigarettes and Tobacco), and hold a Vacaville general business license under Title 5. Vacaville has not enacted local density caps, school buffers, or local enforcement penalties beyond the state framework.
View full Vacaville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fairfield | Vacaville |
|---|---|---|
| Local TRL Ordinance | None in Fairfield | - |
| State License | CDTFA Retailer License required | CDTFA Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer's License (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code Section 22971 et seq.) |
| Annual Fee | $265 (CDTFA, subject to adjustment) | - |
| Flavor Ban | SB 793 (HSC §104559.5) statewide | - |
| Online Flavor Sales | Banned eff. Jan. 1, 2025 (AB 3218) | - |
| Minimum Sale Age | 21 (federal Tobacco 21 + state) | - |
| Local Tobacco Retail License | - | None - Vacaville has not adopted a stand-alone TRL ordinance |
| Flavored Tobacco Ban | - | Cal. Health & Safety Code Section 104559.5 (SB 793; Prop 31, 2022) |
| AB 935 Enforcement | - | Civil penalties up to $250/violation, escalating for repeat offenders |
| Local Vending Machine Rule | - | VMC Chapter 9.66 (Vending Machines - Cigarettes and Tobacco) |
| Business License | - | Required under VMC Title 5 |
| Minimum Sales Age | - | 21 (federal Tobacco 21, 21 U.S.C. Section 387f; parallel state law) |
| Density Caps / School Buffers | - | None codified locally |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fairfield FAQ
Does Fairfield require a separate tobacco retail license?
No. Fairfield has not adopted a local tobacco retail license ordinance, so retailers operate under the statewide California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer's License under Business & Professions Code §22970 et seq. The annual state fee is $265 (subject to periodic adjustment). Retailers must also comply with the SB 793 flavor ban (Health & Safety Code §104559.5) and the federal Tobacco 21 age-of-sale law.
Can I sell flavored vapes in Fairfield?
Generally no. California Senate Bill 793 (Health & Safety Code §104559.5), in effect since December 21, 2022, prohibits the retail sale of most flavored tobacco products including flavored e-cigarettes, e-liquids, menthol cigarettes, and flavored cigarillos. Narrow exemptions exist for hookah tobacco sold at qualifying retail tobacco shops, premium cigars sold for $12 or more in tobacconist environments, and loose-leaf pipe tobacco. AB 3218 (effective January 1, 2025) also prohibits online sale of flavored tobacco products. Violations carry civil penalties up to $250 per violation plus possible CDTFA license action.
Vacaville FAQ
Does Vacaville have a city tobacco retail license?
No. Vacaville has not adopted a stand-alone municipal tobacco retail license ordinance. Tobacco retailers must hold the state Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer's License issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code Section 22971 et seq., and a general Vacaville business license under Title 5 of the Vacaville Municipal Code.
Can a Vacaville store sell flavored e-cigarettes or menthol cigarettes?
No. California Health & Safety Code Section 104559.5 (enacted by SB 793 and ratified by voters as Proposition 31 in 2022) prohibits the sale of most flavored tobacco products statewide, including flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars, and flavored smokeless tobacco. AB 935 (2023) added enforcement tools and civil penalties up to $250 per violation, escalating for repeat offenders.
Does Vacaville restrict tobacco vending machines?
Yes. Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 9.66 (Vending Machines - Cigarettes and Tobacco) restricts vending-machine placement to ensure minors do not have access. This layer is in addition to the federal Tobacco Control Act vending-machine restrictions and the state CDTFA licensing scheme.
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