Yakima, WA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Buffer distance
- 25 feet from entrances/exits
- Max civil fine
- $100
- Covers
- Enclosed public places and workplaces
- Buffer can shrink if
- Owner proves smoke won't reach entrance
Summary
Yakima's Clean Indoor Air Act bans smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces and pushes smokers back 25 feet from entrances, exits and windows: it does not ban smoking in open-air parks generally.
Smoking is prohibited within a presumptively reasonable minimum distance of twenty-five feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes that serve an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited so as to ensure that tobacco smoke does not enter the area through entrances, exits, open windows, or other means. Owners, operator, managers, employers, or other persons who own or control a public place or place of employment may seek to rebut the presumption that twenty-five feet is a reasonable minimum distance by making application to the director of the local health department or district in which the public place or place of employment is located. The presumption will be rebutted if the applicant can show by clear and convincing evidence that, given the unique circumstances presented by the location of entrances, exits, windows that open, ventilation intakes, or other factors, smoke will not infiltrate or reach the entrances, exits, open windows, or ventilation intakes or enter into such public place or place of employment and, therefore, the public health and safety will be adequately protected by a lesser distance. (Ord. 2005-83 § 1 (part), 2005)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4980636; v1 updated 2026-08-03; through 08-03-2026).
Full Breakdown
YMC § 6.80.020 bars smoking in any public place or place of employment, defined to reach enclosed buildings and vehicles open to the public. YMC § 6.80.060 extends that indoor ban outward: smoking is presumptively prohibited within 25 feet of entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes serving an area where smoking is banned, so smoke can't drift back inside. A building owner can seek a smaller buffer from the local health department by showing smoke won't reach the entrance.
Violations & Fines
Intentionally smoking in violation is a civil infraction carrying a fine of up to $100, enforced by local law enforcement issuing a notice of infraction, or by the local health department for owner/posting violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to a Yakima building entrance can I smoke?
Does Yakima ban smoking in parks generally?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima
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