Tobacco

 

License Overview

A City of Chicago Tobacco License is required to sell any tobacco or electronic cigarette product or accessory. A Tobacco License is required for both retail and wholesale sales.

 

Related Licenses 

  • A Food license is required to prepare, store, or sell food.
  • A Filling Station License is required to operate a gas station.
  • A Liquor License is required to sell liquor.

 

Application Requirements 

  • A debt check will be conducted as part of the application process. All City debt must be resolved for the license to be issued.
  • A fingerprint-based background check will be conducted for all controlling persons as part of the application process.
  • A measurement will be conducted to determine whether the business location selected for the sale of tobacco is permissible based on codified distance restrictions. See Municipal Code of Chicago Chapter 4-64 for a complete list of distance restrictions.
  • If the application includes smoking on premises, the location must be in a one-story free-standing building. Additional parking requirements may apply.

 

Required Documents 

 

Application Steps 

  • Submit initial business information in person or online
  • Receive zoning approval from the City
  • You may request a pre-measurement to ensure that the location selected is allowed per tobacco distance requirements. You must request and pay for a pre-measurement for it to be conducted. The $250 pre-measurement fee is non-refundable and goes towards any final license cost. If no pre-measurement is requested, measurement will be conducted to verify the permissibility of the business location after final license payment, which is non-refundable.
  • Complete and submit a full license application.
  • Get fingerprinted for a fingerprint-based background check. Every owner, corporate officer, or any person who has a 25% or more interest in the business will be prompted to get fingerprinted.
  • Make payment for the license.
  • If no pre-measurement was requested per step 3, the measurement will be conducted at this point following full payment for the license. If a pre-measurement has already been conducted, no additional measurement is required.
  • Undergo a City debt check. All City debt must be resolved for the license to be issued.

For more information on license application steps, see the Business License Application Steps webpage. 

 

Cost  

Retail Tobacco Dealer:

$500 per location, plus $330 per cash register

$250 pre-measurement fee (non-refundable and goes towards final license payment)

Wholesale Tobacco Dealer:

$550 license fee

 

How to Apply 

In person: Visit the Small Business Center Visit Us webpage for wait times, location, and hours of operation.

Online: Visit the online business license application system.

 

Operational Requirements 

  • For a list of tobacco requirements, see the Tobacco Business Compliance Enforcement
  • Retail Tobacco Dealers in Chicago must purchase tobacco products only from a licensed City of Chicago Wholesale Tobacco Dealer.
  • Wholesale Tobacco Dealers may only make sales to licensed retailers, and must be licensed by the City of Chicago if making sales to any business requiring a City of Chicago Retail Tobacco Dealer license.
  • The City of Chicago tax stamp must be affixed to all cigarette packages.
  • Licensees must keep records of purchases and sales as required by Ordinance including keeping sales data by product on the percentage, dollar value, and number of units sold for each of the following products: loose tobacco, cigarettes, cigarillos, cigars, pipes, other smoking devices and accessories, hookahs and related products, electronic cigarettes, liquid nicotine products, and electronic cigarette accessories.
  • The sale of tobacco products and accessories is prohibited to anyone under 21 years of age.
  • Employees under the age of 21 are prohibited from engaging in the sale, service, or delivery of tobacco products
  • Post all required signage at the place of business, including the Other Tobacco Products sign and the Sales to Minors sign.

 

Renewal Requirements  

A Tobacco License is valid for one year and must be renewed prior to expiration. For renewal information, see the Renewal page.

 

Resources 

For questions, call 312-74-GOBIZ (744-6249) or 312.744.1944, or email businesslicense@cityofchicago.org

Tobacco Seller Rules
Industry Notice, February 11, 2023
Tobacco Retailer Webinar
Warning Sign for Sales to Minors
Warning Sign for Other Tobacco Products