Los Angeles, CA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Section
- LAMC § 41.50 (amended Ord. No. 187,525, eff. 7/16/22)
- Covers e-cigarettes / vapes
- Yes: explicitly included in 'Smoking' definition
- Outdoor dining area definition
- Dedicated dining space plus all non-enclosed areas within 10 feet
- Food truck / kiosk buffer
- 40-foot radius around the business
- Penalty
- Infraction
Summary
LAMC § 41.50 prohibits smoking, including vaping and any electronic smoking device, in outdoor dining areas, City-owned buildings, and City-permitted farmers markets. Outdoor dining areas include all non-enclosed space within 10 feet of any area regularly used for consuming food or drinks.
'Outdoor Dining Area' shall mean: a. An outdoor area made available to the general public that is dedicated, designed, established or regularly used as a place for the consumption of food or drinks and all non-enclosed areas within 10 feet thereof... b. An outdoor area comprised of a 40-foot radius of a business, such as a food kiosk, food cart, or mobile food truck, that regularly sells or provides food or drinks but has no area dedicated by the business as a place for the consumption of food or drinks. 'Smoking' shall mean inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, or pipe, or any other lighted or heated product containing, made, or derived from nicotine, tobacco, cannabis, or other plant, whether natural or synthetic, that is intended for inhalation. 'Smoking' includes using an Electronic Smoking Device. B. Prohibitions. 1. Smoking is prohibited in the following places: a. Any portion of a building owned or leased by the City of Los Angeles; b. City permitted farmer's markets...; and c. Outdoor Dining Areas. D. Penalty. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, violation of any provision or failure to comply with any requirement of this section is an infraction.
Full Breakdown
The definition of 'Smoking' explicitly includes electronic smoking devices such as e-cigarettes, vape pens, e-cigars, and e-hookahs, and covers any substance that can be aerosolized or vaporized, whether or not it contains nicotine. An 'Outdoor Dining Area' covers a 40-foot radius around food kiosks, food carts, and mobile food trucks that lack a dedicated seating area. Businesses with outdoor dining must post no-smoking signs stating 'No Smoking in this Outdoor Dining Area or within 10 feet of this Outdoor Dining Area' in size-14 font or larger, visible from passing pedestrians. Violation is an infraction, but knowingly permitting smoking in an outdoor dining area also subjects the manager or controller to a violation.
Violations & Fines
Violation is an infraction under LAMC § 41.50(D). Willful mutilation or destruction of required no-smoking signs is also unlawful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone vape at an outdoor restaurant patio?
Does the outdoor dining ban apply to bars?
What are the required signs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Los Angeles
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Outdoor Smoking Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle outdoor smoking restrictions.