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Department of Health Services

Tobacco/Nicotine Prevention
County Of Sonoma › Health and Human Services › Health Services › Divisions › Public Health › Tobacco Prevention › Tobacco Retailers
Tobacco/Nicotine Prevention

Tobacco Retail Licensing

A local tobacco retail license is required to sell tobacco products in most jurisdictions in Sonoma County. Impact Sonoma of the Department of Health Services administers tobacco retail licenses for

  • Unincorporated Sonoma County
  • Petaluma
  • Santa Rosa
  • Windsor

Attention Santa Rosa Tobacco Retailers!

The City of Santa Rosa’s TRL goes into effect on January 1, 2025. Eligible Santa Rosa businesses have until January 31, 2025, to submit their application.

The City of Santa Rosa has contracted with the County of Sonoma Department of Health Services Impact Sonoma Tobacco-Nicotine Compliance Program to manage the application process and  conduct compliance visits. Impact Sonoma will review applications, process payments, and make one annual visit to each retailer to ensure compliance. 

How to Apply
Eligible tobacco retailers will receive a letter from City of Santa Rosa with a link to the TRL Initial Application. This will take you to an online application which includes the payment portal. Impact Sonoma Tobacco Retail Licensing staff will process applications.

Application Fees
The initial license will be issued for an 18-month period for a fee of $1,013, and is valid from January 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Thereafter, application for renewal will be annually on the fiscal year, from July 1 through June 30 for a fee of $631.   

Application Deadlines
Eligible applicants must submit their application and fee before January 31, 2025. After the application window is closed, all approved applicants will be mailed their license certificates. 

If you have any questions with the application process, please contact Impact Sonoma Tobacco Retail Licensing at impact.sonoma@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-4479.

TRL Application & Licensing FAQs

  1. Who is required to obtain a TRL License?
  2. Will the City of Santa Rosa authorize any new Tobacco Retail businesses and/or new TRL licenses? 
  3. Can I transfer my tobacco retail license if I sell my store?
  4. My business is located near a school and a park. Will I be eligible to apply for a tobacco retail license?
  5. I started selling tobacco products online during the pandemic. Are there any limitations for online sales?
  6. How often will my store be inspected for compliance?
  7. How should I be prepared for an inspection?
  8. What products are considered “smokeless tobacco”?
  9. What happens if I am not in compliance?
  10. If my tobacco retail license gets suspended, what does that mean?

Santa Rosa Tobacco Retail License (TRL) Ordinance

A Tobacco Retail License is required in Healdsburg, Sebastopol, and the City of Sonoma. Contact those cities directly with any questions about tobacco retail license eligibility and renewal. Currently, the cities of Cloverdale, Cotati and Rohnert Park do not require a Tobacco Retail License but have laws pertaining to the sale of tobacco products. Contact those City Planning Departments for specific requirements.

To confirm license eligibility, please contact Carley Moore, Tobacco Compliance & Enforcement at (707) 565-6680, or impact.sonoma@sonoma-county.org for more information.

See State, County & Local Regulations for information on the jurisdiction in which you plan to open your business

Chapter 6-20 REGULATION OF RETAIL TOBACCO SALES

Sebastopol seal

Sebastopol

Title 8, Health & Safety, Chapter 8.08 Sales and Distribution of Tobacco Products to Minors


Sonoma_City_125

Sonoma

Title 7 Health and Welfare, Chapter 7.25 Regulating the Manner of Sale of Tobacco Products

Town of Windsor logo

Windsor

TITLE III CHAPTER 11. - REGULATING THE SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND PARAPHERNALIA

California Tobacco Retailing Laws

Tobacco Control Laws that affect California Retail Businesses 2022
Source: California Department of Public Health.

CDTFA Sales of Cigarettes and Tobacco Products in California, License Requirements for Retailers
Source: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

California Tobacco Control Branch: California Prohibits Retailers from Selling Flavored Tobacco Products
Source: California Department of Public Health.

Source: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

STAKE (Stop Tobacco Access to Kids Enforcement) Act is an important piece of legislation that specifies who retailers can sell tobacco to. In the state of California, it is illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21 years. Training videos are available for a better understanding of the Act, and how to implement and adhere to the rules in your retail environment.

Training: Responsible Beverage Service
Source: Sonoma County Department of Health Services.