Chino, CA Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)

Chapter 12.22, Conduct in Public Buildings, adopted by Ord. 2019-010, § 2, in 2019, defines "smoking" at § 12.22.020(H) to mean "inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, or pipe, or any other lighted or heated tobacco, chemical substance or plant product intended for inhalation, including hookahs and marijuana, whether natural or synthetic," plus any electronic device that delivers an inhaled dose of nicotine or another substance. Built on that definition, § 12.22.030(A)(5) makes it unlawful "[t]o smoke within any public building or within twenty feet of an entrance, exit, or operable window of any public building." "Public building" is defined broadly at § 12.22.020(F) to include any city-owned or leased building used by the public, "including but not limited to, all buildings, structures, or recreational facilities located in public parks," and "premises" at § 12.22.020(E) reaches the grounds, parking lots, and entrances around the building, not just its interior.

The chapter's purpose clause, § 12.22.010, states the rule is meant to protect the public's safe use of city buildings while expressly preserving "the constitutional right to exercise protected free speech" and not conflicting with state or federal law. Section 12.22.030(B) separately makes it unlawful to knowingly disobey a staff member's directive to stop violating any part of the chapter. Enforcement is not limited to sworn officers: § 12.22.020(B) defines "enforcement officer" to include any city employee or agent designated by the city manager, including code enforcement officers and police officers.