Hemet, CA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

The article's findings (§ 34-91) note that only about 15 percent of a cigarette's smoke is inhaled by the smoker while 85 percent enters the air for others to breathe, and cite U.S. Surgeon General, EPA and CDC findings that no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure exists. "Smoking" under § 34-92 means possessing a lighted tobacco product, lighted marijuana, or any other lighted weed or plant, or using an electronic smoking device, or lighting, emitting or exhaling smoke or vapor from any of these. An "unenclosed area" is one where outside air can circulate freely, having no more than two walls or vertical barriers with an overhead cover, or no more than three walls and no overhead cover.

A related section, § 34-93, separately bars smoking within 25 feet of any doorway, window, opening, crack or vent of an area where smoking is barred by this code or by state law, including the workplace smoking ban in Labor Code § 6404.5. Smoking is also banned in enclosed common areas of multifamily housing complexes under § 34-95, covering hallways, laundry rooms, elevators and pools accessible to residents.

Every no-smoking area must carry a posted "No Smoking" or "Smoke Free" sign with letters at least one inch tall, or the international no-smoking symbol, per § 34-96. The city manager posts signs at each city property entrance where smoking is barred. Missing signage is not a defense to a citation.