Cigarette/Tobacco Permits

The Iowa Retail Cigarette/Tobacco Permit is required for selling cigarettes only, tobacco products only, or both cigarette and tobacco products at retail.

"Tobacco products only" retailers are those who do not sell cigarettes, but sell any other tobacco products such as cigars, little cigars, roll-your-own products, chewing tobaccos, and other kinds and forms of tobacco, prepared in such manner as to be suitable for chewing or smoking in a pipe or otherwise, or both for chewing and smoking.

Application Information 

The application for Iowa Retail Cigarette/Tobacco Permits is located on the Iowa Department of Revenue website.

The State of Iowa has lauched an online portal for Cigarette/Tobacco Permits, which can be accessed here.

Frequently asked questions and more information, including a paper copy of the application, is available here.

The City Clerk's Office encourages applicants to utilize the State of Iowa's online portal. However, paper copies of the application may still submitted to the City Clerk's Office, 515 Clark Ave. Once approved, permits will be issued and sent to the retailer. The Retail Cigarette Permit must be displayed near the retailer's cigarette sales displays.

Cigarette/Tobacco Permits are valid for one year, from July 1 through June 30. New permits are effective from the date the application is approved through June 30. The annual fee is $100.00. If a permit is applied for after July 1, the amount due is prorated on a quarterly basis.

Renewals

Permit holders will be sent reminder emails and applications for renewal each year in mid-May. Renewed permits are sent out prior to July 1st.

Refunds 

When an establishment goes out of business or no longer wishes to sell cigarettes, either the vending company or the owner may request a refund. The original Retail Cigarette Permit must be turned in before a refund may be made. Refunds are prorated on a quarterly basis as follows:

Change of Location 

When a business moves to a new location a new permit is needed. It may be typed, free of charge, in exchange for the old permit, as long as the business is still within the City of Ames. If the business is moving to a new jurisdiction, a refund is made and a new permit must purchased in the new jurisdiction.

Special Note Regarding Sales from Vending Machines 

Iowa law states that "cigarettes or tobacco products shall not be sold through a vending machine unless the vending machine is located in a place where the retailer ensures that no person younger than eighteen years of age is present or permitted to enter at any time." Any retailer who intends to use vending machines for retail sales must include with the application a notarized Certification Form, verifying that minors are not allowed to enter the area where the vending machine is.