Arlington vs Fort Worth
How do outdoor smoking restrictions rules compare between Arlington, TX and Fort Worth, TX?
Arlington and Fort Worth have similar restriction levels.
Arlington, TX
Tarrant County
Arlington bans smoking and vaping inside all city-owned buildings, vehicles, and within 25 feet of public entrances. City parks, trails, and public playgrounds are smoke-free; private restaurants and bars set their own indoor policies.
View full Arlington rules →Fort Worth, TX
Tarrant County
Fort Worth City Code Chapter 11.5 (Smoke-Free Air ordinance) has restricted smoking and vaping in indoor public places and many outdoor areas since 2007, including bars, restaurants, parks, sports venues, and within 20 feet of building entrances at public facilities, with FWPD and Code Compliance enforcement.
View full Fort Worth rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| City buildings | Smoke-free | - |
| Entrance buffer | 25 feet | 20 feet from public buildings |
| Parks and trails | Smoke-free | - |
| Private bars | Owner discretion | - |
| Code reference | - | Fort Worth Code Chapter 11.5 |
| Adopted | - | Voter initiative 2007 |
| Parks | - | Smoke-free including e-cigarettes |
| Penalty class | - | Class C misdemeanor |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington FAQ
Can I smoke at a Cowboys tailgate?
On private parking-lot ground, yes, under stadium policy. Once inside AT&T Stadium gates, smoking is prohibited except in designated outdoor smoking areas; vaping follows the same rule.
Are restaurants smoke-free?
Owner's choice in Arlington. The city has not adopted a comprehensive workplace smoking ban, so individual restaurants and bars decide their indoor smoking policies. Most chains are voluntarily smoke-free.
Fort Worth FAQ
Can I smoke on a bar patio in Fort Worth?
Only if the patio meets Chapter 11.5 outdoor criteria (open-air, distanced from entrances, properly designated). Many Fort Worth bars allow smoking on qualifying patios while keeping indoor space smoke-free.
Does the Fort Worth smoke-free ordinance cover vaping and e-cigarettes?
Yes. The 2015 update extended Chapter 11.5 to electronic cigarettes and vapor products. Vaping is prohibited everywhere traditional smoking is, including parks, indoor public spaces, and entrance buffers.
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