Tacoma, WA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- All city and Metro Parks land
- Covers
- Smoking and vaping alike
- Exception
- FDA-approved cessation products only
- Violation class
- Class 4 civil infraction
- Scope
- Entire park, not just buildings
Summary
Tacoma bans smoking or vaping any nicotine product anywhere in a city or Metropolitan Park District park, with a narrow exception for FDA-approved cessation aids like patches or gum, under TMC § 8.27.085.
It is unlawful for any person to smoke or vape any product derived from or containing nicotine within a park, unless the product has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as a tobacco cessation product, such as transdermal nicotine patches, nicotine gum and nicotine lozenges, or for the other medically approved purposes and is being used for that approved purpose. For the purposes of this section, “smoke” or “smoking” means the carrying, holding, or smoking of any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other object that is lighted and used for smoking. A violation of this section is a class 4 civil infraction, not including statutory assessments. Such penalty is in addition to any other remedies or penalties provided by law. (Ord. 27841 Ex. A, 2009-10-20; Ord. 28615 Ex. A, 2019-10-01)
Full Breakdown
Tacoma's Park Code prohibits lighting a cigarette, cigar, or pipe, or vaping any nicotine-derived product, anywhere within a park, not just near playgrounds or buildings. Parks are broadly defined to include City of Tacoma and Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma facilities: squares, boulevards, golf courses, zoos, beaches, playgrounds, and community centers. The only exception is for FDA-approved tobacco-cessation products used for their approved purpose, such as nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges. Recreational vaping and smoking are covered everywhere in a park, including trails and open lawns, not just near structures.
Violations & Fines
Smoking or vaping in a park is a class 4 civil infraction under TMC § 8.27.085, punishable by a fine, in addition to any other remedy or penalty the law otherwise allows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I vape on a bench in a Tacoma park?
Are nicotine patches or gum allowed in Tacoma parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
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Outdoor Smoking Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle outdoor smoking restrictions.