Trenton, NJ Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Article II of Chapter 54, adopted July 16, 2015 by Ordinance No. 15-17, prohibits smoking under § 54-8A in all public parks and recreation facilities owned or leased by the City of Trenton, as well as any City-owned or leased property where the public is invited or permitted to gather for recreational activities, including adjacent parking areas, driveways, and drive aisles that have been designated with no-smoking signs. Section 54-8B separately bans smoking in any vehicle registered to the City of Trenton. 'Smoking' is defined broadly in § 54-7 to cover burning, inhaling, exhaling, or possessing a lit cigar, cigarette, or pipe, or any other lit substance that can be smoked, plus inhaling or exhaling smoke or vapor from an electronic smoking device, so the ban reaches vaping as well as traditional tobacco.

Section 54-9 requires a sign reading "Smoke-Free Zone" or "This Public Property is 100% Smoke Free" (or substantially similar language) to be clearly posted at every property covered by the ban, visible to the public, contrasting in color, and stating that violators are subject to a fine; the international no-smoking symbol may be included. The Health Department of the City of Trenton is designated as the enforcement authority under § 54-10. A municipal employee caught violating the ban faces potential discipline under the City's personnel policies on top of any fine, per § 54-11.