Covered Product - any tobacco product, electronic smoking device, or any other product regulated by the New York State Public Health Law, known as the Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act.

State License - a valid New York State Department of Taxation and Finance certificate of registration for the sale of a covered product.

The Tobacco Retail License is a City-issued license that is required for any business in the City of Syracuse selling covered product. The purpose of the license is to ensure the public health, safety, and welfare of city residents by regulating the location of retailers and to stop the sale of all tobacco products and electronic smoking devices to minors.

Yes. Any business selling covered product in the City of Syracuse must obtain the Tobacco Retail License from the City, even if they have a State License.

The Tobacco Retail License is for businesses that sell covered product located in a building. The applicant must be the actual State License holder and must be the entity offering the covered product for sale.

The license does not apply to wholesale dealers who sell products to retail dealers for the purpose of resale.

The Tobacco Retail License must be renewed annually. The license is valid for one year from the date of issuance.

There is a $250 non-refundable fee due at the time of application, regardless of your eligibility or a failed inspection. Please review the requirements for application as well as the reasons you could be denied this license before applying.

1. You owe outstanding taxes, payments in lieu of taxes, fees, fines, or any other charges to the City of Syracuse at the time of your application.
2. You have outstanding fines and/or violations with the Onondaga County Health Department.
3. Your place of business is owned or operated out of a premise that is declared to be a public nuisance.
4. You as the tenant or property owner are not compliant with other City laws, ordinances, and regulations; or you are in violation of any federal or state statutes, rules, and regulations at the time of application.
5. The information in the application was incomplete, inaccurate, false, or misleading.
6. The fee for the application was not paid.
7. You fail to schedule and allow an inspection 30 days after you submit your application, or you fail your inspection.
8. You had a Tobacco Retail License that was revoked in the last 5 years.
9. The address that your business operates from previously had a Tobacco Retail License that was revoked in the last 3 years (this could be dismissed if you can demonstrate that you were not the owner at the time of revocation and have no connection to the prior License holder).
10. If you have been found guilty by the court of law or any administrative body for violating any federal, state, or local law pertaining to covered products.
11. If you have been convicted of a felony in the 5 years, or a misdemeanor in the 2 years, immediately preceding the date of your application.
12. If you are in violation of any other condition or requirement outlined in the 2023 Tobacco Retail License(PDF, 5MB).

If you fail to obtain a license within 120 days of receiving notice from the City or you fail to reapply for a license on an annual basis, and you continue to sell tobacco products, you will be notified by mail that you are in violation of the local law. You will have 15 days upon receipt of your letter to correct the violation. If you continue to operate in violation beyond the 15 days, your business is subject to immediate closure by the Division of Code Enforcement, and you could be subject to a penalty fee up to $10,000.

Yes. Once you obtain your license, you are required to display it in your place of business in a location that is readily visible to customers and inspectors at all times.