BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills City Council will discuss a proposed ordinance to prohibit smoking in multi-unit residences on Tuesday, September 19 which was recommended by the Health and Safety Commission.

Therese Kosterman, Public Information Manager for the city of Beverly Hills indicated in a press release that   the meeting will transpire at the City Council Study Session at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber. If the new ordinance is passed, it would prohibit smoking inside and outside residential units.

In August 2016, the BH City Council asked the Health and Safety Commission to develop a policy to halt smoking in multi-family residences. The proposed regulations and ordinance have been developed over the past year at Health and Safety Commission meetings where public comment was heard. The Commission solicited public input at two special public meetings in November and December 2016.

The Commission recommended the City Council adopt an ordinance that would prohibit smoking effective January 1, 2018 in all common indoor and outdoor areas including hallways, pathways, lobbies, community rooms and laundry facilities.  The regulations would apply to all multi-unit residences that include apartments and condominiums.

The City Council will consider a proposed two-year implementation timeline where smoking would be prohibited within dwellings of both renter-occupied and owner-occupied units, including any associated exclusive-use area such as balconies, porches, decks and patios.

-Starting January 1, 2018 smoking would be prohibited within all units, including associated exclusive use areas, with a new or renewed lease.

-Starting January 1, 2019, smoking would be prohibited within apartment units, including associated exclusive use areas, regardless of the start or renewal date of a lease.

-Starting January 1, 2020, smoking would be prohibited within all condominium units and associated exclusive use areas, inclusive of all owner-occupied units and regardless of the start date of a renter’s lease.

To promote healthy living, over the past several years Beverly Hills has enacted several no-smoking policies. In 2014, the city updated the Municipal Code to include “vaping” in its definition of “smoking.” In May 2017, Beverly Hills prohibited smoking in the public right of way, unless actively travelling, and expanded the open air dining buffer zone from 5 feet to 20 feet.

Due to a provision in the Control Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64), California Health and Safety Code prohibits the smoking of cannabis or cannabis products in a location where smoking tobacco is prohibited. Proposed regulations would also apply to marijuana smoke.

“According to a 2010 report from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, approximately 8 percent of the Beverly Hills adult population smokes, which is lower than the Los Angeles County average smoking rate of 14 percent,” states the press release.

Residents, including building owners are encouraged to attend and submit public comment. For additional information on the development of the proposed ordinance and other city smoking regulations, call (310) 285-1014 or visit beverlyhills.org/smoking.