The Technical Assistance Legal Center (TALC) developed this Model Ordinance to help California cities and counties limit exposure to secondhand smoke in multi-unit residences such as apartment buildings, condominium complexes, senior housing, and single resident occupancy hotels. The Ordinance’s comprehensive design limits exposure to secondhand smoke by restricting smoking in common areas (indoors and outdoors), creating smokefree buffer zones, and prohibiting smoking in individual units. Communities may choose to include some or all of the options offered in the Model Ordinance, depending on the jurisdictions’ policy objectives. TALC can help adapt this Model Ordinance to meet an individual community’s needs.

You can also download the Smokefree Housing Ordinance Checklist, which highlights key policy options available in the ordinance.