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San Bernardino County, CA Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified May 2026

Key Facts

Statewide rule
HSC 11362.3
Vehicle ban
CVC 23222
School buffer
Stricter penalties
Events
State license needed

Summary

California Proposition 64 and San Bernardino County rules ban smoking, vaping, or eating cannabis in public places, including streets, parks, and county buildings in unincorporated areas.

City-specific rules exist: Fontana, Chino, and San Bernardino have their own public marijuana use rules that differ from San Bernardino County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

11362.3.

(a) Section 11362.1 does not permit any person to:

(1) Smoke or ingest cannabis or cannabis products in a public place, except in accordance with Section 26200 of the Business and Professions Code.

(2) Smoke cannabis or cannabis products in a location where smoking tobacco is prohibited.

(3) Smoke cannabis or cannabis products within 1,000 feet of a school, day care center, or youth center while children are present at the school, day care center, or youth center, except in or upon the grounds of a private residence or in accordance with Section 26200 of the Business and Professions Code and only if such smoking is not detectable by others on the grounds of the school, day care center, or youth center while children are present.

(4) Possess an open container or open package of cannabis or cannabis products while driving, operating, or riding in the passenger seat or compartment of a motor vehicle, boat, vessel, aircraft, or other vehicle used for transportation.

(5) Possess, smoke, or ingest cannabis or cannabis products in or upon the grounds of a school, day care center, or youth center while children are present.

(6) Manufacture concentrated cannabis using a volatile solvent, unless done in accordance with a license under Division 10 (commencing with Section 26000) of the Business and Professions Code.

(7) Smoke or ingest cannabis or cannabis products while driving, operating a motor vehicle, boat, vessel, aircraft, or other vehicle used for transportation.

(8) Smoke or ingest cannabis or cannabis products while riding in the passenger seat or compartment of a motor vehicle, boat, vessel, aircraft, or other vehicle used for transportation except as permitted on a motor vehicle, boat, vessel, aircraft, or other vehicle used for transportation that is operated in accordance with Section 26200 of the Business and Professions Code and while no persons under 21 years of age are present.

(b) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Day care center” has the same meaning as in Section 1596.76.

(2) “Smoke” means to inhale, exhale, burn, or carry any lighted or heated device or pipe, or any other lighted or heated cannabis or cannabis product intended for inhalation, whether natural or synthetic, in any manner or in any form. “Smoke” includes the use of an electronic smoking device that creates an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or in any form, or the use of any oral smoking device for the purpose of circumventing the prohibition of smoking in a place.

(3) “Volatile solvent” means a solvent that is or produces a flammable gas or vapor that, when present in the air in sufficient quantities, will create explosive or ignitable mixtures.

(4) “Youth center” has the same meaning as in Section 11353.1.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed or interpreted to amend, repeal, affect, restrict, or preempt laws pertaining to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.

Source: California Health and Safety CodeView official code

Full Breakdown

California Health and Safety Code section 11362.3 makes it unlawful to smoke or ingest cannabis in any public place or in a location where tobacco smoking is prohibited. San Bernardino County extends those rules across unincorporated regional parks, trails, and government facilities. Driving with an open cannabis container or consuming inside a vehicle remains illegal under California Vehicle Code section 23222. The county also prohibits commercial cannabis events outside of permitted state-licensed venues, and smoking near schools or daycares is a strict-liability offense.

Violations & Fines

Public cannabis use carries infraction fines that escalate near schools, plus possible misdemeanor charges for driving while consuming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I consume cannabis in my own backyard?
Generally yes if you are 21+, on private property, and out of public view; landlords and HOAs may still ban smoking, and shared multi-family balconies often count as common areas.
Are cannabis events allowed in unincorporated SBC?
Only at venues licensed by the California Department of Cannabis Control with local approval; unsanctioned consumption events violate state and county rules and can be shut down by the Sheriff.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Bernardino County

All San Bernardino County rules

California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California public conduct overview

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Public Marijuana Use in Cities Across San Bernardino County