Sacramento County, CA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- County Code § 9.36.057
- First offense fine
- Up to $100
- Second offense fine
- Up to $200 within 1 year
- Third+ offense fine
- Up to $500 within 1 year
- Appeal deadline
- 15 calendar days
- Enforcing office
- Department of Regional Parks
- Classification
- Infraction, not misdemeanor
Summary
Sacramento County Code § 9.36.057 bans smoking on nature trails, in nature areas, and in any posted park facility, and prohibits it across nearly the entire American River Parkway except four carved-out zones. A citation is an infraction handled by the Department of Regional Parks, with fines climbing to $500 for repeat offenses within a year.
§ 9.36.057. Smoking. A. No person shall smoke any substance in any area designated as a nature trail or nature area or in or on any park facility where smoking is prohibited. B. Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the American River Parkway except: 1. Designated picnic areas; 2. Asphalt trails and surfaces; 3. Levee and levee tops; and 4. Golf courses.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
057(A), no one may smoke any substance on a designated nature trail, in a nature area, or in or on any park facility where signage prohibits it. Subsection (B) goes further for the American River Parkway: smoking is banned in all areas of the Parkway except designated picnic areas, asphalt trails and surfaces, levee and levee tops, and golf courses. 015 extends the whole chapter to facilities under County jurisdiction and to facilities of any recreation and park district organized under Public Resources Code § 5780 et seq.
084), a smoking violation is prosecuted as an infraction. 035(c) makes each day of continuing violation a separate offense. 031 governs the citation itself: the Director of Regional Parks issues a written Notice of Violation naming the location, code section, penalty amount, payment instructions, and appeal rights, served personally or by certified and regular mail. A recipient contests the notice by filing a Notice of Appeal and Request for Hearing with the Department of Regional Parks within 15 calendar days, along with an advance deposit of the penalty or a timely hardship-waiver request. 4.
Violations & Fines
A first citation draws a fine up to $100, a second within one year up to $200, and a third or later within the same year up to $500, since § 9.36.035(a) treats each violation as an infraction. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense under § 9.36.035(c). Missing the 15-day appeal window under § 9.36.031(E) forfeits the right to contest the citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I smoke anywhere in a Sacramento County park?
Is smoking banned across the whole American River Parkway?
What is the fine for a first smoking citation in a county park?
Can I contest a park smoking citation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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