Sedgwick County, KS Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer distance
- 25 feet from doors, windows, air intakes
- Covers
- Cigarettes, cigars, pipes and e-cigarettes
- Max fine
- $500 under K.S.A. 19-4716
- First step
- Verbal warning before citation
- Enforcement
- Courthouse police chief, building managers, code officers
Summary
Smoking or vaping is banned inside every county-owned, county-occupied or leased building in Sedgwick County and within 25 feet of any exterior door, operable window or air intake vent, under Sec. 20-2(b). Violators face a fine up to $500 and can be cited by the courthouse police chief, building managers or code enforcement officers.
Smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes are prohibited inside any county-owned, county-occupied or leased building and within twenty-five (25) feet of an exterior door, operable window or air intake vent. Other areas adjacent to county-owned, county-occupied or leased buildings that are clearly designated as "no-smoking" will also be prohibited from smoking and using electronic cigarettes. Areas that are not air-conditioned and are clearly marked as "designated smoking areas" are not included in the above smoking and electronic cigarette usage prohibition regardless of where they are located.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 22 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 20-2 defines a covered "building" as any enclosed heated or air-conditioned structure and defines "smoking" as possessing any lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe or other lighted tobacco product, with electronic cigarettes covered separately. " The section also carves out an exception: outdoor areas that are not air-conditioned and are clearly marked "designated smoking areas" are excluded from the ban regardless of how close they are to a building, so the county can designate a compliant spot even within the 25-foot buffer. A. 19-4701 et seq.
A. 19-4716, with the minimum set under Sec. 8-5. Subsection (g) treats each violation as a separate offense and lets the court order abatement for a continuing violation. Subsection (h) names the enforcement officers: the county courthouse police chief and designees, building managers, and county code enforcement or law enforcement officers.
Violations & Fines
A code enforcement or law enforcement officer must first give a verbal warning under Sec. 20-2(d) before issuing a uniform complaint and notice to appear in county court. A conviction carries a fine set by the court up to $500 under K.S.A. 19-4716, with each violation treated as a separate offense, and a continuing violation lets the court order additional abatement measures under Sec. 20-2(g).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is smoking banned around county buildings?
Are there any designated smoking areas?
Do I get a warning before being cited?
What's the maximum fine?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sedgwick County
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