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Yakima, WA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 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)

View official code

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?
No closer than 25 feet, under YMC § 6.80.060's presumptively reasonable buffer distance, unless the owner has obtained a shorter distance from the health department.
Does Yakima ban smoking in parks generally?
No: the Clean Indoor Air Act reaches enclosed public places, workplaces, and a 25-foot buffer around their entrances, not open-air parks generally.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Yakima

All Yakima rules

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