Gary, IN Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Gary Municipal Code § 24-202 extends the city's indoor smoke-free rules outdoors: smoking is prohibited within a reasonable distance of any enclosed area where smoking is barred, but never closer than 15 feet, so that tobacco smoke does not enter smoke-free establishments through entrances, windows, ventilation intakes or other openings. The underlying indoor ban, at § 24-200, covers municipally operated public places such as libraries, museums, municipal offices, polling places, public transit vehicles and depots, and common areas of city buildings, while § 24-201 bars smoking in enclosed places of employment citywide, including private offices, restrooms and break rooms.

Outdoor seating areas for restaurant patrons and grandstands at public events are carved back into the regulated zone under § 24-198, meaning the 15-foot buffer applies there too. Every regulated public place and place of employment must post signage under § 24-196 stating smoking is not permitted, and ashtrays must be removed from any area where smoking is barred. The city code enforcement officer and the city law department enforce this article under § 24-195, and any resident may register a complaint directly with the code enforcement officer to trigger enforcement.