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Environmental Health

Tobacco Permit Application Process

The Application Packet for the Sale of Tobacco Products includes the primary application form and other instructions and materials.

All applicants must first determine whether a business location qualifies for a tobacco sales permit by checking the interactive map at SF Planning. Certain exceptions may apply.

Complete and submit the following application requirements to the Department of Public Health, Tobacco & Smoking Program, 49 South Van Ness Ave., Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94103:

1. Tobacco Sales Permit Pre‐Application, Affidavit, and Planning Referral;
2. Application for the Sale of Tobacco Products
3. A Copy of the Business Registration Certificate from the San Francisco Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector or by contacting 311.
4. A Copy of the Retail Tobacco Products License which may be obtained from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (with a License Number) or by calling 1-800-400-7115.
5. Federal or state legal documentation disclosing Name(s) of all Owner(s), Principal Officer(s), trust beneficiaries, and Ownership Percentage(s) for each Person identified on the Application for the Establishment;
6. Disclosure of any date(s) that the Department suspended or revoked a SFDPH Permit to Operate a Retail Tobacco Establishment issued to any owner or officer disclosed on the application;
7. Non-refundable Application Fee: credit card, check, or money order in the amount shown on our current Fee Schedule -- Tobacco Sales Application Fee. Checks should be made out to SFDPH.
8. When applicable, non-refundable Planning Department Zoning Referral Fee;
9. A signed copy of the Declaration of Healthy and Safe Working Conditions document provided by the Department; and
10. Documentation of Direct Negotiations as set forth in Chapter 3, Section 2 of these Rules, when applying for an Exception under Article 19H.6

An application review is required at the front desk and incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Tobacco Permit Eligibility Exception Rules

The Director is authorized to issue a Tobacco Sales Permit on a one-time basis in the following limited circumstances. For specific details, please review the Rules and Regulations for Retail Tobacco Sales

(1) New Buyer of a Retail Food Store or Tobacco Shop

The current Tobacco Sales Permit Owner:

a) Was in business at the specific location from January 18, 2010, to January 18, 2015, and held the SFDPH Tobacco Sales Permit on January 18, 2015.,

b) Held the Tobacco Sales Permit five (5) consecutive years prior to the date of the New Buyer's application for a Tobacco Sales Permit,

c) Is in Direct Negotiations with the New Buyer, AND

d) Is connected to a Retail Food Market or Tobacco Shop.

 

(2) Subsequent Buyer of a Retail Food Store or Tobacco Shop.

A Retail Food Store Establishment or Tobacco Shop New Buyer held a valid Tobacco Sales Permit for at least ten (10) years.

 

(3) Child of Permittee.

A child of a Retail Food Store Establishment or Tobacco Shop Permittee may apply for a Tobacco Sales Permit for their parent's Establishment if their parent holds a Tobacco Sales Permit as of January 18, 2015. The child applying for a new Tobacco Sales Permit must have a 100% ownership interest in the Establishment.

 

(4) Death or Divorce.

A spouse or domestic partner may acquire the ownership from the Permittee of an Establishment through the death or divorce. The spouse or domestic partner applying for a new Tobacco Sales Permit must have a 100% ownership interest in the Establishment.

 

(5) New Buyer of a Tavern.

A Tavern Permittee since January 18, 2010, that seeks to demonstrate previous compliance with Section 1009.23(d) of Article 19F of SFHC (prohibition against smoking in enclosed areas).

 

(6) Subsequent Buyer of a Tavern.

A New Buyer of a Tavern held a valid Tobacco Sales Permit for at least ten (10) years.

 

(7) Seismic Retrofitting Relocation.

A Retail Food Store Establishment or Tobacco Shop Permittee as of January 18, 2015, which must relocate from their Establishment due to seismic retrofitting under Chapter 34B of the Building Code may apply for a Tobacco Sales Permit for their Establishment.

 

 

 

Making a Complaint

If you would like to make a complaint regarding the illegal sale of tobacco to minors or a related tobacco sales complaint, call 311.