Fort Lauderdale, FL Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Fort Lauderdale bans both smoking and vaping across its entire park and beach system under Sec. 19-7, adopted by Ordinance No. C-22-44 on October 3, 2022. The ordinance defines smoking as the act of inhaling, exhaling, burning, carrying, or possessing any lighted tobacco product, including cigarettes, pipe tobacco, and any other lighted tobacco product, and defines vaping as inhaling or exhaling vapor from a device, or possessing a vapor-generating device while it is actively producing vapor or aerosol, though the definition specifically excludes the mere possession of a vapor-generating electronic device when it is not in use.

Sec. 19-7(b) then makes it unlawful for any person to smoke, vape, or engage in the act of smoking or vaping in any public park or on any public beach area within the boundaries of the City of Fort Lauderdale, with one carve-out: unfiltered cigars remain permitted. The ban applies citywide to every public park and every public beach area, not just posted or designated locations, which is broader than many municipal beach-smoking rules that only restrict specific zones.

Because Sec. 19-7 does not set its own fine schedule, enforcement runs through the general penalty provision, Sec. 1-6: a violation can draw a fine of up to $500, up to 60 days in jail, or both, and the court may add probation, restitution, or up to 250 hours of community service. Sec. 1-6(c) also treats a continuing violation as a separate offense for each day it persists. Parks and Recreation staff and Fort Lauderdale Police can issue citations for violations observed on city beach and park property.