Janesville, WI Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Janesville's smoking ordinance, Chapter 24, Article II, Division 7, regulates both enclosed places and specific outdoor locations. Section 24-333(a) lists 15 categories of enclosed places where smoking is barred, from restaurants and taverns to City buildings, but Subsection (b) reaches outdoors: smoking is prohibited anywhere on the grounds of a childcare center while children are present, anywhere on a Type 1 juvenile correctional facility's grounds, within 25 feet of a University of Wisconsin System residence hall, and, under Subsection (b)(4), anywhere on City premises, defined to include any building, parking ramp, parking lot, park or trail controlled by the City.

If a restaurant, tavern, private club or retail establishment sits within City-controlled property, the person in charge may designate a smoking area a reasonable distance from any entrance. Section 24-334 puts the compliance duty on the 'person in charge' of a location, who must post signage, refuse service to a smoker in a restaurant, tavern or private club, and ask a non-compliant smoker to leave, notifying police if the person refuses. Section 24-336 sets penalties: an individual smoker faces a forfeiture of $100 to $250 for each violation, plus costs, with up to 60 days in jail in default; a person in charge who fails the compliance duties faces a $100 forfeiture per offense, capped at $100 total per day for all Section 24-334(b) to (d) violations occurring on the same day, after a first warning notice.