Atlanta, GA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Where it applies
- All Atlanta parks, trails, fields
- Covers
- Both smoking and vaping
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine or 6 months jail
- Leased-venue exceptions
- Chastain/Lakewood Amphitheaters, Park Tavern
- Citation
- Atlanta Code § 110-59(i)
Summary
Smoking and vaping are banned in every Atlanta park, athletic field, trail, golf course, and other city recreational facility, with no exception for open-air areas.
It shall be unlawful for any reason to smoke or vape in outdoor parks and recreational facilities located within the City of Atlanta, including but not limited to, parks, athletic fields, aquatic areas, golf courses, tennis courses, hiking/walking/biking trails, playgrounds, off-leash areas, and spectator and concession areas.(j)The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to any of the following city-owned properties, so long as the properties remain the subject of a lease with a private party: The Chastain Amphitheater; The Lakewood Amphitheater; the Park Tavern Restaurant located in Piedmont Park and designated smoking areas at golf club amenities.(k)The requirements of this section shall not restrict the right of any private lessee to enact a smoking prohibition policy on any portion of the leased properties. (Code 1977, § 10-2003; Ord. No. 2003-112, § 4, 12-9-03; Ord. No. 2006-66, § 3, 9-26-06; Ord. No. 2008-75(08-O-1574), § 2, 9-23-08; Ord. No. 2009-65(09-O-1731), § 1, 11-6-09; Ord. No. 2010-46(10-O-1272), § 1, 8-24-10; Ord. No. 2012-12(12-O-0359), §§ 1, 2, 3-28-12; Ord. No. 2012-27(12-O-0635), § 1, 6-27-12; Ord. No. 2012-35(12-O-0966), § 2, 7-25-12; Ord. No. 2013-45(13-O-1247), § 1, 9-25-13; Ord. No. 2016-41(16-O-1572), § 1, 11-16-16; Ord. No. 2019-38(19-O-1205), § 7, 7-9-19)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 2006-66, § 14, provided for an effective date of Jan. 1, 2007.
Full Breakdown
Atlanta Code § 110-59(i) bans smoking and vaping in every outdoor park, athletic field, aquatic area, golf course, tennis court, hiking/walking/biking trail, playground, off-leash dog area, and spectator or concession area citywide. The ban covers the whole park, not just enclosed buildings, and treats vaping the same as smoking. A narrow carve-out under subsection (j) exempts a handful of city-owned properties still under a private lease, the Chastain and Lakewood Amphitheaters, the Park Tavern Restaurant in Piedmont Park, and designated smoking areas at golf-club amenities, and subsection (k) lets those lessees adopt their own stricter no-smoking policy.
Violations & Fines
Breaking the smoking or vaping ban is a Code violation under section 1-8: a fine up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or public-works duty. Continuing violations count as a separate offense each day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is vaping banned in Atlanta parks, or just smoking?
Are there any Atlanta parks where smoking is allowed?
What's the penalty for smoking in an Atlanta park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Atlanta
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Outdoor Smoking Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fulton County handle outdoor smoking restrictions.