Sonoma County, CA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governs
- unincorporated Sonoma County only
- Buffer distance
- 25 feet from smoke-free areas
- First violation fine
- up to $100
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Health Services
- Designated areas
- max 5% of unenclosed space, signed
Summary
Sonoma County bans smoking in unincorporated-area parks, public events, service lines, and outdoor dining areas, plus a 25-foot buffer around any smoke-free space.
Smoking shall be prohibited in the following places within the unincorporated area of the county:
(1)Enclosed areas in places of employment.(2)The following unenclosed areas:(a)Dining Areas. An employer with an unenclosed dining area may establish a designated smoking area elsewhere on the premises if the designated smoking area meets the criteria set forth in section 32-3. This subsection shall take effect as of June 1, 2012.(b)Recreational areas, except in designated smoking areas.(c)Public events, except in designated smoking areas.(d)Service areas.(e)All areas within a reasonable distance from any place where smoking is prohibited. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any owner, operator, manager, employer or other person who controls any establishment or facility may prohibit smoking within the entire premises.
(Ord. No. 5953, § I, 10-4-2011.)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Sonoma County Code § 32-6 bans smoking in unenclosed recreational areas, parks, playgrounds, trails, campgrounds, athletic fields, beaches, plus public events like fairs and farmers markets, service areas such as ATM and ticket lines, and unenclosed dining areas, unless a marked designated smoking area is set up. Section 32-3 also bars smoking within 25 feet of any place where it's prohibited, and designated smoking spots must sit at least 25 feet from doorways, windows, playgrounds, and sports facilities. This applies only in the unincorporated county, Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Windsor, Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Cotati, Cloverdale, and the City of Sonoma each enforce their own municipal smoking codes.
Violations & Fines
Infraction: up to $100 for a first violation, up to $200 for a second within one year, up to $500 for each additional violation within five years (§ 32-9). Enforced by the county Department of Health Services, which can also pursue nuisance abatement or injunctive relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I smoke in a county park in Sonoma County?
Does this apply inside the City of Sonoma?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sonoma County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sonoma County to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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