Proposal needs clarity, consistency before adoption
A proposed ban on smoking in Santa Rosa apartment communities contains an unreasonably aggressive timeline and fails to offer landlords clear direction regarding their responsibilities.
The California Apartment Association is calling on the Santa Rosa City Council to revise the draft ordinance, which it will consider at its meeting next week.
CAA is urging its members to write letters to council members and attend the council meeting at Santa Rosa City Hall.
CAA also is urging its members to write letters to council members, and if possible, attend the council meeting, which is scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, at Santa Rosa City Hall, 100 Santa Rosa Ave.
Over the past several months, CAA has worked closely with the city to develop an ordinance that balances the needs of rental property owners and the health and safety of residents.
The ordinance before the council, however, lacks sufficient guidelines for property owners and managers wanting to comply with the new law. Moreover, the ordinance rolls out the smoking ban too rapidly.
Before adopting the ordinance, CAA asks that the city provide:
- An additional 30 days to phase in the prohibition in common areas.
- Clarity on the landlord’s role in enforcing the ordinance.
To get involved – Email the council
Send an e-mail to the Santa Rosa City Council asking members for additional time to implement the new regulations and to clarify the property owner’s role in enforcement of the new no-smoking law.
Feel free to cut and paste the text in the blue box to the lower right for your email and consider including your own experiences and thoughts. Send emails to citycouncil@srcity.org.
Dear Mayor Sawyer & Councilmembers,
I operate rental property in Santa Rosa. I am proud to provide a quality, safe place for people to call home.
I am committed to the health and safety of my residents and appreciate your efforts to reduce the negative health effects of smoking in our community. Before adopting the proposed smoking ordinance, I respectfully request your consideration of the following:
- Provide rental owners 60 days from the effective date of the ordinance before common areas (pools, walkways, etc) must be non-smoking. This additional time will provide me with adequate time to update house rules, post signs, and educate my residents about the new prohibition.
- This ordinance requires that landlords support the implementation and enforcement of smoking prohibition in multifamily residences. The current language outlining a rental property owner’s role to comply and enforce the ordinance is vague. Rental property owners need specific and clear steps they must take to be in compliance.
Your incorporation of these two considerations will ensure a more successful implementation of this ordinance.
I appreciate the City’s collaborative approach to promote the public’s health.
Thank you for your continued leadership on this important issue.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
Attend the meeting
The Santa Rosa City Council is set to consider the proposed smoking law at its Tuesday meeting at Santa Rosa City Hall, 100 Santa Rosa Ave. The meeting begins at 4 p.m.
If you plan to attend, please email CAA at northcoast@caanet.org.