What We Do
We inspect tobacco retail facilities in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. The District Surveillance and Enforcement Program conducts the inspections. The inspection program is designed to ensure that all permitted tobacco retailers adhere to the following guidelines:
- Tobacco retail facility maintains valid TRL and CDTFA licenses/permits
- The facility follows the STAKE Act age-of-sale signage guidelines
- There is no sale possession with the intent to sell any flavored tobacco products
- Cigarettes, little cigars, or cigarillos are sold in sealed packages with no less than 20 units
- There are no self-service tobacco displays
- There is no smoking in an enclosed space at the facility
- There is no sale of any tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21
- Pharmacies are not engaged in the sale of tobacco, tobacco products, or tobacco paraphernalia
When businesses follow the rules it helps keep the community healthy and safe.
Note: We do not distribute provisional permits and do
not
accept TRL applications in the field.
We inspect tobacco retail facilities in unincorporated Los Angeles County. Tobacco retail facilities located in the cities of Long Beach, Pasadena, and Vernon have separate environmental health departments.
A Los Angeles County Tobacco Retail License (TRL) is required for all tobacco retail facilities operating in unincorporated Los Angeles County:
- Los Angeles County Code § 11.35.030 requires all tobacco retailers (e.g., markets, liquor stores, gas stations, cigar shops, vape shops, cigar lounges and hookah lounges), that operate in unincorporated Los Angeles County to obtain a TRL before selling tobacco, tobacco products and/or tobacco paraphernalia. The TRL must be prominently displayed in a publicly visible location at the licensed premises.
- In addition, Los Angeles County Code § 7.83.030 requires all tobacco shops or smokers' lounges operating in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County must obtain a Los Angeles County Tobacco Shop business license before selling tobacco, tobacco products and/or tobacco paraphernalia. A Tobacco Shop is any retail business devoted exclusively or predominantly to the sale of tobacco, tobacco products, and tobacco paraphernalia, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, electronic cigarettes, vaping devices, and any components, parts, or accessories. To obtain a Tobacco Shop business license contact the Business Licensing Section of the Treasurer and Tax Collector's Office at (213) 974-2011 or businesslicense@ttc.lacounty.gov.
- To determine if your business is located in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, please visit Los Angeles County Enterprise GIS District Locator and enter your business address to see if it is located in an "unincorporated" area.
- Tobacco retail facilities are also required to obtain a California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) Permit to engage in the sale of tobacco products in California.
To apply for or ask questions about a Tobacco Retail License, please contact the Tobacco Control and Prevention Program at (213) 351-7890 or email tobacco1@ph.lacounty.gov.
For official inspection reports, contact the Tobacco Control and Prevention Program (TCPP) at (213) 351-7301. The TCPP program is located at Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 3530 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Monday - Friday 9AM-4PM.
Frequently Asked Questions - County of Los Angeles Tobacco Ordinance
On September 24, 2019 the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that created restrictions on retail sales of tobacco products and requiring a new Business License for facilities located in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. The law does not apply to personal possession or personal use of tobacco products. See Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Report a Problem
Complaints about tobacco retail facilities can be filed by calling Public Health at (888) 700-9995 or File a Complaint Online. We will not ask you about your immigration status and you can file a complaint anonymously. TCPP can only address violations in Los Angeles County. For all violations outside of the county, contact the local health department for more information.
You can report to Los Angeles County Public Health if the tobacco facility does not:
- Display their required signage, permits, and/or licenses
- Avoid the consumption of food or beverages on the premises
- Prevent loitering in or around the premises
- Abide by any cease or desist orders that requires the removal of all tobacco, tobacco products, and tobacco paraphernalia
- Have adequate exterior lighting
- Deter any action that would defy the Los Angeles County Tobacco Ordinance
Contact Us
Call the Tobacco Control and Prevention Program (TCPP) at (213) 351-7301 or email tobacco1@ph.lacounty.gov. Read more on Tobacco Control and Prevention Program website.