Chapter 8.24
PUBLIC PLACES AND DWELLINGS, MULTI-UNIT SMOKING
Sections:
8.24.010 Findings and purpose.
8.24.030 Application of chapter to City-owned vehicles and facilities.
8.24.040 Prohibition of smoking in public places and dwellings, multi-unit.
8.24.050 Regulation of smoking in places of employment.
8.24.070 Smoking in optional areas.
8.24.110 Violations and penalties.
8.24.130 Other applicable laws.
8.24.010 Findings and purpose.
A. Numerous scientific studies have found that tobacco smoke is a major contributor to indoor air pollution.
B. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has classified environmental tobacco smoke as one of only 12 Class-A carcinogens to which there is no safe level of exposure.
C. Scientific studies assessed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency have found that sidestream and secondhand tobacco smoke causes the death of at least 53,000 nonsmokers annually and is a leading cause of preventable premature death and disability among nonsmokers in the United States.
D. Reliable scientific studies, including studies by the Surgeon General of the United States and studies commissioned and assessed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, have shown that breathing sidestream or secondhand tobacco smoke is a significant health hazard to nonsmokers, particularly to children and teens, the elderly, individuals with cardiovascular disease, and individuals with impaired respiratory function.
E. Health hazards induced by exposure to environmental tobacco smoke include lung and other forms of cancer, respiratory infection, decreased respiratory function, decreased exercise tolerance, bronchoconstriction and bronchospasm, and that the most common cause of premature death from environmental tobacco smoke is heart disease.
F. Persons, particularly employees and tenants in multi-unit dwellings, have a right to a smoke-free environment.
G. Nonsmokers with allergies, respiratory diseases and those who suffer other ill effects of breathing sidestream or secondhand tobacco smoke may experience a loss of job productivity or may be forced to take periodic sick leave because of adverse reactions to same.
H. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has concluded that the nicotine in tobacco products is a powerful addictive drug and identifies nicotine addiction as the most widespread example of drug dependence in the United States.
I. The Surgeon General of the United States has found that nicotine in tobacco products is as addictive as cocaine and heroin.
J. Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of fires, and cigarette and cigar burns and ash stains on merchandise and fixtures cause economic losses to businesses.
K. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that electronic smoking devices, which deliver an inhalable dose of nicotine or other chemicals by vaporized solution, may contain carcinogens and other toxic chemicals such as diethylene glycol that have been found addictive and harmful to public health.
L. The safety of electronic smoking devices, and the health effects of those exposed to vapor emitted by such devices, is unknown because such safety and health effects have not been fully studied.
M. The use of electronic smoking devices in public places and places of employment frustrates efforts to enforce and comply with smoke-free regulations related to tobacco.
N. Secondhand smoke exposure causes as many as 300,000 children in the United States to suffer from lower respiratory tract infections, exacerbates childhood asthma, and increases the risk of acute, chronic, middle ear infections.
Accordingly, the City Council of the City of Healdsburg finds and declares that the purposes of this chapter are:
1. To protect public health, safety and general welfare;
2. To guarantee the right of nonsmokers to breathe air free of tobacco smoke and noxious vapor and to recognize that the need to breathe air free of tobacco smoke and noxious vapor has priority over the desire to smoke tobacco products and electronic smoking devices;
3. To reduce addiction to tobacco products by youth and young adults;
4. To discourage the use of tobacco or other weeds, plants or devices that produce noxious smoke or vapor around persons who do not use such products;
5. To protect the public from exposure to tobacco smoke or noxious vapor and other weeds, plants or devices that produce noxious smoke or vapor and to reduce smoking-related pollution; and
6. Affirming and promoting family atmosphere at City parks and City-sponsored events. (Ord. 1225 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1186 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1136 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1040 § 2, 2006; Ord. 893 § 2, 1994. Code 1964 § 10-30.)
