Santa Monica is a leader in protecting its residents and visitors from the harms of second-hand smoke. Our goal is to educate all of our residents, businesses and visitors about our smoke-free rules so we can all enjoy a more healthy community.
Smoking is now prohibited in residential common areas, as well as all of these places..
September 9, 2010 - Smokers in Santa Monica are no longer allowed to light up while on balconies or porches near homes.
The Santa Monica City Council strengthened the city's protections against second-hand smoke by adopting an ordinance Aug. 10 that expands the smoke-free outdoor areas at multi-unit residential properties to a 25-foot radius around all doors, windows, and vents. This includes all private balconies, patios, porches, and decks within the 25-foot radius and also covers areas on neighboring properties that are within 25 feet of a door, window or vent. (Santa Monica, California - City Council expands smoking ban to multi-unit residential balconies and porches..)
Existing city law already prohibits smoking in common areas that are usable by more than one unit of the property - such as yards, walkways and play areas.
Under the law, a person who smokes in a restricted area is subject to a court-ordered payment of $100 for the first offense. Subsequent violations carry payments of $200 and $500 respectively, according to the city attorney's office. Any person can bring a case to court.
The law also requires landlords and homeowners' associations to do two things:
Post at least one conspicuous sign in the common area notifying residents of the law and the remedy; and Give notice by Dec. 1 to all affected units of the new covered locations and the remedies for violations.
For information and for downloadable signs and notices, www.smconsumer.org..
Reference: Smoking ban on residential balconies, porches takes effect, Argonaut Newspaper, 9/9/2010.
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