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Toronto · Specialty retail

Licences and permits to open a smoke shop or tobacconist in Toronto

We found two licences, permits and registrations that can apply when you open a smoke shop or tobacconist in Toronto, starting with the Smoke Shop licence. One of them applies only in certain situations, noted on each item.

Everything on this list is municipal, so the City of Toronto is your main point of contact. The published application-plus-licence total for the Smoke Shop licence is $788.33.

Requirements
2
Issuers
1
Provincial
0
Last verified
Oct 31, 2026

What you'll need

Last verified:

  1. 01Smoke Shop licence

    Municipal

    Issued by: City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards

    Smoke shops and businesses selling cigars, cigarettes or tobacco that are not otherwise licensed need this licence.

    Fees as published

    • Application fee: $242.82
    • Licence fee: $545.51
    • Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $788.33
    • Renewal fee: $384.88 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified June 3, 2026)
    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

  2. 02Vapour Product endorsement (if also selling vapes)

    If applicable Municipal

    Issued by: City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards

    Licensed businesses that also sell vapour products must add a vapour product endorsement via a Same Owner Add-On application.

    Fees as published

    • Administration fee of $ 70.39 (2024 fee), as published on toronto.ca
    View on toronto.ca — City of Toronto page(opens in a new tab)

    Last verified:

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm requirements with the municipality before opening.

FAQ

Smoke Shop / Tobacconist in Toronto: common questions

What licences do I need to open a smoke shop or tobacconist in Toronto?
Our list has two items: Smoke Shop licence and Vapour Product endorsement (if also selling vapes). Items marked "if" or "optional" apply only in certain situations — the notes explain when. Confirm with the City of Toronto before opening.
How much do the licences cost to open a smoke shop or tobacconist in Toronto?
Published fees: Smoke Shop licence: Application fee: $242.82; Licence fee: $545.51; Total fee (Application fee + Licence fee): $788.33; Renewal fee: $384.88 (as listed on toronto.ca, page modified June 3, 2026) Vapour Product endorsement (if also selling vapes): Administration fee of $ 70.39 (2024 fee), as published on toronto.ca. Fees change; check the linked page for the current amount.
Who issues these licences and permits?
City of Toronto — Municipal Licensing & Standards (Smoke Shop licence and Vapour Product endorsement (if also selling vapes)).
Do I need anything from the Province of Ontario?
The City of Toronto pages we reviewed don't list a provincial requirement for this type of business. Other registrations, such as registering a business name or a tax account, can still apply depending on how you set up.
How current is this information?
Each item was last checked against the linked page on October 31, 2026. Rules and fees change, so open the linked page and confirm with the issuer before you apply. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

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Next steps

Before you apply

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