Burlington Smoking Ordinance

In November 2012, Burlington’s City Council passed an amendment to the city’s smoking ordinance banning smoking in businesses adjacent to restaurants.

According to North Carolina state law, smoking is already prohibited in restaurants. The new amendment helps ensure smoke from nearby businesses does not drift into restaurants.

Since December 1, 2013, smoking has been prohibited in “enclosed areas to which the public is invited or allowed when such enclosed areas are located within a building or structure which houses multiple tenants or occupancies, and such enclosed area or business is located immediately adjacent to a restaurant located within the same structure.”

Currently in Burlington, there are 108 restaurants that are immediately adjacent to other businesses. And there about 160 adjacent tenants whose businesses will now have to be smoke-free, or issued citations for noncompliance. The fire department and city staff have notified businesses adjacent to restaurants.

To view the ordinance please visit: http://www.burlingtonnc.gov/index.aspx?nid=1438