Olympia, WA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Olympia Municipal Code § 12.60.130
- Where it applies
- City parks and city trails
- Covered products
- Cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, electronic and vapor cigarettes
- Penalty clause
- OMC 12.60.300 civil infraction, each day separate
- First offense
- Class 3 ($50), not including statutory assessments
Summary
In the City of Olympia, Washington, it is unlawful to smoke or light cigarettes, cigars, tobacco or other smoking material within city parks or on city trails. The ban expressly reaches electronic cigarettes, vapor cigarettes and similar nicotine delivery products.
It is unlawful for any person to smoke or light cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, or other smoking material, including electronic nicotine delivery devices including, but not limited to, electronic cigarettes, vapor cigarettes, or similar products, within city parks or on city trails.
Full Breakdown
Section 12.60.130 of the Olympia Municipal Code, titled Smoking or Vaping Prohibited in City Parks and Trails, makes it unlawful for any person to smoke or light cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, or other smoking material within city parks or on city trails. The definition of what counts is broad on its face: the section names electronic nicotine delivery devices, including electronic cigarettes, vapor cigarettes, or similar products, so vaping is treated the same as burning tobacco. Lighting a cigarette is covered even before the first puff, because the text reaches anyone who smokes or lights smoking material.
The location test is the park or the trail. The section prints no distance buffer and no exception for a designated smoking area, and it says nothing about restaurant patios, sidewalks or private property, so those places are outside this section. It sits in OMC Chapter 12.60, the City of Olympia park rules, next to related prohibitions: fireworks are barred in City parks under 12.60.050, fires are allowed only in designated areas marked by signs under 12.60.160, and 12.60.170 makes it unlawful to ignore a posted sign restricting activities in park property.
The section carries history from Ordinance 7066 (2017) and Ordinance 7181 (2019). Because 12.60.130 does not state its own penalty, the general penalty clause of the chapter, 12.60.300, supplies it: a civil infraction, with each day a separate infraction.
Violations & Fines
Under OMC 12.60.300, a violation of a term of Chapter 12.60 is a civil infraction unless the code states otherwise, and each day counts as a separate infraction. The monetary penalty is Class 3 ($50) for a first offense, Class 2 ($125) for a second offense arising out of the same facts, and Class 1 ($250) for a third, not including statutory assessments. The section also points to OMC Chapter 4.44, Uniform Code Enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Olympia park smoking ban cover vaping?
Does the ban apply on City of Olympia trails or only in parks?
What is the fine for smoking in an Olympia park?
Is there a designated smoking area in City parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Olympia
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