Opening a Convenience Store in Ohio: Licenses & Permits

Ohio splits alcohol into two very different businesses. Beer and wine come with carryout permits that most convenience stores can get, subject to quotas and local votes. Spirits are sold only by contract liquor agencies the state chooses, and an agency comes with its own floor-space requirements. Below is who issues what, and how each rule shapes the store you design.

Licenses and permits at a glance

Fuel tanks: BUSTR

The State Fire Marshal's Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations (BUSTR), part of the Department of Commerce, regulates tanks:

• Installation permit: you need a permit before installing, removing, closing or modifying a tank system, or changing the product stored. It comes from a delegated local fire department, or otherwise the State Fire Marshal. The State Fire Marshal charges $35 per location plus $60 an hour for inspections, and local agencies set their own fees. A certified installer must supervise, and a certified inspector must inspect, before the system operates.
• Registration: register new tanks within 30 days of putting them in service. Renew every year by June 30, at $100 per tank or compartment, with a 10% late fee.
• Operators: Class A and B operators are trained within 60 days of taking the role, and Class C before taking it.
• Financial assurance: the Petroleum UST Release Compensation Board's Petroleum Financial Assurance Fund charges $350 per tank, due by July 1. It covers up to $1 million less a $55,000 standard deductible. Owners of six or fewer tanks can pay $200 more per tank for an $11,000 deductible.

Beer and wine: C-1 and C-2 permits

The Division of Liquor Control issues carryout permits:

• C-1: beer in sealed containers to go, $252.
• C-2: wine and mixed beverages to go, $376.
• Both allow sales until 1 a.m. and are quota-limited. Sunday sales of anything other than beer need a D-6 permit ($400 for C permit holders) and a wet precinct. New permits carry a $100 processing fee.

Local layer: Ohio holds wet/dry votes by precinct, and voters can also vote on a particular location. When you apply, the city or township gets notice and can request a hearing within 30 days. Permits can't issue sooner than 15 days after filing.

Distance: a school, church, library, public playground or township park within 500 feet of your site gets notice and can request a hearing. It isn't an automatic ban.

Spirits: contract liquor agencies

Spirits are sold only by contract liquor agencies, which sell on consignment for JobsOhio. The Division of Liquor Control chooses where agencies go and advertises openings. Applications are scored, and there's no application fee. An agency must provide:

• the required linear feet of shelving and square feet of liquor storage;
• a certified point-of-sale system;
• an office area.

Agencies receive C-1 and C-2 permits automatically, and can't sell spirits to customers in cars at a drive-thru.

Tobacco and vapor

Ohio's retail cigarette dealer license is issued by the county auditor: $125 per location per year, with the license year starting June 1. Vapor products are taxed at 10 cents per milliliter or gram, mostly paid by distributors. A bill to create a statewide tobacco and vapor retail license and a vapor product directory (HB 849) was introduced in May 2026 and is in committee.

Food service: the local board of health

Food is licensed by the local board of health, or by the state departments of agriculture or health where they're the licensor. Under Ohio rules (OAC 901:3-4-07):

• Layout approval: the layout and equipment specifications need written approval before you build, equip or substantially remodel.
• Timing: the licensor must act within 30 days of receiving the plans. File the license application at least 10 days before opening.
• Fees: plan review fees are set by the licensor.

Sales tax, fuel pumps and lottery

• Sales tax: you need a vendor's license for each fixed place of business, from the county auditor or through OH|TAX eServices. The fee rose from $25 to $50 on April 9, 2025.
• Fuel pumps: the Ohio Department of Agriculture's director is the state sealer, and county auditors and city sealers inspect devices. Only inspectors or registered service people may install or repair them.
• Lottery: apply online with the Ohio Lottery. It requires a background check on all principals, a $50 application fee and a $15,000 minimum surety bond.

What this means for your store design

• Decide whether to pursue a liquor agency. If the state is seeking an agency in your area, the store needs dedicated spirits shelving, liquor storage and an office, which changes the floor plan and back room.
• Beer and wine go in the cooler wall. Plan the cooler wall or a beer cave for C-1 and C-2 sales.
• Check the precinct vote and 500-foot neighbors. Both can add hearings or block sales. See choosing a location.
• Get the food layout approved in writing first. Allow up to 30 days for the licensor to act. See food service build-outs.

Local approvals

Your city, village or township also controls zoning, building permits, fire inspections and signs. Our construction checklist covers the local steps.

For Ohio store design, see convenience store design in Ohio and walk-in cooler services in Ohio.

Sources

• Ohio Administrative Code 1301:7-9-04, 1301:7-9-10 and 1301:7-9-19 (State Fire Marshal, BUSTR) and 3737-1-04 (Petroleum UST Release Compensation Board).
• Ohio Division of Liquor Control, permit class types and contract liquor agency guide; Ohio Revised Code 4301.35, 4301.355 and 4303.26.
• Ohio Revised Code 5743.15 (cigarette dealer license) and 5739.17 (vendor's license); Ohio Department of Taxation, vapor products.
• Ohio Administrative Code 901:3-4-07 and Ohio Revised Code 3717.01 (food licensing).
• Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1327 (weights and measures).
• Ohio Lottery, become a retailer; Ohio General Assembly, HB 849 status.

This page summarizes official sources as of October 2026. It is not legal advice. Fees and rules change, so confirm each one with the agency before you apply.