Does Los Angeles County, CA have its own public marijuana use ordinance?

No. Los Angeles County, CA does not appear to have a local public marijuana use ordinance, California state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from California Health and Safety Code 11362.3.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County, CA Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)

Significant Restrictions

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

Key Facts

Citation: § 11.64.030 (parks: § 17.04.645)
Scope: Unincorporated LA County only
Penalty: $10–$100 fine, infraction
Cannabis added to "smoke": 2019, Ord. 2019-0011
Covers: Beaches, parks, elevators, buses, libraries

Summary

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, Code Section 11.64.030 bans smoking or vaping cannabis in public beaches, elevators, buses, museums, libraries, public meeting rooms, and near restaurants and food trucks: plus all county parks under Section 17.04.645.

City-specific rules exist: Long Beach, Pomona, Carson, Lancaster, South Gate, Norwalk, Downey, El Monte, Santa Clarita, and Glendale have their own public marijuana use rules that differ from Los Angeles County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Smoking, including the use of electronic smoking devices, or allowing smoking or the use of electronic smoking devices, is prohibited in the following places within the unincorporated area of the County of Los Angeles: ...G.Within any area of a public beach, including parking areas designated for use by the public.

Source: California Health and Safety Code 11362.3View official code

Full Breakdown

The County's smoking ban (Title 11, Chapter 11.64) defines "smoke" and "smoking" to expressly include cannabis and electronic smoking devices, per Ordinance 2019-0011. Section 11.64.030 lists nine banned locations covering public beaches, elevators, buses/bus stops, museums, libraries, indoor and outdoor healthcare facilities, meeting rooms hosting public business, and buffer zones around food trucks and outdoor dining. County parks carry a parallel ban at Section 17.04.645, enforced by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies and code enforcement issue citations under Section 11.64.060. This applies only within the unincorporated area: incorporated cities like Los Angeles set their own smoking rules.

Violations & Fines

Smoking cannabis in a posted no-smoking beach, park, elevator, bus, museum, library, or meeting room is an infraction punishable by a fine of $10 to $100 per Section 11.64.060.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I smoke marijuana on an LA County beach?

No. Smoking cannabis, including vaping, is banned on all public beaches and beach parking lots under LA County Code § 11.64.030(G), an infraction punishable by a $10–$100 fine.

Does this rule apply in the city of Los Angeles?

No. LA County Code § 11.64.030 governs only the unincorporated area; the City of Los Angeles and the county's 87 other cities enforce their own smoking ordinances.

Are LA County parks covered too?

Yes. Section 17.04.645 bans smoking, including cannabis, at all county parks and their public parking areas, with limited exceptions for permitted film or photo productions.

Sources & Official References

[1]Los Angeles County Code (Municode)

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