Oldham County, KY Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Chapter 92's Smoking Indoors subchapter, adopted by Ord. KOC 18-820-441 in 2018, bans smoking at places of employment and in enclosed areas under § 92.26(A), and § 92.26(B) extends that ban outdoors: smoking is prohibited within a reasonable distance of the outside entrance to, open window of, and air intake of a ventilation system serving any enclosed area where smoking is barred. SMOKING is defined broadly in § 92.25 to include lit or heated cigars, cigarettes, pipes and hookahs as well as electronic smoking devices that create aerosol or vapor.

Section 92.26(C) separately bans smoking in any enclosed area or vehicle owned, leased or controlled by the Oldham County Fiscal Court, and (E) exempts a private dwelling unless it operates as a childcare, adult day care or healthcare facility. The Oldham County Health Department is the primary enforcement agency under § 92.28, and every business license applicant must acknowledge the subchapter's requirements. Section 92.29 requires 'No Smoking' signs or the international no-smoking symbol posted at every entrance and exit of an enclosed public area, which reinforces the outdoor buffer by marking where the distance restriction begins.

Under § 92.99(C), an individual who violates the subchapter is fined at least $50, while a business owner or manager who allows a violation faces escalating fines of $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second and $250 for a third or later offense, plus possible suspension or revocation of the business's permits and licenses. Refusing to extinguish smoking material when asked can lead to removal from the premises and prosecution for trespass.