Multi-Unit Housing Smoking Regulations

On June 6, 2022, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1710, adding Chapter 24 to the San Fernando Municipal Code (SFMC) to prohibit smoking in multi-unit housing. This smoking ban applies to all multi-unit properties (two or more units) in the City, including duplexes, condominiums and apartments. It does not apply to single-family residential properties. The smoking regulations apply to traditional tobacco smoke, electronic cigarettes/vaping devices, and marijuana smoke.

Effective July 7, 2022

• Smoking is prohibited in new, renewed, or extended leases for all multi-unit housing and associated outdoor exclusive-use unenclosed areas such as private balcony, deck, porch, or patio.
• Smoking is permitted inside the enclosed area of a detached unit, but no smoking is allowed in any outdoor exclusive-use unenclosed areas such as balconies, decks or patios associated with a detached unit. Smoking inside detached unit is allowed until July 7, 2027.

Effective July 7, 2024

• Smoking is prohibited anywhere on the premises of a Multi-Unit Housing as follows.
  • In all units, together with any associated outdoor exclusive-use areas such as balconies, decks, or patios; and
  • In all common areas and other outdoor areas except for a Designated Smoking Area established in compliance with the Ordinance.
• Landlords or Homeowner Association (HOA) may provide Designated Smoking Area.

Landlords and homeowners associations have specific requirements to achieve compliance. Those include the following summarized below.

• Distribution of the ordinance and written notice to tenants/owners regarding smoking restrictions by July 7, 2022. (View Notice Letter Template(PDF, 339KB))
• Inclusion of language prohibiting smoking in all new leases or extended/renewed leases by July 7, 2022. See sample language in the Ordinance.
• Posting of "No Smoking" signage by July 7, 2024. (View Sample Signage(PDF, 94KB)) This is a sample sign only. Generic signs with the international red no-smoking symbol may be purchased off-the-shelf at many office or hardware supply stores. The Municipal Code references are not required.
• Removal of ash trays or similar receptacles used primarily for smoking waste in all common areas by July 7, 2024.
• Take steps to investigate and enforce the regulations, including a written notice to the resident of the landlord's knowledge of the violation, a request to cease the violation, and the course of action to be taken if the violation is not corrected.
• Provide resources to tenants offered by the City and/or County of Los Angeles to assist with nicotine dependence, such as referrals to quitline or online resources.

Download a copy of the Ordinance No. 1710(PDF, 616KB).

If you have questions about the new ordinance, please email CommunityDevelopment@sanfernando.gov or call (818) 898-1227.

Smoking violations are considered a civil matter between individuals. However, to report violations related to signage and designated smoking areas (DSA), please contact the City of San Fernando Community Preservation Division by email at CodeEnforcement@sanfernando.gov or by phone at (818) 898-1227.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)