All 14 stores in Calabasas that sell tobacco products passed a tobacco compliance check in December when they carded and refused to sell cigarettes to an undercover minor.

It's the first time every store passed the inspection since they began in 2009, when the city adopted an ordinance looking to hold store owners responsible for selling cigarettes to customers under 18.

State law on its own can only hold individual clerks responsible for making such sales.

Three times a year, Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station deputies recruit minors, usually between the ages of 16 and 17, to head to local grocery and liquor stores and have them try to buy a pack of cigarrettes.

"Our whole thing is to make sure [clerks] are checking IDs," said Deputy Scott Rule, who oversees the program.

If a clerk is caught selling cigarettes to underage customers, the store owner is fined $1,000 and they are prohibited from selling tobacco products for three months, said Michael Klein, a planner with the city.

Second-time violators can see bans on their cigarette sales double in length and extended up to five years for subsequent offenses, but there haven't any cases like that, he said.

"So far, we've been happy with the success," Klein said.

Five stores were caught in the act during a test compliance check before the penalties were put in place, Klein said. That number has dropped since then.

In 2009, only Ralphs was cited, while Rite Aid, Village Market and Liquor and the now closed California Quick Mart were busted in 2010, Klein said.

He said two businesses sold cigarettes to the minor decoys in 2011—one in the spring and the other in the summer—and their names will be made public later in January when a report is completed for the council.

Mayor James Bozajian said business owners should be commended for the December inspections.

"While the city of Calabasas stands ready to take appropriate corrective measures when the law is violated, nothing gives us greater satisfaction than to learn that everyone is in compliance," he said in an email. "As such, the retailers who were tested here should be commended."