Yolo County, CA Tobacco & Vaping: Flavored Tobacco Bans (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 6-15.11(e)(1)
- Scope
- All flavored tobacco, incl. menthol
- Enforcer
- HHSA Tobacco Prevention Staff
- Inspection frequency
- At least once every 12 months
- First revocation lockout
- 10 days before new permit
- Third violation lockout
- 5 years, per § 6-15.15(a)(3)
Summary
Yolo County bans the sale of any flavored tobacco product at licensed retailers in the unincorporated area. Section 6-15.11(e)(1) makes it a violation for a licensee or its agents to sell, offer for sale, or exchange flavored tobacco for any consideration, no exceptions carved out for menthol or flavored vape liquid.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, it shall be a violation of this Chapter for any licensee or any of the licensee's agents or employees to sell, offer for sale, or exchange for any form of consideration: (1) Any Flavored Tobacco Product.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Supplement 2026 S-21 includes: Local legislation current through Ord. 1584, effective June 25, 2026).
Full Breakdown
11(e), it is a violation of Chapter 15 for any Tobacco Retailer licensee, or that licensee's agents or employees, to "sell, offer for sale, or exchange for any form of consideration" any Flavored Tobacco Product. 02(h) defines a Flavored Tobacco Product broadly as any tobacco product containing a constituent that imparts a characterizing flavor, whether from artificial or natural flavors or an herb or spice, expressly listing menthol, strawberry, grape, orange, clove, cinnamon, pineapple, vanilla, coconut, licorice, cocoa, chocolate, cherry, and coffee. 12, who must inspect every permitted retailer at least once every twelve months. The Yolo County Sheriff's Office and Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency both have authority to assist enforcement. 11(a)-(d)). 10.
Violations & Fines
A finding that a retailer sold flavored tobacco can revoke the Tobacco Retailer's Permit under § 6-15.13 after notice and a hearing before the Director. A first revocation at a location bars a new permit for at least 10 days, a second bars one for 90 days, and a third within any 60-month period bars a new permit for a much longer period under § 6-15.13(f). Selling flavored tobacco without a valid permit brings escalating ineligibility periods under § 6-15.15: 30 days, 90 days, then five years for a third violation, plus seizure and forfeiture of the flavored product. Each day of continued sale is a separate violation, and the District Attorney may prosecute as an infraction or misdemeanor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Yolo County's flavor ban cover menthol cigarettes?
Can a Yolo County retailer lose its tobacco permit for one flavored sale?
Who enforces the flavored tobacco ban in unincorporated Yolo County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yolo County
California rules heatmap·Compare Yolo County to another location·View the California tobacco & vaping overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.