(A) License requirement. No person shall engage in the retail sale or distribution of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or alternative nicotine products, including the operation of vending machines that dispense tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or alternative nicotine products, in unincorporated Lake County unless the person is authorized to do so by a current and valid license issued pursuant to this chapter, or is an employee or agent of a person who has been issued a license pursuant to this chapter. A separate license must be obtained for each establishment maintained by the retailer. The license to sell or distribute tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or alternative nicotine products shall be displayed prominently at each establishment for which it is issued.
(B) License administration. The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center shall administer the licensing of retailers of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or alternative nicotine products and the Health Officer shall have authority to approve or deny all applications for licenses and to suspend or revoke existing licenses in accordance with § 177.07. A retailer whose license application is denied shall have the right to make a written request to the Health Officer for a hearing before the Board of Health Hearings Committee pursuant to §§ 176.15 through 176.17.
(C) License application. An application for a tobacco retailer’s license shall be filed in writing with the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center on a form provided by the Health Officer. Each application for a license shall contain the full name, address, and telephone number of the applicant, the owner, and the business, firm, limited liability company, corporation, or other legal entity engaged in the retail sale of tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, or alternative nicotine products; the name and address of the proposed point of sale; the name, address, and telephone number of the person authorized to receive notices issued pursuant to this chapter; and any other information as may be reasonably required by the Health Officer.
(D) License term. Every retailer’s license shall be operative and valid, unless first terminated, suspended, or revoked, for a term of one year commencing on June 1 and terminating on May 31 of the following year. Application for renewal shall be made at least 30 days before the expiration of the then-current license term.
(E) License fee. The annual license fee for a retailer shall be $100 per license. If a licensee operates vending machines, for vending machines in the same building, the licensee shall pay the annual license fee of $100 for the first vending machine license and $25 for each additional vending machine license. A 100% late fee will be charged to retailers who do not pay their annual permit fees before the expiration of the then-current license term.
(F) License transfer prohibited. The transfer of any license issued hereunder from one person to another or from one location to another is prohibited. Any such purported transfer is void and shall cause the then-current license to automatically expire and terminate.
(1977 Code, § 2:1-18) (Ord. [Bd of Health Ord., Art. XVIII] passed 11-14-2000; Ord. 17-0891, passed 9-12-2017; Ord. 20-0312, passed 3-10-2020)