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Washington, DC Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Covers
streets, sidewalks, parks, parking areas
Also covers
vehicles parked in those areas
Penalty
misdemeanor, fine or 60 days jail
Enforced by
D.C. Attorney General's office
Tobacco patios
exempt from separate indoor smoking law

Summary

D.C. Code bans smoking or otherwise consuming marijuana in any public space in the District, including streets, sidewalks, parks, parking areas, and vehicles parked in them, or anywhere the public is invited.

Notwithstanding any other District law, it is unlawful for any person to smoke or otherwise consume marijuana in or upon a public space, or in or upon any of the following places: (1) A street, alley, park, sidewalk, or parking area; (2) A vehicle in or upon any street, alley, park, or parking area; or (3) Any place to which the public is invited.

Source: DC Smoke-Free Workplaces ActView official code

Full Breakdown

Under D.C. Code § 48-911.01(a), it is unlawful to smoke or otherwise consume marijuana in or upon a public space, or in a street, alley, park, sidewalk, or parking area, in a vehicle on any such area, or in any place to which the public is invited: this covers open-air spots like park benches and patios open to the public just as much as sidewalks. The District's separate indoor smoking ban (D.C. Code § 7-741.02) actually exempts outdoor restaurant and bar patios from its tobacco restrictions, so this marijuana-specific public-space rule is the operative outdoor smoking prohibition in the Code.

Violations & Fines

A violation is a misdemeanor: a fine under D.C. Code § 22-3571.01 or up to 60 days in jail, prosecuted by the D.C. Attorney General's office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I smoke marijuana in a D.C. park or on a sidewalk?
No. D.C. Code § 48-911.01 bans smoking or consuming marijuana in any public space, including parks, streets, sidewalks, and parking areas.
What happens if I'm caught smoking marijuana in public in D.C.?
It's a misdemeanor punishable by a fine under § 22-3571.01 or up to 60 days in jail, prosecuted by the Attorney General.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Washington

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsPublic Alcohol UseSome RestrictionsPublic Marijuana UseSome RestrictionsAggressive PanhandlingSignificant RestrictionsPublic UrinationSome RestrictionsSkateboarding RulesSome RestrictionsCurfew Laws: Juvenile CurfewHeavy RestrictionsTree Protection: Urban Forest EquityLight RestrictionsEnvironmental Rules: Heat Island MitigationSome RestrictionsZoning Overlays & Bonuses: Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC)Some RestrictionsEnvironmental Rules: Shoreline ManagementSome Restrictions

All Washington rules

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