Monterey, CA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Section 22-29 defines "beach" as any sand area of a city park abutting Monterey Bay out to the Recreation Trail, and "Recreation Trail" as the paved bike and pedestrian path running from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to the Seaside city line. "Smoke" or "smoking" is defined broadly: inhaling, exhaling, burning, carrying or possessing any lighted, heated or ignited pipe, cigar, cigarette, cigarillo, hookah, electronic smoking device, or any plant product intended for human inhalation. That definition folds vaping and marijuana into the same ban as tobacco.

Subsection (b) lists eleven prohibited locations: beaches, the Recreation Trail, all enclosed public buildings, covered public parking lots and stairwells, buses/taxis/shuttles operating in the city, service areas (ATM lines, bus stops, ticket lines, transit waiting areas), city-owned vehicles, any property an owner has posted as nonsmoking, enclosed places of employment, and both Municipal Wharf I (Old Fisherman's Wharf) and Municipal Wharf II. 5(d)(1), and private residences except licensed family day care homes during operating hours with children present. Property owners, operators or managers must post "No Smoking" signs conspicuously wherever the section applies. The ordinance traces to Ord. 3442 (2010), amended by Ord. 3487 (2013) and Ord. 3530 (2015).