Palatine, IL Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Palatine's clean indoor air ordinance, adopted as chapter 18, article II of the Village Code, declares itself intentionally more restrictive than state or federal law on secondhand smoke. Section 18-39 prohibits smoking in public places, places of employment, and government-owned vehicles, and it extends the buffer outdoors: no one may smoke within 15 feet of any entrance, exit, window that opens, or ventilation intake serving an enclosed public place or workplace. The same section reaches outdoor and semi-enclosed recreational spaces used by the public, naming sports pavilions, stadiums, gymnasiums, health spas, boxing arenas, swimming pools, roller and ice rinks, and bowling alleys as covered locations, so smoking at an outdoor pool deck or an open-air rink in the village falls under the same prohibition as an office lobby.

Section 18-41 carves out limited exemptions for private residences (unless used for licensed child care or similar services), designated smoking rooms in hotels and motels, and common smoking rooms in certain long-term care facilities. Section 18-42 requires every covered public place and workplace to post a conspicuous "No Smoking" sign at each entrance and bars anyone from removing or defacing that sign. Enforcement runs through Section 18-43: an individual who smokes where prohibited is fined under the village's fine schedule, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense; the village manager can also seek an injunction against repeated violations and may pursue license revocation proceedings against a business that fails to comply.