8.24.020 Definitions.
The following words and phrases, whenever used in this chapter, shall be construed as defined in this section, unless it is apparent from the context that they have a different meaning:
A. “Bar” means a separate establishment which is devoted to the serving of alcoholic beverages and in which the serving of food is incidental to the consumption of such beverages, including cocktail lounge or tavern. A bar, cocktail lounge, or tavern which is in the same building as and part of a restaurant is not considered under this definition of a bar, except if physically separated by full walls from the remaining room(s) of the restaurant and in which no person under the age of 18 years is allowed to enter, except to travel to restroom facilities or a nonbar portion of the restaurant.
B. “Business” means any sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, corporation or other business entity formed for profit-making purposes, including retail establishments where goods or services are sold, as well as professional corporations and other entities under which professional services are delivered.
C. “City” means the City of Healdsburg.
D. “Common area” means any area of a multi-unit dwelling which residents of more than one unit of that multi-unit building are entitled to enter or use, including but not limited to halls, pathways, lobbies, courtyards, elevators, stairwells, community rooms, laundry facilities, picnic areas and other eating areas within the site of a multi-unit dwelling.
E. “Dwellings, multi-unit” means any structure containing two or more dwelling units, with one or more shared walls, floors or ceilings, including but not limited to apartment buildings, condominium complexes, senior and assisted living facilities, and long-term health care facilities.
F. “Employee” means any person who is employed by any employer in consideration for direct or indirect monetary wages or profit, including those employed full-time, part-time, temporarily or contracted for from a third party.
G. “Employer” means any person, partnership, corporation, or nonprofit entity who employs the services of one or more persons, including themselves.
H. “Enclosed” means closed in by a roof and four or more connected, floor-to-ceiling walls with appropriate openings for ingress and egress. If an enclosed area is divided by internal partial walls or other “office landscaping,” it is still, in its entirety, enclosed. This would include but not be limited to lobbies, lounges, waiting areas, elevators, hallways, restrooms, stairwells, common areas (e.g., laundry and recreation rooms within a multi-unit building) that are a structural part of the building.
I. “Landlord” means any person or agent of a person who owns, manages, or is otherwise legally responsible for a unit in a multi-unit dwelling that is leased to a residential tenant.
J. “Nonprofit entity” means any corporation, unincorporated association or other entity created for charitable, philanthropic, educational, character-building, political, social or other similar purposes, the net proceeds from the operations of which are not for private financial gain. A public agency is not a “nonprofit entity” within the meaning of this chapter.
K. “Place of employment” means any enclosed area under the control of a public or private employer which employees normally frequent during the course of employment. A private residence is not a “place of employment” unless it is used as a child care or health care facility.
L. “Private function” means a gathering of persons for the purpose of deliberation, education, instruction, entertainment, amusement, or dining where membership or specific invitation is a prerequisite to entry and where such event is not intended for attendance by the public.
M. “Public place” means any enclosed area to which the public is invited or in which the public is permitted.
N. “Public recreation area” means a public park or other public recreation area within the City of Healdsburg including, but not limited to, the following: Badger Park, Barbieri Brothers Park, Byron Gibbs Park, Carson Warner Memorial Skatepark, Chamber of Commerce turf areas, Foss Creek Trail and Pathway, Giorgi Park, Healdsburg Plaza Park (including perimeter sidewalks abutting Plaza Park), the municipal swimming pool, the museum grounds located at 221 Matheson Street, Railroad Park located on Front Street, Recreation Park (including the concession stand, picnic areas, and the parking lot), West Plaza Park (not including the parking lot areas), Villa Chanticleer (including the parking lot areas), and all athletic fields. When a “special event” permit is issued by the community services department, the “smoke-free” designation shall include the entire permitted event perimeter, including closed streets and perimeter sidewalks.
