Kenosha, WI Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Pool deck smoking
- Prohibited under § 6.02(C)(15)
- Playground smoking/vaping
- Banned at Petzke Park, § 6.02(D)(2)
- Parks penalty
- Up to $1,000 forfeiture, 90 days jail
- State law adopted
- Wis. Stats. § 101.123 by reference
- E-cigarette rule
- Banned wherever smoking is barred since 2019
Summary
Kenosha bans smoking, including vaping, in specific outdoor public spaces: pool deck areas under Code § 6.02(C)(15) and the fenced Petzke Park playground under § 6.02(D)(2), on top of adopting the statewide indoor smoking ban of Wis. Stats. § 101.123 by reference in § 4.05(A).
C.Swimming Pools....15.Bring food, drink, gum or smoking products into any pool or deck area.... D.Playgrounds. For the playground area in Petzke Park that is delineated by a fence, in addition to all other applicable rules relating to parks, the following activities are unlawful for any person:...2.To bring food, drink, chewing gum, smoking products, which includes vaping products, into the playground;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11 Update 1 | Zoning Ordinance: Supplement 9).
Full Breakdown
Kenosha's Parks chapter carries specific outdoor smoking prohibitions rather than a blanket park-wide ban. 02(C)(15), governing "Swimming Pools," makes it unlawful to "Bring food, drink, gum or smoking products into any pool or deck area," covering the pool deck itself, not just the water. 02(D)(2) separately bars anyone from bringing, or letting a supervised child bring, "food, drink, chewing gum, smoking products, which includes vaping products," into the fenced playground area of Petzke Park. 09. 05(A) of the Health chapter adopts "the provisions of Wis.
123 and any future amendments" in their entirety, Wisconsin's statewide smoke-free air law covering enclosed public places and places of employment, plus specified areas near building entrances. 05(B) goes further only for electronic cigarettes, banning Electronic Smoking anywhere ordinary smoking is barred, with narrow exceptions for private residences and a single Electronic Smoking Lounge grandfathered before March 1, 2019. 05(D).
Violations & Fines
Smoking or vaping on a pool deck or in the fenced Petzke Park playground violates § 6.02 and is punishable under § 6.09 by a forfeiture up to $1,000 plus prosecution costs, with County Jail time up to 90 days for nonpayment. Violating the adopted state smoke-free air law or the local e-cigarette rule under § 4.05 draws the penalties set by Wis. Stats. § 101.123, plus statutory court costs, surcharges, and assessments, enforced by the County Health Department, City Inspections, Police, and Fire Departments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I smoke at a Kenosha city pool?
Is vaping banned at Kenosha playgrounds?
Does Kenosha have its own citywide public smoking ban?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kenosha
Compare Kenosha to another location·View the Wisconsin public conduct overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.