Outdoor Smoking Restrictions: Dallas vs Richardson
How do outdoor smoking restrictions rules compare between Dallas, TX and Richardson, TX?
Richardson has fewer restrictions than Dallas.
Dallas, TX
Dallas County
Dallas City Code Chapter 41B prohibits smoking in restaurants, bars, public parks, libraries, and within fifteen feet of doorways, windows, or air intakes of enclosed public places, including e-cigarettes citywide since 2018 amendments.
View full Dallas rules →Richardson, TX
Dallas County
Texas has no statewide outdoor smoking ban; the Smoke-Free Workplace framework reaches indoor public places only. Dallas County does not regulate outdoor smoking countywide. Cities like Dallas (Code 41-1), Plano, and Richardson adopt their own bans on patios, parks, and within set distances of building entrances.
View full Richardson rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Dallas | Richardson |
|---|---|---|
| Doorway buffer | Fifteen feet from entrances, windows | - |
| Bars covered since | 2017 expansion ordinance | - |
| E-cigarettes | Treated same as smoking | - |
| Parks and trails | Smoke-free citywide | - |
| Max fine | Up to $500 per violation | - |
| State law | - | TX H&S 161.081-090 limited |
| Statewide ban | - | None comprehensive |
| County ordinance | - | None adopted |
| Dallas city rule | - | Code Ch. 41 |
| Buffer typical | - | 15 feet from entrance |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Dallas FAQ
Can I smoke on a restaurant patio in Dallas?
No. Outdoor patios where food is served are smoke-free under Chapter 41B, and smoking must be at least fifteen feet from any doorway, window, or air intake.
Does the ordinance apply to vaping and e-cigarettes?
Yes. Since 2018 amendments, Dallas treats e-cigarettes and vaping devices the same as combustible tobacco in all locations covered by Chapter 41B.
Richardson FAQ
Is smoking banned in Dallas County parks countywide?
No. Dallas County has no countywide outdoor smoking ban. Individual county facilities and parks may post smoke-free rules under Commissioners Court policy. City parks follow each city's smoking ordinance separately.
Can I smoke on a Dallas restaurant patio?
Generally no. Dallas City Code Chapter 41 bars smoking on restaurant and bar patios and within 15 feet of building entrances. Other Dallas County cities have similar rules; check the city ordinance where the restaurant sits.
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