Mebane, NC Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Mebane City Code § 22-12.3(a) prohibits smoking and the use of tobacco products and e-cigarettes in city buildings, on city grounds, in city vehicles, throughout the city park system including athletic fields, Lake Michael and the Mebane Arts and Community Center, in city and privately owned buildings and grounds during a city-sponsored temporary special event, and on city sidewalks and streets within the downtown 'business district,' defined as Clay Street and Center Street between Fifth and Second Streets, and Fifth, Fourth, Third and Second Streets between Clay Street and Center Street.

Section 22-12.3(b) exempts the inside of a private vehicle parked on city grounds or in the park system. Section 22-12.4 separately bans littering cigarette butts, e-cigarette devices or related refuse on city property and bans spitting smokeless tobacco on city grounds or in the park system, each subject to its own civil penalty. Section 22-12.5 requires the city to post compliant no-smoking signage under § 22-12.6 and to remove ashtrays from city buildings and grounds, and directs city employees to seek compliance, including contacting law enforcement if necessary.

The city council enacted the whole article, §§ 22-12.1 through 22-12.7, on October 1, 2018 (Ord. No. OA-18-01) under its authority over indoor smoking and local government buildings, G.S. 130A-498 and 160A-174(a). Section 22-12.7 caps the civil penalty for violating §§ 22-12.3 and 22-12.4 at $50.00, issuable by any city employee with citation authority, with no additional court costs, and city employees who violate the article separately face discipline under the city's personnel policy.