O. “Restaurant” means any coffee shop, cafeteria, including private and public school cafeteria, sandwich stand, and any other eating establishment and associated outdoor eating area, which gives or offers for sale food to the public, guests, or employees, as well as kitchens in which food is prepared on the premises for serving elsewhere, including catering functions, except that the term “restaurant” shall not include a cocktail lounge or tavern if said cocktail lounge or tavern is a “bar” as defined in subsection (A) of this section.
P. “Smoking” means inhaling or exhaling from, or burning or carrying, any lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, cannabis, plant, or other combustible substance whose smoke is intended to be inhaled, or inhaling or exhaling from any electronic smoking device. Smoking includes the use of an electronic cigarette, electronic smoking device that creates an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or in any form, or the use of any oral smoking device for the purpose of circumventing the prohibition of smoking.
Q. “Sports arena” means an enclosed sports pavilion, gymnasium, health spa, boxing arena, swimming pool, roller and ice rink, bowling alley and other similar places where members of the general public assemble to either engage in physical exercise, participate in athletic competition or witness sports events.
R. “Tobacco product” means (1) product containing, made from, or derived from tobacco or nicotine that is intended for human consumption, whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, or snuff; (2) an electronic device that delivers nicotine or other vaporized liquids to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, cigar, pipe, or hookah; (3) any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product, whether or not sold separately. Tobacco products do not include products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for sale as a tobacco cessation product or for other therapeutic purposes where the product is marketed and sold solely for such an approved purpose.
S. “Tobacco retailer” means any person or governmental entity that operates a store, stand, booth, concession, or other place at which sales of tobacco products are made to purchasers for consumption or use.
T. “Unit” means a personal dwelling space within a multi-unit building, including but not limited to “dwellings, multi-unit” as defined in this section.
U. “Work area” or “workplace” means any area of a place of employment enclosed by floor-to-ceiling walls in which one or more employees are assigned to perform work for an employer. (Ord. 1225 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1186 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1142 § 1 (Exh. A), 2014; Ord. 1136 § 2, 2014; Ord. 1040 § 3, 2006; Ord. 893 § 2, 1994. Code 1964 § 10-31.)
8.24.030 Application of chapter to City-owned vehicles and facilities.
All City-owned vehicles and all enclosed facilities owned or controlled by the City shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 1225 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1186 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1118 § 2, 2012; Ord. 893 § 2, 1994. Code 1964 § 10-32.)
8.24.040 Prohibition of smoking in public places and dwellings, multi-unit.
A. Except as otherwise provided, smoking shall be prohibited in all enclosed public places and multi-unit dwellings within the City of Healdsburg, including, but not limited to, the following places:
1. All areas available to and customarily used by the general public and all areas of business establishments and nonprofit entities generally accessible to the public, including, but not limited to, the public area of retail stores, banks, laundromats, beauty and barbershops, hotels/motels, attorneys’ and other offices.
2. Elevators and stairways.
3. Buses, taxicabs, and other means of public transit that are owned by, or operated under the authority of, the City of Healdsburg, and ticket, boarding, and waiting areas of public transit depots.
4. Public restrooms.
5. Service lines.
6. Retail food marketing establishments, including grocery stores and supermarkets.
7. Bars and restaurants.
8. Public areas of galleries, libraries, and museums when open to the public.
9. Any facility which is primarily used for exhibiting motion pictures, stage productions, lectures, musical recitals or other similar performances, except when smoking is part of such production.
10. Sports arenas and convention halls.
11. Rooms, chambers, or other enclosed areas, including school buildings, where a meeting is being held which is or can be attended by the general public.
12. Waiting rooms, reception areas, hallways, wards and rooms of health facilities, including, but not limited to, hospitals, clinics, treatment facilities and doctors’ and dentists’ offices.
13. Child day care facilities as defined in the California Health and Safety Code and private residences while used as family day care homes.
14. Lobbies, hallways, and other common areas in apartment buildings, condominiums, retirement facilities, nursing homes and other multiple-unit residential facilities.
