Overview
This license is for a retail business selling or offering for sale of flavored tobacco products within the city. Tobacco products includes electronic delivery devices containing or delivering nicotine or lobelia, whether natural or synthetic, intended for human consumption.
For code requirements, see recent amended tobacco ordinance, Ord 23-52 Sec. 324 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code.
For other requirements, general inquiries and information about the “Tobacco Products Shop” license, please contact DSI at phone number 651-266-8989, or email DSI-Licensing@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
Tobacco Products Shop license means a license issued to a person, firm, or corporation for an establishment that:
- Must derive at least ninety (90) percent of its revenue from the sale of licensed products;
- Must prohibit persons who are under the age of twenty-one (21) from entering the establishment;
- Must be accessible only through a door opening directly to the outside; and
- Must be staffed by at least one individual solely dedicated to the “Tobacco Products Shop” during all operating hours.
Licensing Requirements
The total number of Tobacco Products Shop licenses issued under this chapter will not exceed fifteen (15).
No tobacco license may be issued to a person, firm, or corporation for any establishment located within one-half mile (2,640 feet) of another establishment possessing a tobacco license. Said one-half mile being calculated and computed as the distance measured from the property line of the premises or building proposed as the location for the tobacco license to the property line of any other tobacco license.
- DSI Class R Licensing Application
- Signed lease or proof of ownership
- Floor plan
- Secretary of State – showing Status is Active and in Good Standing
- Tobacco Business Plan Addendum
- Minnesota Tax Identification Number
- Required fee
- Acknowledgement of Receipt of Tobacco Ordinance
Zoning Requirements
Per section 65.535 of the Saint Paul Legislative Code a "Tobacco products shop" does not include a tobacco department or section of any individual business establishment with any type of liquor, food, or restaurant license.
Standards and conditions:
(b) In the BC community business (converted) and T2 traditional neighborhood districts, a conditional use permit is required for tobacco products shops with a floor area greater than two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet. Application Requirements You must submit the following:
Inspections Requirements
Your application will be administratively reviewed by DSI Licensing and Zoning. You will be informed of any required inspections. The application must satisfy all regulatory requirements prior to issuance.
Licensed Tobacco Products Shop establishments are subject to inspections throughout the year for underage sales compliance, flavor and price compliance and other regulatory compliance.
Fees
See Fee Table for current License fees.
Expiration & Renewal
The Tobacco Products Shop License will expire one year from date of issuance and may be renewed annually.
Penalties: Sales to an Underage Buyer, see chapter 324.10 section (b) of the Saint Paul Legislative Code.
Presumptive penalties for licensees for violations. Adverse penalties for licensees for violations or convictions shall be presumed as follows:
| Type of Violation | 1st Occurrence | 2nd Occurrence | 3rd Occurrence | 4th Occurrence |
| (1) Sale to a person under twenty-one (21) years of age | $500.00 fine | $1,000.00 fine | $2,000.00 fine and 7-day suspension | Revocation |
Per Section 324.01(d) of the Legislative Code:
No license may be issued for a location has been revoked for any reason other than nonpayment of license fees within the past five (5) years.