Arcadia, CA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Part 9, Smoking Prohibited in Designated Areas, of Chapter 2 of Article IV of the Arcadia Municipal Code was repealed and replaced by Ord. No. 2384, adopted February 7, 2022. Its outdoor rules are broad.

Section 4290.3 prohibits smoking within twenty-five feet of a commercial or retail entryway. Section 4290.4 prohibits smoking in all open air dining areas located on private or public property, including the public right-of-way, and within twenty-five feet of an open air dining area. The one exception is a smoker who is actively passing by the open air dining area.

Section 4290.1 extends the ban to City parks: it is unlawful to use any form of tobacco, marijuana or vaping products at any time in or upon any City Park property or recreation area, and those products are also prohibited during City conducted or sponsored events. Section 4290.2 covers multi-family residences, defined as two or more units with a shared wall and/or ventilation. Smoking is prohibited in all common areas, which include halls, paths, lobbies, courtyards, elevators, stairs, playgrounds, swimming pools, parking garages and parking lots, and on patios and balconies. Indoor smoking is allowed only so long as smoke cannot be perceived by neighbors.

Section 4291 puts a duty on the person managing an area where the ban applies: post and maintain No Smoking signs in conspicuous locations on no fewer than two separate walls or columns, not less than five feet or more than eight feet above the floor level. Failure to post and maintain signs is a misdemeanor, and Section 4292 makes it unlawful to mutilate or destroy posted signs. Section 4293 exempts places under the jurisdiction of the Arcadia Public Schools Board of Education unless the Board files a resolution with the City Clerk opting in.

Section 4294 makes it unlawful both to smoke where prohibited and for a premises owner, manager or operator to fail to comply. The City Attorney, any peace officer, and any City Code Enforcement Officer can enforce.