Austin Code Chapter 10-6 has banned smoking in indoor workplaces, restaurants, bars, and public buildings since the 2005 voter-approved Smoke-Free Workplace Ordinance, plus designated outdoor zones near entrances, parks, playgrounds, and city-funded venues; vaping is included.
Austin voters passed the Smoke-Free Workplace Ordinance in May 2005, making Austin one of the first major Texas cities to ban indoor smoking citywide. City Code Chapter 10-6 covers cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and hookah, prohibiting use in indoor workplaces, restaurants, bars, retail stores, public transit, and within 15 feet of building entrances. Austin parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, sports facilities, and city-funded events are smoke-free under park rules. Hotels may designate up to 25 percent of rooms as smoking. Bingo halls and tobacco-product retailers have narrow exemptions. Posting and signage are required at every entrance. Austin Public Health, the Austin Code Department, and Austin Parks staff handle compliance complaints; APD enforces in venues and parks.
Smoking violations are class C misdemeanors under Austin Code Section 10-6-7 with fines up to $500. Owners who fail to post signs or permit repeat violations face escalating civil penalties up to $2,000, plus health-permit review for restaurants and bars.
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