Defense to alleged violation of Section 6.240.100
Seattle Mun. Code § 6.240.210
in effect6.240.210 - Defense to alleged violation of Section 6.240.100
A. The establishment, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a tobacco product retailer acted in good faith to prevent a violation of Section 6.240.100 and that any such violation occurred despite such retailer's exercising of due diligence, shall be a valid defense against allegation that such retailer violated Section 6.240.100.
B. A tobacco product retailer may establish that he, she, or it exercised due diligence to prevent a violation of Section 6.240.100 only by proving that such retailer:
1. Conspicuously posted and reasonably maintained appropriate signs notifying potential customers that identification is required to purchase any tobacco product;
2. Conspicuously posted and reasonably maintained appropriate signs in areas frequented by employees and agents of such retailer (such as near time cards or in lunchrooms) reminding them of this ordinance and the sanctions contained herein for violations;
3. Conspicuously posted and reasonably maintained appropriate signs near such retailer's cash registers or comparable facilities reminding employees and agents of such retailer to check a customer's identification before selling any tobacco product to such customer if the employee or agent has any doubt regarding the customer's legal right to purchase a tobacco product;
4. Required each person employed by or acting as the agent of such tobacco product retailer on or after March 22, 1991 whose duties may include the offering for sale or the selling of any tobacco product to read this chapter or a summary thereof, which shall be provided by the Department, upon request, and to sign a declaration attesting that he or she has read this Chapter 6.240 or the Department's summary thereof, and understands and will comply with the same;
5. Provided each of such tobacco product retailer's employees and agents whose duties may include the offering for sale or the selling of any tobacco product for or on the behalf of such retailer, with a written list of the types of identification that are acceptable under Section 6.240.110 to establish a customer's legal age; and
6. Imposed discipline on any employee or agent found to have been responsible for a violation of this Chapter 6.240.
(Ord. 115531, § 1, 1991.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT6BURE_SUBTITLE_IVNELICO_CH6.240RESATOPR_6.240.210DEALVISE6.240.100Fetched: 11/1/2026