Belmont, CA –The City of Belmont adopted an ordinance in November 2007 regulating secondhand smoke.

As of January 9, 2009, smoking will be prohibited in individual units and their patio/yard areas of multi-unit, multi-story residences (apartments, condominiums, and townhouses) that share common floors and/or ceilings with at least one other such unit. Landlords will be required to insert no-smoking provisions in any new or renewed residential leases; the California Apartment Association has provided an approved form for this purpose. Landlords may designate outdoor smoking areas if they are more than 20’ away from operable doors or windows used by the public. Smoking in indoor common areas of multi-unit residences was already prohibited by a prior ordinance, and the new ordinance continued that prohibition.

The City of Belmont will hold an open public meeting to discuss how the new ordinance applies to multi-story residences for Owners, Manager and occupants. The meeting will occur on October 2, 2008 in the Belmont Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m. Representatives of the City as well as other community organizations will be present to answer questions and distribute materials. Refreshments will be provided.

The ordinance and many related materials and resources can be found on the City’s website at www.belmont.gov. Click on “Hot Topics” at the top of the Home Page to access these materials. Materials are also available at a kiosk in the City Hall lobby

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Distribution:

The San Mateo Times

The San Mateo Daily News

The San Mateo Daily Journal

The Examiner/Independent

Council, Commissioners,

Chamber, Neighborhood Assoc. presidents, SMT, PIC, web