No Smoking Sign Requirements: What State Laws and OSHA Say

Who has to post a no smoking sign

The duty usually falls on the person in control of the place. Illinois names the owner, operator, manager or other person in control. Washington puts it on the owner, or on the tenant or person in charge of leased space. That can reach a landlord or property manager who controls lobbies and other shared spaces. Illinois and California name lobbies as covered space. Ask your health department how your building is treated.

Some states do not require signs everywhere. Florida lets the person in charge of an enclosed indoor workplace post signs at his or her discretion, but requires a policy, and signs are required in a few special rooms. Texas ties its sign to a short list of places, such as elevators, theaters, libraries and hospitals, and leaves other businesses to city ordinances where a city has one. California treats entrance signs as a reasonable step that protects an employer when a customer or visitor smokes.

What the sign must say or show

Most laws accept either words or the international no smoking symbol. Illinois and New York describe that symbol as a burning cigarette in a circle with a bar across it, and Illinois says the circle and bar are red. New York also accepts “Vaping” or “No Vaping” signs. A few laws and rules fix the exact words:

• “No smoking” at each entrance where smoking is banned throughout the building (California)
• “Smoking is prohibited except in designated areas” at each entrance where smoking is allowed in some areas (California and Minnesota)
• “No smoking is permitted in this entire establishment” or a similar statement (Minnesota)
• A statement that smoking, aerosolizing or vaporizing is prohibited within 10 feet of entrances, exits, windows that open and ventilation intakes (Oregon)
• A notice that state law prohibits smoking there and that an offense can bring a fine of up to $500 (Texas, listed places; without it, a charge has a defense)

Letter size and where to post

Few laws give a number. Minnesota's rule asks for printed letters of not less than 0.5 inch, and the outer circle of the international symbol must be at least 3 inches across. Minnesota signs go on or just inside all outside entrances, where a person inside can easily see them. Oregon wants signs at each entrance and exit, easily seen and never obscured.

Most states stop at words like conspicuous or reasonably sized. Washington wants signs posted conspicuously at each building entrance, and in retail stores at each entrance and in prominent places throughout. The International Fire Code is a model code that cities and states adopt in their own versions. It lets the fire code official approve the content, lettering, size, color and location of required no smoking signs.

Distance from entrances, windows and air intakes

Oregon uses 10 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open and ventilation intakes. Illinois uses 15 feet from the same openings. California bans smoking within 20 feet of a main exit, entrance or operable window of a building owned or leased and occupied by the state, a county, a city or a community college district. Washington uses 25 feet.

Washington calls 25 feet presumptively reasonable, and an owner can ask the local health director for a shorter distance by showing with clear and convincing evidence that smoke will not reach the door, window or intake. HUD requires public housing agencies to ban smoking outdoors within 25 feet of their buildings. New York's section 1399-o sets distances for particular places, such as hospital entrances (15 feet), schools and libraries (100 feet), but none for workplaces in general. Florida's workplace and sign sections set no entrance distance. City rules may go further.

Does vaping count?

In most of these states, yes. California defines smoking to include electronic smoking devices that create vapor. New York bans smoking and vaping together. Illinois, Minnesota and Florida include electronic cigarettes or vaping, Oregon covers aerosolizing and vaporizing inhalants, and Texas lists e-cigarettes in its short list of places.

Washington is the exception here. Its smoke-free chapter covers lighted products. A separate vapor product chapter bans use in places such as child care facilities, schools, school buses and elevators, and lets local governments regulate vaping in indoor public places. A sign that says only “No Smoking” may not tell vapers the rule applies, so owners who want vaping covered can add No Vaping signs.

What OSHA does and does not require

OSHA says it has no regulation on smoking in the workplace, except for a limited number that treat smoking and other ignition sources as a fire risk. So OSHA has no general rule telling an office, shop or warehouse to post a no smoking sign. A state or city law or a fire official usually does.

Where fire is the hazard, OSHA is specific. The construction standard, 29 CFR 1926.151(a)(3), says smoking shall be prohibited at or near operations that are a fire hazard, and that the ban shall be conspicuously posted as “No Smoking or Open Flame.” The 2024 International Fire Code asks for a “No smoking” warning within sight of each fuel dispenser. For marine fueling it sets a 50 foot smoking limit and No Smoking signs with letters at least 4 inches high.

How to check your rule and order signs

Call your county or city health department and your fire marshal, and ask for the sign rule in writing. Ask whether a city ordinance is stricter than state law. Illinois requires local rules to be no less strict, and Minnesota lets cities add stricter ones.

Match the sign to the rule. No Smoking signs suit entrances and rooms, and No Smoking Within 25 Feet signs fit a distance rule like Washington's. Add Designated Smoking Area signs for marked smoking areas, No Smoking Within 50 Feet signs near fuel and Spanish No Smoking signs for Spanish readers. See all warning signs. This guide explains the rules in plain words and is not legal advice.

• Which words, symbol or both does my rule call for?
• Does it set a letter height or symbol size?
• How far from doors, windows and air intakes must people stand?
• Does it cover vaping and e-cigarettes?

Common questions

Sources

• California Legislative Information, Labor Code section 6404.5 (workplace smoking, entrance signs)
• California Legislative Information, Government Code sections 7596 to 7598 (smoking at public buildings, 20 feet)
• California Legislative Information, Business and Professions Code section 22950.5 (definition of smoking)
• New York State Senate, Public Health Law article 13-E (sections 1399-n, 1399-o and 1399-p)
• Illinois General Assembly, Smoke Free Illinois Act, 410 ILCS 82 (sections 10, 15, 20, 65 and 70)
• Washington State Legislature, RCW chapter 70.160, Smoking in Public Places (sections 70.160.020, 70.160.050 and 70.160.075)
• Washington State Legislature, RCW chapter 70.345, Vapor Products (sections 70.345.150 and 70.345.210)
• Oregon Secretary of State, OAR 333-015-0040, Indoor Clean Air Act: Signs (with 333-015-0035)
• Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, Minnesota Rules 4620.0500, Signs
• Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, Minnesota Statutes 144.413, Definitions (smoking) and 144.417
• Florida Senate, Florida Statutes chapter 386, part II, Smoking and Vaping (sections 386.203 to 386.209)
• Texas Constitution and Statutes, Penal Code chapter 48 (section 48.01, Smoking Tobacco)
• Texas Department of State Health Services, Secondhand Smoke and Smokefree Environments (city ordinances)
• OSHA, Frequently Asked Questions (smoking in the workplace)
• OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.151, Fire prevention (paragraph (a)(3))
• eCFR, 24 CFR 965.653, Smoke-free public housing
• International Code Council, 2024 International Fire Code, chapter 3, section 310 Smoking
• International Code Council, 2024 International Fire Code, chapter 23 (sections 2305.6 and 2310.5.5.1)

This guide explains the rules in plain words; it is not legal advice. We read the sources above on October 24, 2026. Rules change and many are set by your state or city: check the current text, or ask your local code official, before you rely on it.