Columbia License not transferable ordinance (§ 11-314)
Chapter 11: Health and Sanitation · Article X. Sale of Tobacco, Alternative Nicotine Products and Vapor
In short: A tobacco retailer license can't be transferred to another person or location, and a change in ownership requires a new license. Past violations and revocations stay with the location unless it passes to a new owner in an arm's length sale and that owner gives the city clear and convincing evidence of it.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) A tobacco retailer license may not be transferred from one person to another or from one location to another. A new tobacco retailer license is required whenever a tobacco retailer location has a change in ownership.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, a prior violation or license revocation at a location shall continue to be counted against a location and license ineligibility periods shall continue to apply to a location unless:
(1) The location has been transferred to a new person in an arm's length transaction; and
(2) The new person provides the city with clear and convincing evidence that the new person has acquired, or is acquiring, the location in an arm's length transaction.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 11-314
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.