Tobacco Tax & Licensing Guide - Long Beach

Taxation and Finance California 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 08, 2026 Flag of California

Long Beach, California regulates the retail sale of tobacco through business licensing and municipal ordinance authority. This guide explains what businesses should know about local tobacco excise tax requirements, licensing or permit steps, enforcement channels, and practical actions to comply. Where official Long Beach sources state details, this guide cites them directly so businesses can find the controlling rules and contact the responsible offices.[1]

Scope & Who Must Comply

Retailers selling cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vaping supplies, smokeless tobacco or other tobacco products in Long Beach should confirm whether they must hold a city business license and any tobacco-specific permit. The City of Long Beach Finance Department issues business licenses and handles related compliance for retail operations.[1]

Key Requirements

  • Obtain a City of Long Beach business license before opening or selling tobacco products; specific tobacco-only permit requirements are not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Pay any applicable municipal fees or excise taxes imposed by ordinance; exact local excise tax amounts are not specified on the cited municipal code landing page and must be confirmed with the Finance Department or the text of the ordinance.[2]
  • Comply with state cigarette and tobacco product tax reporting where applicable in addition to any local licensing obligations; consult state agencies for state-level tax obligations.
  • Display licenses and permits at the place of business as required by the City; display specifics are not specified on the cited page.[1]
Verify licensing and fee details with the Finance Department before selling tobacco.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of tobacco licensing and related municipal ordinance violations in Long Beach is administered by the City of Long Beach departments responsible for business licensing and code enforcement, and public health or environmental health where relevant. Inspection, complaint, and enforcement pathways are through the City of Long Beach Finance Department and the Long Beach Health Department; contact pages are listed in Resources. Specific penalty amounts, escalation schedules, and statutory fine figures are not provided on the cited municipal code landing page and must be read in the enacted ordinance text or confirmed with the issuing department.[2]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page; consult the ordinance text or Finance Department for exact amounts and per-day calculations.[2]
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence structure and ranges are not specified on the cited page.[2]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: may include administrative orders, license suspension or revocation, and court enforcement; exact procedures are not specified on the cited page.[2]
  • Enforcer and complaint pathway: City of Long Beach Finance Department for business license violations and Long Beach Health Department for health-related tobacco regulations. See Resources for contact pages.
  • Appeals and review: the cited municipal code landing page does not list appeal time limits or procedures; contact the issuing department for appeal deadlines and processes.[2]
If you receive a notice or fine, act immediately to preserve appeal rights and evidence.

Applications & Forms

The City of Long Beach issues business licenses through its Finance Department. The specific tobacco retailer application name, form number, fee schedule, and submission instructions are not specified on the cited landing page; applicants should contact the Finance Department or use the online business license portal linked in Resources to find the current application and fees.[1]

How-To

  1. Confirm whether your operation qualifies as a tobacco retailer under Long Beach rules by contacting the Finance Department or reviewing the municipal code.
  2. Complete and submit the City of Long Beach business license application and any tobacco-specific permit forms found on the city website or portal.
  3. Pay required fees and any applicable excise taxes at the time of application or per billing instructions from the city.
  4. Maintain records of purchases, invoices, and license displays, and respond promptly to inspections or notices from city enforcement.

FAQ

Do I need a separate tobacco retailer permit in Long Beach?
The City requires a business license for retailers; whether a separate tobacco-specific permit is required is not specified on the cited City business license landing page, so contact the Finance Department for confirmation.[1]
What are the local tobacco excise tax rates?
Local excise tax amounts and structure are not specified on the cited municipal code landing page; consult the enacted ordinance text or the Finance Department for exact tax rates and effective dates.[2]
Where do I report illegal tobacco sales or underage sales?
Report suspected violations through the City of Long Beach complaint channels: Finance Department for licensing and Long Beach Health Department for health-related complaints. See Resources below.

Key Takeaways

  • Obtain a City of Long Beach business license before selling tobacco products.
  • Confirm local excise tax amounts and fee schedules with the Finance Department or ordinance text.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Long Beach - Business License (Finance Department)
  2. [2] Long Beach Municipal Code (Municode)

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data