Santa Cruz County, CA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

070 lists the outdoor places where smoking is off-limits in the unincorporated county, covering places like Aptos, Soquel, Live Oak, Felton, Ben Lomond and Boulder Creek that have no city government of their own: all parks, beaches, outdoor recreation areas and recreational trails, plus every outdoor dining area. The chapter also reaches beyond those named spaces. 070(C) and (D) extend the ban to that 25-foot zone around any doorway, window, opening, crack or vent leading into a smoke-free enclosed space, and around any other outdoor area already covered by the section, unless the smoker is only passing through.

040(N) to include electronic smoking devices such as vapes and e-cigarettes, not just lit tobacco. 060, separately bans smoking in enclosed public places, restaurants, bars, retail stores, common areas of apartment buildings and at least 90 percent of hotel rooms. 100: private residences (unless used as licensed child care, health care or foster care) and retail tobacco stores are exempt from the whole chapter. Any owner, operator or manager may also voluntarily declare their entire property smoke-free. 110 requires posted "No Smoking" or "Smoke Free" signage with the international no-smoking symbol at every point of entry to a covered area.