{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-47-2404","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 47-2404","heading":"Tobacco permits.","body":"(a)\nNo person shall manufacture for sale, keep for sale, offer for sale, display for sale in vending machines, or sell cigarettes or other tobacco product in the District without having first obtained a permit or permits for such purpose or purposes from the Mayor.\n\n(b)\nThe Mayor may issue the following types of permits, upon the filing of an application as prescribed by the Mayor:\n(1)\nA wholesaler’s permit shall authorize the permittee to manufacture, purchase, or otherwise acquire cigarettes or other tobacco product and to keep for sale, offer for sale, and sell such cigarettes or other tobacco product in original packages to consumers, to persons holding a permit under this chapter as a wholesaler, retailer, or vending machine operator, and to persons for resale in other states or jurisdictions; provided, that with respect to sales made to persons for resale in other states or jurisdictions, such persons must be licensed under the laws of such other state or jurisdiction to engage in the business of selling cigarettes or other tobacco product therein. A wholesaler’s permit shall authorize the permittee to manufacture, keep for sale, offer for sale, and sell cigarettes or other tobacco product only at the place or places designated therein. Except as provided by the Mayor by regulation, a separate permit shall be required for each place where cigarettes or other tobacco product are to be manufactured, kept for sale, offered for sale, or sold. The Mayor may provide, by regulation, for the issuance of a wholesaler’s permit for a place located outside of the District. The annual fee for a wholesaler’s permit shall be $125 for each place designated therein.\n(2)\nA retailer’s permit shall authorize the permittee to keep for sale, offer for sale, and sell cigarettes or other tobacco product to consumers in original packages from the place or places designated therein. A retailer’s permit shall not authorize the permittee to sell cigarettes or other tobacco product to other permittees for resale. Except as provided by the Mayor by regulation, a separate permit shall be required for each retail establishment. The annual fee for a retailer’s permit shall be $75 for each retail establishment.\n(3)\nVending machine operator’s permits restricted.\n(A)\nNo permit shall be issued for the sale of cigarettes or other tobacco product in an original package from or by means of a vending machine, except in the case of a tavern or nightclub licensed pursuant to § 25-113, an establishment that restricts admittance to persons 21 years of age or older, or a restaurant licensed pursuant to § 25-113.\n(B)\nAny cigarette or other tobacco product vending machine that is located in a tavern, nightclub, establishment, or restaurant in accordance with subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall be located in an area that is in the immediate vicinity, plain view, and control of a responsible employee, so that any tobacco purchase is readily observable by an employee. The cigarette or other tobacco product vending machine shall not be located in a similar unmonitored area.\n(C)\nThe annual fee for a vending machine operator’s permit shall be $75 for each vending machine.\n(D)\nAny cigarette or other tobacco product vending machine that is located in a tavern, nightclub, establishment, or restaurant in accordance with subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall display the warning sign required by § 22-1320(e)(1).\n(E)\nAny cigarette or other tobacco product vending machine that is located in a tavern, nightclub, establishment, or restaurant in accordance with subparagraph (A) of this paragraph shall not contain any non-tobacco product, other than matches.\n\n(c)\nThe Mayor shall keep a complete record of applications made for permits under this section and of the actions taken thereon.\n\n(d)\nThe Mayor may, by regulation, increase the permit fees imposed by subsection (b) of this section and may establish fees for duplicate permits.\n\n(e)\nPermits issued under this section shall remain in effect for such periods of time as may be prescribed by the Mayor by regulation, not exceeding 1 year from the effective date of such permits, or until such permits are suspended or revoked by the Mayor under subsection (f) of this section.\n\n(f)\nThe Mayor may, after a hearing, suspend or revoke any permit issued under this section for any violation of this chapter or of the regulations promulgated under this chapter.\n\n(g)\nThe permits required by this section shall be in addition to the licenses required by any other law or regulation.\n\n(h)\nThe Mayor may suspend any permits issued under this section to any person convicted of a first or second violation of § 22-1320. The Mayor shall revoke the permits for a third or subsequent violation.\n\n(h-1)\nThe Mayor may, after a hearing, suspend any permits issued under this section for a first or second violation of [§ 7-1721.08(a)]. The Mayor shall, after a hearing, revoke any permits issued under this section for a third or subsequent violation of [§ 7-1721.08(a)].\n\n(i)\n[Repealed].","path":["Title 47. Taxation, Licensing, Permits, Assessments, and Fees. [Enacted title]","Chapter 24. Tobacco Tax."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/47-2404","current_through":"2026-10-22 (D.C. Law 26-190)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-10-26T05:48:18Z","sha256":"5b8701bacc5f3eddd635efffad27b08e904c1d7e47f2cc8b26a272e9a5220e5d","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-47-2403","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-47-2404.01"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}