DeKalb County, GA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Section 16-103 prohibits smoking in all public places, outdoor recreational public places, common areas and places of employment, and Section 16-104 extends the same ban to county-owned parking lots and vehicles. Section 16-105(a) adds a 20-foot buffer: smoking is barred within 20 feet of any outside entrance, operable window or ventilation system of a covered place, within 20 feet of a restaurant's outdoor seating or serving area, and within 20 feet of any service line, defined broadly to include ATM, concert, food-vendor, movie-ticket and sporting-event lines.

Section 16-105(b) generally allows smoking in a non-county parking lot unless it falls within that 20-foot entrance buffer or the property owner has posted compliant "No Smoking" signs. Section 16-106 exempts freestanding bars, retail tobacco stores, adult entertainment establishments, private residences (unless used as childcare, adult day care or a health facility), property owned by another government, up to 25 percent of hotel/motel rooms designated for smoking, and outdoor employer areas not declared smoke-free. Section 16-102 defines "outdoor recreational public place" broadly to include parks, picnic areas, playgrounds, athletic fields, golf courses, walking and hiking trails, swimming pools, water parks, skateboard parks, stadiums, amphitheaters and beaches.

Section 16-108 requires "No Smoking" signs posted at every entrance to a covered area and all ashtrays removed, and requires a copy of the ordinance given to every business license applicant.