15. Lobbies, hallways, and other common areas in multiple-unit commercial facilities.
16. Polling places.
17. Dwellings, multi-unit buildings. Where existing multi-unit dwellings currently provide housing to active smokers, a one-year time limit from the date of adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter to cease such activity shall be implemented and all new units shall comply upon building occupancy.
18. Hotel/motel rooms – 100 percent of all rooms rented.
B. Smoking shall be prohibited in the following outdoor areas:
1. Within 20 feet of entrances, exits, open windows, or ventilation intake systems of any building, other than a “public building” (as defined by Government Code Section 7596(a)), where smoking is prohibited.
2. Multi-unit building common areas, except that a person with legal control over a multi-unit building common area, such as a landlord, property manager or homeowners’ association, may designate a portion of the multi-unit building common area as a smoking area; provided, that distance requirements to entrances, exits, open windows, or ventilation intake systems of a multi-unit building are met and are compliant with the criteria set out in subsection (B)(1) of this section.
3. Any public recreation area, as defined by HMC 8.24.020(N), including all public spaces within 20 feet of a public recreation area.
4. Stairways of public buildings or buildings where members of the public are invited.
5. Any event at which a special event permit is issued by the City’s parks and recreation department, such as farmer’s markets, street fairs, street dances, etc.
6. Seating provided by restaurants and bars.
C. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, any owner, operator, manager or other person who controls any establishment or facility may declare that entire establishment or facility as a nonsmoking establishment.
D. No person shall dispose of any tobacco product, or any tobacco litter or waste, including without limitation cigarette or cigar butts, in any public recreation area or at any City-sponsored event, such as farmer’s markets, street fairs, street dances, etc. (Ord. 1225 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1186 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1118 § 2, 2012; Ord. 1040 §§ 4, 5, 2006; Ord. 893 § 2, 1994. Code 1964 § 10-33.)
8.24.050 Regulation of smoking in places of employment.
A. It shall be the responsibility of employers to provide a smoke-free workplace for all employees.
B. Smoking shall be prohibited in all enclosed facilities within a place of employment without exception. This includes common work areas, auditoriums, classrooms, conference and meeting rooms, private offices, elevators, hallways, medical facilities, cafeterias, employee lounges, stairs and stairways, restrooms, vehicles, and all other enclosed facilities.
C. All employers shall comply with these nonsmoking provisions and shall be responsible for their implementation in their places of employment. (Ord. 1225 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1186 § 2, 2019; Ord. 893 § 2, 1994. Code 1964 § 10-34.)
8.24.060 Nonretaliation.
No person or employer shall discharge, refuse to hire, or in any manner retaliate against any employee or applicant for employment because such employee or applicant exercises any rights to a smoke-free workplace afforded by this chapter. (Ord. 1225 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1186 § 2, 2019; Ord. 893 § 2, 1994. Code 1964 § 10-35.)
8.24.070 Smoking in optional areas.
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, the following areas shall not be subject to the smoking restrictions of this chapter:
1. Private detached single-family residences, except when used as a child care or health care facility.
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any owner, operator, manager or other person who controls any establishment described in this section may declare that entire establishment as a nonsmoking establishment. (Ord. 1225 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1186 § 2, 2019; Ord. 893 § 2, 1994. Code 1964 § 10-36.)
8.24.080 Posting of signs.
A. “No Smoking” signs or the international “No Smoking” symbol (consisting of a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a red circle with a red bar across it) shall be clearly, sufficiently and conspicuously posted in every building, as well as on entrances at eye level, or other place where smoking is regulated by this chapter, by the owner, operator, manager or other person having control of such building or other place. Signs which have been removed shall be replaced within five working days.
B. Every restaurant shall have posted at every entrance a conspicuous sign clearly stating that smoking is prohibited.
C. Every hotel and motel shall have signs posted conspicuously in the registration and lobby areas which state that they are 100 percent smoke free.
