San Fernando, Cal., Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-5
Requirements for rental properties
Operative Text
The following requirements apply to multi-unit housing other than units in a common interest development that are not being rented: (1) On or before July 7, 2022, every landlord shall deliver to a tenant of each new unit or existing unit, as applicable, a copy of this chapter and a written notice clearly stating: a. All new units and existing units governed by a new lease are designated nonsmoking units and smoking is prohibited in any such unit, including any associated private balcony, porch, deck, or patio, with the exception of enclosed areas of a detached unit, as of July 7, 2022; b. All units are designated nonsmoking units and smoking is prohibited in any unit, including any associated private balcony, porch, deck, or patio, with the exception of enclosed areas of a detached unit, as of July 7, 2024; and c. All common areas with the exception of Designated Smoking Areas in compliance with section 24-2 (d) are designated nonsmoking and smoking is prohibited as of July 7, 2024; and d. The entire premises, including all units, any associated private balcony, porch, deck, or patio, and all common areas, are designated nonsmoking and smoking is prohibited anywhere on the premises effective as of July 7, 2027. (2) As of July 7, 2022, every landlord shall provide prospective tenants with written notice clearly stating that: a. All units are designated nonsmoking and smoking is prohibited in any unit, including any associated private balcony, porch, deck, or patio, with the exception of enclosed areas of a detached unit, as of July 7, 2024; and b. All common areas, with the exception of Designated Smoking Areas in compliance with section 24-2 (d) are designated nonsmoking and smoking is prohibited as of July 7, 2024; and c. The entire premises, including all units, any associated private balcony, porch, deck, or patio, and all common areas, are designated nonsmoking and smoking is prohibited anywhere on the premises effective as of July 7, 2027. (3) As of July 7, 2024, the person or persons with legal control over common areas shall post and maintain clear and unambiguous "No Smoking" signs at entrances and exits, in common areas, and in conspicuous places adjoining the property grounds. In addition, as of July 7, 2024, the person or persons with legal control over the multi-unit housing shall post and maintain signs in sufficient numbers and locations in the multi-unit housing to indicate that smoking is prohibited in all units. The absence of signs shall not be a defense to a violation of any provision of this chapter. "No Smoking" signs are not required inside or on doorways of units. (4) Landlords with knowledge of violations shall take reasonable steps to investigate and enforce the regulations, including a written notice to the resident of the landlord's knowledge of the violation, a request to cease the violation, and the course of action to be taken if the violation is not corrected. The landlord shall also provide resources provided by the City and/or County of Los Angeles to assist with nicotine dependence, such as referrals to quitline or online resources.
San Fernando Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-5 establishes a phased timeline under which multi-unit rental properties must transition to fully smoke-free status. Beginning July 7, 2022, landlords were required to notify both current and prospective tenants in writing about the smoking prohibitions taking effect in 2022, 2024, and 2027. By July 7, 2024, 'No Smoking' signage must be posted throughout common areas and in sufficient locations to indicate that all units are smoke-free, and by July 7, 2027, the entire premises—including all units, private outdoor spaces, and common areas—becomes a designated nonsmoking environment. Landlords who become aware of smoking violations are also required to take documented steps to address them and provide cessation resources to residents.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under San Fernando Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-5, compliant property operators generally maintain records showing that written notices were delivered to all existing tenants and provided to prospective tenants on or before July 7, 2022, clearly describing each phase of the smoking prohibition. As of July 7, 2024, operators post and maintain 'No Smoking' signs at entrances, exits, common areas, and in sufficient numbers throughout the property to communicate the unit-wide prohibition. When a landlord becomes aware of a smoking violation, compliant practice includes sending a written notice to the resident acknowledging the violation, requesting that it cease, and providing City and/or County of Los Angeles nicotine cessation resources such as quitline referrals.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
San Fernando Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-5 gives tenants the right to receive written notice—before or by July 7, 2022—explaining the phased smoking prohibitions that apply to their unit, private outdoor spaces, and common areas through 2027. Tenants in properties that lack required signage or have not received the mandated written disclosures may have grounds to raise those omissions when addressing compliance concerns, and the ordinance explicitly states that the absence of signs is not a defense for a violator. Tenants who believe their landlord has failed to meet the notice, signage, or enforcement obligations under § 24-5 may consider contacting the City of San Fernando or a local tenant-rights organization to understand available complaint and enforcement pathways.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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