Manteca, CA Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- Public cannabis smoking/ingestion is a nuisance
- Chapter
- 8.35, Cannabis
- Criminal penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000/6 months
- Admin fine
- Up to $500/day
Summary
Manteca's cannabis chapter declares smoking or ingesting cannabis in any public place a public nuisance, enforceable as a misdemeanor or by administrative citation.
It is hereby declared to be unlawful and a public nuisance for any person owning, leasing, occupying, or having charge or possession of any parcel within the city to create a public nuisance in the course of cultivating cannabis plants or any part thereof in any location, indoor or outdoor. A public nuisance may be deemed to exist, if such activity produces:
A. Odors which are disturbing to people of reasonable sensitivity residing or present on adjacent or nearby property or areas open to the public.
B. Responses to the parcel by law enforcement personnel.
C. A disruption to the free passage of persons or vehicles in the neighborhood, excessive noise which is disturbing to people of normal sensitivity on adjacent or nearby property or areas open to the public.
D. Any other impacts on the neighborhood which is disruptive of normal activity in the area including, but not limited to, grow lighting visible outside the dwelling, excessive vehicular traffic or parking occurring at or near the dwelling, and excessive noise emanating from the dwelling.
E. Outdoor growing or cultivation of cannabis.
F. Smoking or ingesting cannabis or cannabis products in any public place. (Ord. O2017-15 § 1; Ord. O2021-16 § 2)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4829770; v11 updated 2026-04-21).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 8.35, the city's cannabis chapter, lists smoking or ingesting cannabis or cannabis products in any public place among the activities that make cannabis use a declared public nuisance citywide, alongside disruptive odors, excessive traffic, and outdoor cultivation. Any person who violates the chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, though the city cannot impose penalties beyond what state law (Health & Safety Code § 11362.1 et seq.) allows for personal cannabis activity. The city can instead pursue administrative citations and fines, or civil injunctive relief through the city attorney.
Violations & Fines
A misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine, or an administrative citation up to $500 per day plus enforcement costs; each day of violation is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I smoke cannabis in public in Manteca?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Manteca
California rules heatmap·Compare Manteca to another location·View the California public conduct overview
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Public Marijuana Use in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Joaquin County handle public marijuana use.