Fayetteville, NC Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Fine
- Up to $50 civil penalty
- Payment window
- 14 days from citation
- Smoking-area setback
- 50 feet from fields, courts, entrances
- Max designated areas
- Three per park facility
- Effective date
- November 10, 2014
Summary
Smoking is prohibited on all city-owned or leased property and in every city vehicle under Code of Ordinances § 2-121, with one carve-out: unenclosed park and recreation grounds, which must post at least one designated smoking area kept 50 feet from ball fields, courts, playgrounds, and building entrances.
Smoking is prohibited on all city property except the grounds of parks and recreation facilities as defined herein. The grounds of each parks and recreation facility shall have at least one clearly and conspicuously marked area designated for smoking. No designated smoking area may be located less than 50 feet from any ball field, tennis court, basketball court, playground, or public entrances to structures of any kind (including swimming pools or swimming pool complexes)... failure to cease smoking constitutes an infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $50.00.
Full Breakdown
Section 2-121 defines 'city property' as any building, structure, parcel, or real estate owned, leased, or operated by the city, including all adjacent unenclosed grounds, but expressly excludes the unenclosed grounds of parks and recreation facilities and both the enclosed and unenclosed grounds of Fayetteville Regional Airport, while still reaching every enclosed area of a park or rec facility. Smoking is banned everywhere city property is defined to cover, except that each parks and recreation facility must mark at least one outdoor smoking area, sited no closer than 50 feet to any ball field, tennis court, basketball court, playground, or public building entrance, including pool entrances; the Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation Department may designate up to three such areas per facility at its discretion.
'No smoking' signage with one-inch letters or the international no-smoking symbol must be posted in every building, vehicle, and other regulated place, and it is unlawful to remove or deface a posted sign. In vehicles, signs must be visible to passengers without interfering with safe operation. The Fayetteville Regional Airport director may adopt separate smoking rules for the airport under § 3-13. The ordinance took effect November 10, 2014, replacing the prior Code 1961 § 2-60, and was amended again in 2015.
Violations & Fines
After oral or written notice from the person in charge of the area, continued smoking is an infraction punishable by a civil fine of up to $50.00. Any Cumberland County law enforcement officer may issue the citation by certified mail or personal delivery, and the fine is payable to the Finance Department's Collection Division at city hall within 14 days of receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I smoke in a Fayetteville city park?
What happens if I keep smoking after being told to stop on city property?
Does the smoking ban apply to city vehicles?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fayetteville
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