San Francisco Tobacco Sales Permit: San Francisco restaurant guide
SF Department of Public Health — Environmental Health Confirm with the city
What it is
A City permit required to sell any tobacco product; San Francisco bans flavored tobacco (including menthol) and the sale of nicotine vaping products entirely, and limits new permits by district.
When a restaurant needs it
Selling cigarettes, cigars or hookah tobacco; you may not sell flavored products or nicotine e-cigarettes at all.
How to apply
Apply to SFDPH Environmental Health after obtaining the CDTFA retailer's license; post the required 21+ and no-smoking signs at the register and entrance.
Documents you’ll need
- Business Account Number
- CDTFA Cigarette & Tobacco Products Retailer's License
- Site information
Good to know
SF caps tobacco permits per supervisorial district and restricts new permits near schools — in most neighborhoods no new permit is available; the DPH tobacco permit page could not be loaded to confirm the current cap and fee, so call Environmental Health at (415) 252-3800 before planning tobacco sales.
Official source
SF — restrictions on using and selling tobacco products
Answer a few questions about your space and get every permit in order, with a timeline, a cost range, walkthroughs, and every application filled in for you to sign with Open.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.