San Leandro, CA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Article 2 of Chapter 4-12 (Smoking Pollution Control) extends San Leandro's smoking ban well beyond enclosed buildings. Section 4-12-205 prohibits smoking in unenclosed public places, service areas (ATMs, bus stops, ticket lines), transit depot waiting areas, and "City and private parks, playgrounds, athletic facilities, and golf practice facilities," as well as the sites of public events including sports events, ceremonies, farmers' markets, festivals, carnivals, and fairs. Section 4-12-300 layers on a "reasonable distance" rule, defined at a minimum of 20 feet, keeping smokers away from any entrance, window, or vent of a building where smoking is banned; bars are carved out from this buffer unless smoke drifts into a protected area.

Section 4-12-305 adds a stand-alone 300-foot no-smoking zone around any primary or secondary school's property line, on public property. Section 4-12-210 preserves two narrow carve-outs: the 18-hole Tony Lema Golf Course and 9-hole Marina Golf Course remain open to smokers, and private residential units (other than licensed daycare or health facilities) are unaffected. Every regulated location must post "No Smoking" or international no-smoking signage under Section 4-12-405, though a missing sign is not a defense to a citation. The San Leandro Police Department is designated the enforcing agency under Section 4-12-500(f), and violations can also be pursued by the Alameda County District Attorney as an infraction or misdemeanor.