Monday, June 23 2008
In an article by Jorge Casuso at www.surfsantamonica.com, the Santa Monica City Council is considering a regulation that would effectively ban smoking in all common areas of multi-unit residential properties such as apartments and condos, but would permit smoking designated smoking areas.
If approved, Santa Monica would join Oakland -- whose ordinance serves as a model for the proposed measure -- as the only other city with rent control to impose such a ban after weighing concerns it could be used by landlords to evict tenants.
While smoking in most indoor common areas is already banned by California law, the Santa Monica ordinance would follow Oakland’s lead and extend the ban to outdoor common areas, including patios, garden and pool areas and parking lots.
Under the proposed ordinance, a property owner can choose to designate a portion of an outdoor common area where smoking is allowed. The area must have a clearly marked perimeter and posted signs and must be at least 20 feet from any indoor area where smoking is banned or any outdoor area used by children.
Council to Consider Smoking Ban in Apartment, Condo Common Areas
