Waco, TX Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Waco's smoking article, Code of Ordinances ch. 16, art. IV, bans smoking in all enclosed public places under § 16-121(a) and then extends the ban outdoors under § 16-121(b) to "non-enclosed public places": city parks and playgrounds as defined in the article, and any public event held on city-owned or city-occupied property. Section 16-121(c) separately bans smoking in every enclosed area the city owns or occupies, including buildings and vehicles, and lets the city manager designate additional non-enclosed city-controlled areas as nonsmoking. Section 16-123 adds a 15-foot buffer: smoking is prohibited within 15 feet of any entrance, window, ventilation system or other opening of an enclosed area where smoking is banned.

Section 16-124 carves out narrow exceptions, including golf courses between the tee of the first hole and the green of the last (putting greens, practice tees and the junior course stay off-limits), specially marked smoking areas at Cameron Park, Brazos Park East and the Riverbend Athletic Fields, and event-specific smoking zones approved by the city's special events committee at named parks. "Park" is defined broadly to include the Waco Mammoth Site, Cameron Park Zoo, athletic fields, nature preserves, golf courses and swimming pools. Signage (§ 16-125) and ashtray removal are required at every no-smoking entrance.

The police department and the director of the Waco McLennan County Public Health District (or a designee) enforce the article under § 16-126, including inspections tied to other mandated inspections.