Tobacco Retail Sales
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An annual license is required to sell tobacco products as defined in Washington County Tobacco Ordinance #216 (PDF).
The local regulation is automatically assigned to the city or township of where the retail establishment is located. However, some cities or townships may choose to delegate this authority to Washington County.
Cities and townships under the Washington County's jurisdiction include:
- Afton
- Baytown Township
- Birchwood
- Denmark Township
- Grant
- Grey Cloud Township
- Lake Elmo
- Lakeland Shores
- Mahtomedi
- May Township
- Pine Springs
- St. Mary's Point
- Stillwater Township
- West Lakeland Township
- Willernie
If your business is not located in one of these cities or townships, please contact the city clerk of your establishment's location for licensing information.
Type of license
Annual year-round license
A tobacco retail establishment that is open and selling tobacco for more than seven (7 months) in a calendar year. Licenses are valid until the end of the calendar year from the date of issue. The cost of a 2026 year-round tobacco license is $344.00.
Seasonal license
A tobacco retail establishment that is selling tobacco products for seven (7) months or less is eligible for a seasonal license. Licenses are valid until the end of the calendar year. The cost of a 2026 seasonal tobacco license is $249.00.
Apply for a license
- Fill out the: tobacco license application (PDF).
- Mail your application to:
Washington County Public Health and Environment
14949 62nd Street N.
P.O. Box 6
Stillwater, MN 55082
Or, email to: phe@co.washington.mn.us. - Upon receipt of the application and fee, a PHE staff member will call you to arrange an appointment for a pre-licensing inspection of your business within 7 business days. You will be issued a license when your tobacco retail establishment is in full compliance with Washington County Tobacco Ordinance #216 (PDF).
Notify Washington County within 30 days of intent to open a tobacco retail establishment.
All licenses issued are valid only on the premises for which the license was issued and only for the person to whom the license was issued.
All tobacco licenses issued by Washington County are non-transferable.
If you sell or change ownership of the licensed tobacco retail establishment, the new owner will need to apply for and receive their license before they begin to sell tobacco products.
The renewal of your license will need to be completed at the end of the calendar year.
- Early November: Business owners will receive an annual renewal application for licensed tobacco retail establishments by the first week in November of each year.
- December 31: Submit the completed renewal application by December 31.
Failure to renew your application on time will result in late fees and possible cease operation orders.
Compliance checks
In accordance with Section 8 of Washington County Tobacco Ordinance #216 (PDF), Washington County's Public Health and Environment department partners with Washington County Sheriff’s Office to conduct annual compliance checks to verify that no sales are made to underage buyers. An underage buyer between 17-20 years of age, that is supervised by law enforcement, will enter the licensed premise to attempt to purchase licensed products.
Penalties for failing a compliance check will result in the following fines:
- Clerk: $50 fine for selling to an underage buyer.
- Tobacco retail establishment:
- 1st Offense: $300 fine.
- 2nd Offense (within 36 months): $600 fine.
- 3rd Offense (within 36 months): $1,000 fine and license suspension.
- 4th Offense (within 36 months): License revocation.
Rules
It is the responsibility of the licensed tobacco retail establishment to follow all rules within Washington County Tobacco Ordinance #216 (PDF). Key rules include:
- No Sales to Underage Buyers: Tobacco products cannot be sold to anyone under the age of 21.
- Minimum Clerk Age: Employees selling tobacco products must be at least 18 years old.
- No Smoking Indoors: Smoking, including smoking for the purpose of sampling of licensed product is prohibited within the indoor area of any tobacco retail establishment. This includes using electronic devices such as vapes.
- No Sampling: No licensee or their agent shall distribute samples of any Licensed Product free of charge or at a nominal cost. The distribution of licensed products as a free donation is prohibited.
- No Vending Machine Sales: Tobacco products cannot be sold through vending machines.
- No Delivery Sales: All sales of licensed products must occur in person.
Note: Any tobacco retail establishment within Washington County that is also registered as a hemp retailer, needs to comply with Washington County Cannabis Ordinance #219 (PDF), section 6.13, battery-powered electronic devices take back program. If you are selling nicotine and/or cannabis electronic devices such as vapes, that have an embedded or inseparable battery, you will need to offer a take back program for used devices.
Age verification tools
- Tobacco Signage 2026 (PDF).
- Alcohol and Tobacco Signage 2026 (PDF).
- Check the ID (PDF): A tool for reading MN drivers licenses, forms of ID and tips about the sale of tobacco.
- Digital Age Verification Calendar: A free resource for retailers to help determine if a customer is old enough to legally purchase tobacco products.
- ID Checking Guide enables servers to make accurate, on-the-spot verification of driver’s licenses and ID cards.
Business resources
- MN Department of Revenue Cigarette and Tobacco Product Retailer’s License: Cigarette and tobacco licensing, distributors and subjobbers must be licensed by the Minnesota Department of Revenue before they can sell or distribute cigarette or tobacco products in Minnesota.
- Stop sales to minors training: Tobacco retailer training programs in Minnesota help businesses comply with state and federal laws that regulate tobacco sales. These programs can help retailers understand their responsibilities and reduce the risk of liability lawsuits.
- Protect Your Business Manual (PDF): A resource for businesses that sell alcohol and tobacco products in Washington County.
- Cannabis and Hemp Retail Sales: Information for cannabis and hemp retail sales licensing and resources in Washington County.
- Tobacco, Alcohol, Cannabis and Other Drugs: A webpage with resources on youth prevention, substance use help, and fact sheets.
Tennessen Warning/Privacy Notice
You are not legally required to provide the requested data and may refuse to do so. However, without the requested information Washington County may not be able to fully investigate the complaint. The information you are providing is voluntary with some questions being optional. The information being collected may be used to gather more information or for follow-up on a complaint investigation. All personal information provided will remain private. The information collected may be used by Washington County staff for the purposes of investigating the complaint, following up on the complaint and/or enforcement. Data collected may be shared upon court order or provided to the state or legislative auditor.
To report a concern or complaint about potential underage sales, violations of the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act, or other items about a Tobacco Establishment submit a complaint online or email Public Health and Environment staff.