Olmsted County, MN Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Chapter 2100, the Olmsted County Smoke-Free Workplaces Ordinance, applies throughout the entire county, including every municipality within it, under the authority of Minnesota Statutes Chapters 145A and 375 (Section 2102.02). Section 2103.09 defines "Public Place" to include not just indoor spaces but also "an outdoor area of a public recreation center or public park, including, but not limited to, a public playground, swimming pool or other recreational area when in use by youth under the age of eighteen." Section 2104.01 then prohibits smoking, which the ordinance defines to include vaping electronic delivery devices, in three settings: public places and places of work (2104.01.A); outdoor dining or bar areas, including sidewalk seating, of food establishments that provide wait staff or other staff services (2104.01.B); and within 15 feet of entrances, exits, open windows and ventilation intakes of public places and places of work (2104.01.C).

Section 2104.02 exempts private residences, motor vehicles in private use, motor vehicles serving as a workplace for no more than one employee, traditional Indian spiritual or cultural tobacco use by enrolled tribal members, 20 percent of contiguous, clearly-marked smoking guest rooms in hotels and motels, people simply passing through on a street, alley or sidewalk, and legally authorized vaporized medical cannabis use under Minn. Stat. § 152.23. Proprietors must post "This entire area is smoke-free" signs with the universal no-smoking symbol at every entrance (Section 2105.01) and must ask violators to stop or leave (Section 2105.03).