Bellingham, WA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

010 that the council acted because tobacco smoke may endanger citizens' health. 020 defines 'smoking' to include lighted pipes, cigars and cigarettes as well as any 'electronic smoking device,' defined broadly to cover electronic cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes and hookahs regardless of product name. 'Public place' is defined as any land, building, facility or vehicle owned or operated by the city and open to the public, whether or not a fee is charged, and the definition lists parks, trails, open space, elevators, transportation facilities, museums, concert halls, theaters, sports and recreation seating areas, meeting facilities, legislative chambers, restrooms, libraries, waiting areas, lobbies and reception areas.

The definition specifically excludes streets, alleys and sidewalks. 030 sets the operative rule: no person may smoke in a public place except in a designated smoking area. 040, only the mayor may designate a smoking area, using physical barriers and ventilation to limit toxic effects on adjacent nonsmoking areas, and the mayor may also designate an entire building or facility nonsmoking. 050 requires signs posted at every entrance to city buildings and facilities, with the parks and recreation director posting signs at parks, trails and open space.

00, enforced by law enforcement through a notice of infraction handled like a traffic ticket. The chapter dates to Ord. 10027 (1990) and was last amended by Ord. 2015-11-045.