Santa Barbara County, CA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer from workplace entries
- 20 feet from doors, windows, vents
- Recreational areas
- Banned except camping parks
- Multi-unit common areas
- Smoking zone allowed if 20 ft/5 ft buffers met
- Enforcer
- County health officer; park rangers for parks
- First-offense fine
- Up to $100
- Repeat-offense fine
- Up to $500 within a year
Summary
Smoking, vaping, and other tobacco use is banned outdoors across unincorporated Santa Barbara County: within 20 feet of a doorway, window, or vent of an enclosed workplace, in unenclosed dining areas, around county buildings and parking lots, in most recreational areas, and at public events like farmers' markets and fairs.
(a)Smoking and the use of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices is prohibited in the unenclosed areas of the following places within the unincorporated area of the County of Santa Barbara:(1)Unenclosed service areas;(2)Unenclosed areas surrounding buildings and facilities that are owned, leased, or operated by the county, including vehicles and parking lots.(3)Unenclosed areas within twenty feet of a door, window, opening or vent surrounding other enclosed places of employment, except as specified in section 37-5(a)(4)(B).(4)Unenclosed places of employment as follows:(A)Unenclosed dining areas;(B)Unenclosed areas of a bar, with the following exception,(1)Unenclosed areas of a bar may permit smoking, use of tobacco products or electronic smoking devices provided that smoke or emissions from the unenclosed areas do not enter adjacent enclosed places of employment or residences.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 44 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
County Code Sec. 37-5(a) prohibits smoking, tobacco product use, and electronic smoking devices in unenclosed service areas; unenclosed areas around county-owned, leased, or operated buildings and facilities, including vehicles and parking lots; unenclosed areas within 20 feet of any door, window, opening, or vent of an enclosed workplace; unenclosed dining areas; and unenclosed recreational areas, with narrow exceptions for camping parks and areas at least 30 feet from a county park employee's on-site residence. Unenclosed bar patios may allow smoking only if smoke or emissions stay off adjacent enclosed workplaces or residences.
The ban also reaches public events, including fairs, farmers' markets, parades, and festivals, and multi-unit residence common areas, unless the person controlling the property designates a smoking area at least 20 feet from any prohibited enclosed area and 5 feet from spaces used by children, such as playgrounds or pools. Sec. 37-6 bars letting smoke drift into a prohibited area, requires posted no-smoking signage with letters at least one inch tall, and requires ash receptacles to be kept at least 20 feet from prohibited areas.
The county health officer or designee enforces the chapter generally under Sec. 37-8 (Enforcement), while county park rangers and law enforcement officers enforce the recreational-area rule.
Violations & Fines
A violation is an infraction under Sec. 37-9: a fine up to $100 for a first offense, up to $200 for a second within one year, and up to $500 for each additional offense within a year. Violations also carry administrative fines under Chapter 24A, are declared a public nuisance, and can be pursued by county counsel through civil nuisance abatement or injunctive relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I smoke on an outdoor restaurant patio in unincorporated Santa Barbara County?
Is vaping treated the same as smoking a cigarette outdoors?
Can an apartment complex allow a designated outdoor smoking spot?
What's the penalty for smoking within 20 feet of a business entrance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Barbara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Barbara County to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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