D. Multi-Unit Dwellings. The person or persons with legal control over common areas shall post clear and unambiguous “No Smoking” signs in locations in common areas where smoking is prohibited by this chapter. In addition, the person or persons with legal control over the multi-unit residence shall post signs in locations in the multi-unit building to indicate that smoking is prohibited in all units. The person or persons with legal control over the common areas shall maintain such signs. The “No Smoking” signs are not required inside or on doorways of units, except for hotels or motels which meet the criteria listed in California Civil Code Section 1940, subdivision (b)(2). (Ord. 1225 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1186 § 2, 2019; Ord. 893 § 2, 1994. Code 1964 § 10-37.)
8.24.090 Regulating the manner of sale of tobacco products.
Repealed by Ord. 1142. (Ord. 1118 § 2, 2012; Ord. 893 § 2, 1994. Code 1964 § 10-38.)
8.24.100 Enforcement.
A. Any person who desires to register a complaint under this chapter may do so with the office of the City Manager or police department.
B. County health inspectors, on their regular restaurant inspections, shall check for compliance with sign-posting requirements.
C. The City shall provide notice of these regulations to all applicants for a business license.
D. The owner, operator, or manager of a business shall not be responsible for violations of this chapter within his or her premises by patrons or visitors; provided, that such patron or visitor has been adequately informed that their actions may be in violation of the law. Any owner, operator or manager of a business shall have adequately informed patrons or visitors if he or she has posted signage on the premises in accordance with this chapter. This limitation shall not apply to employees of such businesses.
E. Every lease or other rental agreement for the occupancy of a multi-unit dwelling entered into, renewed, or continued month to month as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall include smoking prohibition language. (Ord. 1225 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1186 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1136 § 3, 2014; Ord. 893 § 2, 1994. Code 1964 § 10-39.)
8.24.110 Violations and penalties.
A. It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke in any area where such action is restricted by this chapter.
B. It shall be unlawful for any person who owns, manages, operates or otherwise controls the use of any premises subject to the restrictions of this chapter to fail to comply with its provisions, with the exception noted in HMC 8.24.100(D).
C. Violations of this chapter are subject to any remedy established by law, including but not limited to those set forth in Chapter 1.12 HMC (Code Enforcement).
D. Smoking in an area where smoking is prohibited by this chapter constitutes a public nuisance. For the purpose of this chapter, nonconsensual exposure to smoke and the uninvited presence of smoke on property constitutes a nuisance and may be abated as such, including the application of any of the enforcement remedies provided in Chapter 1.12 HMC. Further, any private person(s) who is/are aggrieved by a violation of this chapter may bring a civil action for damages or for injunctive relief in accordance with applicable laws governing such civil actions. The remedies provided by this chapter are cumulative and are in addition to any other remedy or remedies available at law or in equity.
E. Nothing in this chapter is intended to be more permissive than the prohibitions on smoking set forth in Chapters 12.28 and 12.36 HMC, or any other City ordinances which regulate or prohibit smoking. In the event of any conflict between this chapter and any state law or other City ordinance that regulates or prohibits smoking, the more restrictive provisions shall be deemed to be applicable. (Ord. 1225 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1186 § 2, 2019; Ord. 1040 § 6, 2006; Ord. 893 § 2, 1994. Code 1964 § 10-40.)
8.24.120 Public education.
The City Manager or his/her designee shall be available to explain and clarify the purposes and requirements of this chapter to those affected by it upon request, and to guide owners, operators and managers in their compliance with it. (Ord. 1225 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1186 § 2, 2019; Ord. 893 § 2, 1994. Code 1964 § 10-41.)
8.24.130 Other applicable laws.
This chapter shall not be interpreted or construed to permit smoking where it is otherwise restricted by other applicable laws. (Ord. 1225 § 2, 2023; Ord. 1186 § 2, 2019; Ord. 893 § 2, 1994. Code 1964 § 10-42.)