District of Columbia Statewide Rule
Washington DC Vape and Tobacco Retail License Required
Key Facts
- License required
- Yes, before any sale
- Annual fee
- $15 per establishment
- Covers vapes
- Yes, as tobacco product
- Enforcing agency
- DLCP
- Minimum buyer age
- 21
Summary
Selling vapes in DC requires a District tobacco retailer's license before any product is offered or displayed. Vapor products count as "other tobacco product," so e-cigarette and vape sellers must be licensed at each retail location, at $15 per year per establishment.
No person shall manufacture for sale, keep for sale, offer for sale, display for sale in vending machines, or sell cigarettes or other tobacco product in the District without having first obtained a license... A retailer's license shall authorize the licensee to keep for sale, offer for sale, and sell cigarettes or other tobacco product to consumers in original packages from the place or places designated therein.
Full Breakdown
D.C. Official Code § 47-2404(a) bars anyone from keeping, offering, displaying, or selling cigarettes or "other tobacco product" in the District without first obtaining a license. Section 47-2401 defines "other tobacco product" to include vapor products, so electronic smoking devices fall squarely within the licensing requirement. A retailer's license authorizes sales to consumers in original packages only from the designated premises, and the annual fee is $15 per retail establishment. The Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) issues these endorsements and enforces DC's parallel bans on flavored tobacco and self-service vape displays outside tobacco specialty stores.
Violations & Penalties
Keeping, offering, displaying, or selling vapor products without a valid DC retailer's license is unlawful under § 47-2404(a) and is enforced by DLCP, which can deny, suspend, or revoke the basic business license and impose fines for unlicensed tobacco sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to sell vapes in Washington DC?
How much is a DC tobacco retailer's license?
Can I sell flavored vapes in DC?
Sources
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