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Racine County, WI Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
Racine County Code Sec. 16-95(a)(3)
Buffer distance
25 feet from entrance
Forfeiture
$10 plus costs
Exempt shelters
5 named county parks (Sec. 16-96)

Summary

Racine County Code Sec. 16-95(a)(3) bans smoking within 25 feet of any entrance to a county building where smoking is prohibited indoors, with shelters at five county parks exempted.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Racine County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Except as specifically provided in section 16-96, no person may smoke in the following places:

(1) Any enclosed, indoor area located within any building owned or leased by the county and operated by its employees. This includes all elevators, public lobbies, corridors, waiting rooms, dining areas, restrooms, stairwells, auditoriums, conference, meeting, and/or training and testing rooms, offices, jury assembly and deliberation rooms, courtroom and other associated hearing, counseling and waiting areas, garage and shop work areas, meeting facilities specifically designated in W.S.A. § 101.123, including educational facilities, inpatient health facilities, community based residential facilities, restaurants, retail establishments including stores, shops or concession sales outlets, and all other enclosed, indoor area facilities contained within buildings owned or leased by the county. If only part of a building is leased to the county and operated by its employees, the area where smoking is prohibited also includes common areas within the building, and the area within twenty-five (25) feet of any entrance authorized for use by employees or customers of the county.

(2) Any county owned motor vehicle and any means of public conveyance owned or leased by the county and operated by its employees.

(3) Any area within twenty-five (25) feet of the entrance to an enclosed structure in which smoking is prohibited.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).

Full Breakdown

Beyond the indoor smoking ban in county buildings and vehicles, Sec. 16-95(a)(3) extends the prohibition outdoors to any area within 25 feet of an entrance to a structure where smoking is banned inside. Sec. 16-96 then carves out specific outdoor exceptions: the shelters at Bushnell, Eagle Lake, Colonel Heg, Pritchard and Sanders Parks, plus the dining hall, two open shelters and three concession buildings at Old Settler's Park, where smoking is allowed. The jail, juvenile detention center and Sunny Grove School complex set their own smoking policies under separate authority.

Violations & Fines

Forfeiture of $10 plus assessments and prosecution costs; nonpayment can result in contempt sanctions including county jail time under Sec. 16-93.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I smoke at a shelter in a Racine County park?
Yes, at the shelters in Bushnell, Eagle Lake, Colonel Heg, Pritchard and Sanders Parks, and at Old Settler's Park's dining hall, open shelters and concession buildings, per Sec. 16-96.
How close to a county building entrance can I smoke?
You must stay at least 25 feet from any entrance to a county building where indoor smoking is banned, under Sec. 16-95(a)(3).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Racine County

All Racine County rules

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