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

Bothell Municipal Code § 8.60.255 is a flat prohibition with no posting condition and no designated smoking area. It makes it unlawful for any person to use tobacco products in any city park, sports field, or park building, including picnic shelters. The list of products, "cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco," is introduced by the words "including but not limited to," so the ban reaches use of tobacco in any form and is not limited to burning it. Chewing tobacco is named, which means the rule covers smokeless use as well as smoke.

The section reaches every Bothell park, which BMC 8.60.020(D) defines as any area under the ownership, management, or control of the city of Bothell parks and recreation department for parks and recreation purposes. The definitions in BMC 8.60.020 do not define "tobacco products," and § 8.60.255 does not name electronic cigarettes or vapor products. The history note printed with the section lists Ord. 2174 (2015) and Ord. 2094 (2012).

Enforcement runs through BMC 8.60.390. The Bothell Police Department and the parks and recreation department both oversee park safety. The primary method is requesting voluntary compliance from park users, and citations are issued only by personnel specifically commissioned for that purpose. Parks staff trained by the police department receive training to issue warning citations only. BMC 8.60.250 adds a related littering rule: no person can leave or scatter ashes or other rubbish in a Bothell park except in a designated receptacle.

This park rule is separate from chapter 8.48, which makes it a misdemeanor, punished as provided in BMC 1.24.010, to light or enter with a lighted pipe, cigar or cigarette in a mill or other building posted with a conspicuous no smoking notice at each principal entrance.