A license is required to sell tobacco, vapes and nicotine products to adults 21 and older.
Dakota County currently issues tobacco licenses in a township or unincorporated area of the county and in the following cities:
- Coates
- Empire
- Hampton
- Miesville
- Vermillion
For more information, please see 
County Ordinance 125 - Tobacco and Minnesota Statute 461.12.
License fee
Fee: $944 for a two-year license
Fees can be paid with cash, check payable to Dakota County, or credit card over the phone.
Term: The two-year license period runs from Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2027. Partial period licenses are pro-rated.
How to apply
- Print the License Application to Make Retail Sales of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products and fill it out.
- Print and fill out the:
- Gather the following application materials:
- Completed license application
- Completed license applicant information form
- Completed certificate of compliance with Minnesota Worker's Compensation form
- First time applicants: Please provide a copy of the training materials used to teach employees how to sell tobacco products.
- License fee
- Mail the application materials to:
Dakota County Public Services & Revenue
1590 Highway 55
Hastings, MN 55033
- The license certificate will be mailed to the applicant.