Bylaw enforcement - smoking in parks - playgrounds - pools - sports fields

Under City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 608 Parks, smoking and vaping is prohibited in and around certain facilities within City parks.

While in a park no person shall smoke or vape (this includes cannabis) within the boundaries of a 20-metre radius surrounding the following amenities or areas in a park:

  • sports field
  • playground safety surface or playground equipment
  • wading pool basin or splash pad safety zone
  • skateboard or BMX park
  • ski hill
  • outdoor swimming pool or deck
  • covered picnic shelter or gazebo
  • outdoor theatre space
  • public washroom

While in a park no person shall smoke:

  • within any zoo or farm area
  • on a swimming beach
  • in a service line or waiting area
  • in a designated off-leash area
In accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, nothing in Chapter 608:  

(1) prohibits an Indigenous person from smoking tobacco or holding lighted tobacco there, if the activity is carried out for traditional Indigenous cultural or spiritual purposes; or  

(2) prohibits a non-Indigenous person from smoking tobacco or holding lighted tobacco there, if the activity is carried out with an Indigenous person and for traditional Indigenous cultural or spiritual purposes. 

If you have concerns about any of the smoking issues identified above, you can submit a Parks Conduct service request online at www.toronto.ca/311,or by calling 311.