Politics & Government

Have Questions on the City's New Smoking Ordinance? We Have Answers

New outdoor smoking regulations go into effect on Jan. 1. Do you know what they mean for you?

The City of Coronado released this Q&A to help residents and business owners understand the new outdoor smoking regulations that take effect on Jan. 1.

Where is smoking prohibited outdoors in Coronado?

Public Property: Besides the City’s current prohibition on smoking in parks and beaches, the new ordinance prohibits smoking on all public property, including streets, highways, alleys, rights of way, parkways, sidewalks, parking lots and pathways.

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Public or Private Property Within 25 Feet of an Enclosed Building: Smoking also is not allowed on public or private property within 25 feet of a doorway or window of an enclosed building, in which smoking is prohibited. Smoking, however, may be permitted in an outdoor dining area if a majority of the outdoor dining area is located on private property. See details below.

Private Property When Open to the General Public: Smoking is prohibited on outdoor private property if it is open to the general public for an event, recreational purposes or as a service area, such as ATMs, tickets lines, parking stands, etc.

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Are there any exceptions?

Golf Course: Smoking continues to be allowed at the Coronado Golf Course.

Outdoor Dining: Smoking may be allowed on an outdoor dining patio if it is exclusively located on private property and the owner permits it. If a restaurant’s outdoor dining area is located on both private and public property, the larger of the two dining areas will determine if smoking is allowed. If the larger portion of a contiguous outdoor dining area is on private property, smoking can be allowed in both areas. If the larger area is on public property, smoking is prohibited in both areas.

Where is smoking allowed in Coronado?

Private Property: Smoking continues to be allowed outdoors on private property, with the exceptions noted above. This includes, but is not limited to, private parking lots, patios, lawns, and designated smoking areas, as long as these areas are at least 25 feet from a doorway or window and the property owner permits smoking.

Residential Property: Smoking is allowed on all outdoor residential property, regardless of its distance away from any doorway or window.

Private Vehicles: People may smoke in their private vehicles.

How will these new outdoor smoking regulations be enforced?

Public Responsibility: Those responsible for an outdoor area in which smoking is prohibited shall not knowingly allow smoking in that area. In addition, they shall post “No Smoking” or “Smoke Free” signs at the point of ingress and one other conspicuous place within the outdoor no smoking area.

City Responsibility: The City will be replacing existing signage in the business districts, parks, beaches, parking lots and walkways with new signage stating there is “No Smoking on Public Property.” The City anticipates that most people will voluntarily comply with these new regulations. However, City Code Enforcement staff and the Police Department will respond to complaints of smoking violations and request voluntary compliance. In the rare case of non-compliance, the City has the ability to issue a citation in an amount up to $100 for the first offense.

Does the City’s new smoking ordinance address electronic cigarettes?

The City’s new smoking ordinance contains no restrictions on electronic cigarettes. 


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