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Council approves first reading of ordinance banning smoking in city parks
Summary
Palm Coast City Council approved on first reading a code amendment to prohibit smoking and the use of vapor-generating devices in city parks; the ordinance language includes tobacco and plant-based inhalation products and will return for a second reading.
City staff presented a first reading of an ordinance that would amend Palm Coast Code, Chapter 42 (streets, roads, bridges and other public places) to ban smoking and the use of vapor-generating devices in city parks.
James Hurst, director of parks and recreation, said the ordinance implements authority in the Florida Clean Air Act and mirrors language adopted by neighboring jurisdictions. He summarized the proposed code changes: smoking would be defined to include inhaling, exhaling, burning, or otherwise using tobacco products and electronic vapor-generating devices; "tobacco products include cigarettes, pipe tobacco, filtered cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, plant products, and then again, except for unfiltered cigars," Hurst said during the presentation. The text shown to council explicitly includes marijuana and hemp or other plant-based products intended for inhalation.
Council members discussed enforcement and signage. The measure allows enforcement at the discretion of the city manager and could begin with warnings followed by stepped enforcement actions such as fines or trespass from park property. Council members said the policy should be publicized widely and tied to sports and event permits so community groups help ensure compliance. Several council members encouraged staff to update park signage to reference the ordinance once it is adopted.
Vice Mayor Pontieri moved approval of the first reading; the motion was seconded and the council recorded a unanimous vote among those present to approve the ordinance on first reading. City staff said the ordinance will return for a required second reading and the text will be finalized, including signage updates and operational guidance for enforcement.
Why it matters: the ordinance changes park rules to remove smoking exposure in public parks and playgrounds, and explicitly covers tobacco and other plant products used for inhalation. Council members said the change reflects community health priorities and aligns Palm Coast with nearby jurisdictions.
