Palm Beach County, FL Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- First offense
- $50 civil citation
- Fourth+ offense
- $300 per violation
- Max penalty
- $500 default judgment
- Covers
- vapor devices, not cigarettes
- Location
- county park playgrounds only
Summary
Palm Beach County bans e-cigarettes and other vapor-generating devices inside County public park playgrounds, not traditional cigarette smoking, and not the rest of the park, enforced with civil citations starting at $50.
Sec. 21-84. - The prohibition of the use of Vapor-Generating Electronic Devices at public park playgrounds. Pursuant to F.S. § 386.209, the BCC hereby prohibits the use of Vapor-Generating Electronic Devices at Public Park Playgrounds.
Full Breakdown
Palm Beach County's Vapor-Free Public Park Playground Ordinance bans using e-cigarettes and other vapor-generating electronic devices inside County-operated public park playgrounds. The rule applies in unincorporated Palm Beach County and in any of the county's 39 municipalities that hasn't adopted its own conflicting ordinance. It doesn't reach traditional cigarette or cigar smoking, and it doesn't extend past the playground itself: patios, trails, ball fields and open park space aren't covered. Sheriff's deputies and code enforcement officers issue civil citations, starting at $50 for a first violation and climbing to $300 per violation for a fourth offense or beyond.
Violations & Fines
Vaping at a county park playground draws a $50 civil citation for a first offense, $100 for a second, $200 for a third, and $300 per violation after that: up to a $500 default judgment if the fine goes unpaid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I vape in a Palm Beach County park playground?
Does the county ban cigarette smoking outdoors in parks?
Does this apply in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach or other cities?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida public conduct overview
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