Seattle, WA Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SMC 12A.20.100
- Offense class
- Class 3 civil infraction
- Base fine
- ~$50 under RCW 7.80.120 schedule
- Penalty tied to
- Same as public alcohol use (SMC 12A.24.150)
- Enforcement priority
- Lowest priority for adult personal use (SMC 12A.20.060)
Summary
SMC 12A.20.100 makes it unlawful to open a package of, or consume, marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana-infused products, or marijuana concentrates in view of the general public or in a public place. Unlike most Title 12A offenses this is only a class 3 civil infraction, not a crime, with the penalty set to match public alcohol consumption.
A. It is unlawful to open a package containing or consume marijuana, useable marijuana, marijuana-infused products, or marijuana concentrates, reasonably identifiable by sight or smell as marijuana or a product derived from marijuana, in view of the general public or in a public place. A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 3 civil infraction under chapter 7.80 RCW. The penalty shall be set by Municipal Court local rule and be consistent with the penalty for public consumption of alcohol.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 44 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
B defines "public place" expansively, streets, alleys, school grounds, public dance halls, licensed beer establishments, stores, theaters, garages, public transit, parks, playgrounds, and any similar place the public has unrestricted access to and generally uses. A, which likewise classifies the alcohol offense as a class 3 civil infraction. 120, a class 3 infraction carries a base monetary penalty of $50 before statutory assessments are added, though Municipal Court local rule ultimately fixes the exact amount. 060 directs SPD and the City Attorney's Office to make investigation, arrest, and prosecution of marijuana offenses involving adult personal use, a category that includes this public-consumption ban, among the City's lowest law enforcement priorities, so citations are issued far more often than custodial enforcement.
Violations & Fines
A violation is a class 3 civil infraction, not a crime: no arrest or criminal record results. The base fine tracks RCW 7.80.120's class 3 schedule (around $50 plus statutory assessments) as fixed by Municipal Court local rule, matching the penalty for open-container alcohol violations under SMC 12A.24.150.A.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get arrested for smoking marijuana in public in Seattle?
Does Washington's legal marijuana law let me smoke it anywhere?
How much is the fine for smoking marijuana in public in Seattle?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Seattle
Compare Seattle to another location·View the Washington public conduct overview
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Public Marijuana Use in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle public marijuana use.