Tobacco Retail License

Tobacco Retail License Required for All Tobacco Retailers Operating in Unincorporated Los Angeles County - Application and Additional Resources

Los Angeles County Code §11.35.030 requires all tobacco retailers, tobacco shops and smokers' lounges (including cigar, hookah and vape lounges), in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County must obtain a Los Angeles County Tobacco Retail License (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.

To obtain a Los Angeles County TRL, complete the following forms:


Completed TRL forms and supporting documentation may be emailed to the Los Angeles County Tobacco Control and Prevention Program at tobacco1@ph.lacounty.gov.

Use the LA County District Locator to determine if your business is located in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County and enter your business address to see if it is located in an "unincorporated" area.

Additional Information and Resources

Los Angeles County Code §7.83.030 requires all tobacco shops and 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. 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.

The State of California requires that all tobacco retailers have a Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer License. You can get yours from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. NOTE: a California Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer License is required to obtain a Los Angeles County TRL. You need BOTH a valid State and LA County Tobacco Retailer License to sell tobacco, tobacco products and/or tobacco paraphernalia in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

Tobacco retailers, including tobacco shops and smokers’ lounges, may not sell and display tobacco, tobacco products, and tobacco paraphernalia until all applicable licenses are obtained and prominently displayed in publicly visible locations on the premises.

Important information for Tobacco Retailers, Tobacco Shops and Smokers’ Lounges (including cigar, hookah and vape lounges) operating in unincorporated Los Angeles County:


If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Los Angeles County Tobacco Control and Prevention Program at (213) 351-7890 or tobacco1@ph.lacounty.gov.

Notice to Tobacco Retailers Operating in Unincorporated Los Angeles County Regarding California’s New Unflavored Tobacco List

On December 31, 2025, the California Department of Justice published an Unflavored Tobacco List (UTL) that contains tobacco products that have been designated as unflavored and are therefore permitted to be sold in California, including unincorporated Los Angeles County (ULAC). Tobacco retailers operating in ULAC are permitted to sell tobacco products listed on the UTL. Tobacco products that are not listed on the UTL are deemed to be flavored and are not permitted to be sold. The UTL became effective on January 1, 2026.

The State's flavored tobacco law exempts certain types of tobacco products, (e.g., shisha/hookah tobacco, flavored premium cigars with a wholesale price of $12 or more, and flavored loose-leaf pipe tobacco). However, the County’s flavored tobacco ban prohibits the sale of all flavored tobacco products in ULAC, including those exempted by the State’s flavored tobacco law. Tobacco retailers operating in ULAC are not permitted to sell flavored tobacco products of any kind, including items that may have been exempted under State law.

Violation of federal, State, and County tobacco retailing laws, including the sale of flavored tobacco products, are subject to administrative citation and/or Tobacco Retail License (TRL) suspension. Repeated violations may lead to TRL revocation, pursuant to Los Angeles County Code § 11.35.100.

The UTL is available on the Department of Justice website at: https://utl.doj.ca.gov

Additional resources:

For more information, please email the Department of Public Health at: tobacco1@ph.lacounty.gov, or call: (213) 351-7890.

Required Signage for Tobacco Shops and Smokers' Lounges Operating in Unincorporated Los Angeles County

Pursuant to Los Angeles County Code §7.83 (Tobacco Shops), all tobacco shops and smokers' lounges operating in unincorporated Los Angeles County are required to post certain permenat signage. The required signage is available for download below. Tobacco Shops include, but are not limited to smoke shops, vape shops, hookah lounges and cigar lounges.

Tobacco Shop (required signage):


Smokers' Lounge (required signage):


Please be advised, Tobacco Shops and Smokers' Lounges must obtain all required state and county tobacco licenses before they can legally sell tobacco products and tobacco paraphernalia in Unincorporated Los Angeles County. The three required tobacco licenses include: 1) a Tobacco Shop Business License issued by the LA County Treasurer and Tax Collector, 2) a Tobacco Retail License issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and 3) a California Cigarette and Tobacco Products Retailer License issued by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. Please see the above post titled "Tobacco Retail License Required for All Tobacco Retailers Operating in Unincorporated Los Angeles County - Application and Additional Resources" for additional information.

For more information, please email the Department of Public Health at: tobacco1@ph.lacounty.gov, or call: (213) 351-7890.