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Tobacco Seller's License

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📌 Tobacco Seller’s License Overview

Any business in Tempe that sells tobacco, vape, tobacco paraphernalia or nicotine products must obtain an annual Tobacco Seller’s License (TSL).
A separate license is required for each business location.

Includes:
Tobacco shops • Vape shops • Hookah lounges • Grocery stores • Gas stations • Convenience stores • Bars • Restaurants • Kiosks • Cigar retailers

🚫 Age Requirement

  • Tobacco products cannot be sold to anyone under 21.

  • ID must be checked for anyone who appears under 30.

✔️ What Counts as a Tobacco Product?

Any product that is smoked, vaped, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, or ingested, including:

  • Cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco

  • Chew, snuff, snus

  • Vape liquids & e-cigarettes (with or without nicotine)

  • Hookah, water pipes, rolling papers, filters

  • Components, accessories, and paraphernalia

Not included: Medical Marijuana Act items or Smart & Safe Act products.

📝 License Requirements

You must upload the following during your application:

1️⃣ Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) License Number

From AZTaxes.gov.

2️⃣ Proof of Arizona Retail Tobacco Training (ARTT)

Training provider:
Lenartz Consulting
Diane M. Williams, CPM
📞 602-538-8508
📧 info@lenartzconsulting.com

3️⃣ Age-21 Compliance Affidavit

Affirming no products will be sold to persons under 21.

4️⃣ Annual Fee

  • $300/year

  • $225 (pro-rated) for new licenses approved July 1 or later

💳 Accepted Payments:
✔ Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express (by phone or in person)
✔ Check (by mail or in person)
❌ Cash not accepted

👉 Apply Online

tempe.gov/licenseportal

📍 After Your License Is Approved

✔️ Display Requirements

You must display:

  • Your Tobacco Seller’s License (visible to customers)

  • A required “Under 21” sign (4"x6", 60-pt ALL CAPS) within 6 feet of tobacco products

    NO PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 21 MAY BE SOLD TOBACCO PRODUCTS, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICES.
    Printable sign available here.

✔️ Annual Renewal

  • Licenses expire December 31

  • Must renew before expiration

  • Late renewals incur a $100 late fee

✔️ Compliance Checks

Unannounced inspections may be conducted by:

  • Tempe Tax & License

  • Tempe Police

  • Community Development

  • Arizona Attorney General’s Office

🚫 What if I sell tobacco without a license?

You will be ineligible for a license for 3 years, and subject to enforcement penalties.

📏 Zoning Rules

Tobacco sales establishments must be 1,320 ft (¼ mile) away from:

  • Public schools

  • Private schools

  • Charter schools

(Does not apply to instructional/vocational schools.)

🏛️ Is a Use Permit required?

Required if:

  • Onsite consumption of tobacco products

  • 51%+ of sales are tobacco products

Contact Tempe Planning: 480-350-4311

Hookah & smoking establishments must also:

  • Be fully separated floor-to-ceiling

  • Have independent ventilation

🧯 Can tobacco be sold from vending machines?

No. Vending machine sales in public places are prohibited.

⚠️ Penalties for Selling to Under 21

Within a 36-month period:

  1. 1st Violation: $500 + ARTT training for offending employee

  2. 2nd Violation: $750 + 7-day sales suspension

  3. 3rd Violation: $1,000 + 30-day sales suspension

  4. 4th Violation: $1,000 + license revocation

📣 How to file a complaint

Submit anonymous tips via Citizen Observer
or contact Tempe Police: 480-350-8311
Emergency: 911

📘 Tempe Code References

Tempe City Code: §16A-245 to §16A-256

📞 Need Help?

 Tempe Tax & License
📍 20 E. 6th Street, Third Floor, Tempe, AZ 85281
🕒 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., walk-ins until 4:30 p.m. (except City holidays)
📧 [license@tempe.gov]
📞 480-350-2955

🧠 Helpful Links