Monterey County, CA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- County Code Chapter 10.70, Smoking Pollution Control
- Outdoor rule
- Parks/trails smoke-free only if posted nonsmoking
- Enforcement agency
- County Health Officer, Section 10.70.100
- Violation class
- Infraction under Section 10.70.110(C)
- Hotel/motel rule
- 75% of rooms fixed nonsmoking, Sec. 10.70.050(V)
- Geographic scope
- Unincorporated Monterey County only
Summary
Monterey County bans smoking in most enclosed public places across the unincorporated county, but treats outdoor spots differently: county parks, recreation areas and trails are smoke-free only where posted 'nonsmoking' under County Code Section 10.70.080, not automatically everywhere outdoors.
Smoking shall be prohibited in all public places within the unincorporated areas of Monterey County, including, but not limited to, the following places: ... Q. Parks, outdoor recreation areas, and recreational trails, where such parks, recreation areas, and trails are designated as nonsmoking. ... Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter to the contrary, the following areas shall not be subject to the smoking restrictions of this Chapter: ... 2. Parks, outdoor recreation areas, and recreational trails, except where such parks, recreation areas, and trails are designated as nonsmoking.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 56).
Full Breakdown
70, the Smoking Pollution Control Ordinance (Ord. 3746, 1994, amended by Ord. 050, including restrooms, service lines, retail stores, restaurants, malls and card rooms. Item Q of that section extends the ban to 'parks, outdoor recreation areas, and recreational trails, where such parks, recreation areas, and trails are designated as nonsmoking,' meaning the outdoor ban is signage-dependent rather than automatic. 080 confirms this by exempting parks, recreation areas and trails from restriction 'except where such parks, recreation areas, and trails are designated as nonsmoking,' and it also exempts private residences unless used as a licensed care facility.
040, with no signage condition. 090. 100, including investigating complaints and requiring compliance certifications from permit applicants. 050(V). The chapter applies only within the unincorporated areas of Monterey County; Salinas, Monterey, Seaside, Marina, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove and King City enforce their own separate smoking rules.
Violations & Fines
Smoking in any area where it is prohibited by Chapter 10.70, and failing to comply with the chapter's facility-owner duties, are both unlawful under Section 10.70.110(A)-(B). Any violation of Sections 10.70.040, 10.70.050, 10.70.060, 10.70.080 or 10.70.090 is an infraction under Section 10.70.110(C), enforced by the County Health Officer, who can also require compliance certification before issuing other County permits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I smoke in a Monterey County park?
Does the smoking ban apply in Salinas or Monterey?
What's the penalty for smoking where it's banned?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Monterey County
California rules heatmap·Compare Monterey County to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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