San Fernando, Cal., Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-6
Requirements for common interest developments
Operative Text
The following requirements apply to common interest developments: (1) On or before July 7, 2022, the HOA shall provide to all owners of units a copy of this chapter and a written notice clearly stating that: a. All new units are designated nonsmoking and smoking is prohibited in any new 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 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; 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 seller or lessor of a unit shall provide prospective buyers or renters, a copy of this chapter and a 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 HOA, or any person having legal ownership or control over common areas, shall post and maintain clear and unambiguous "No Smoking" signs in sufficient numbers and locations in the common interest development to make it obvious to a reasonable person that smoking is prohibited throughout the common interest development. The absence of signs shall not be a defense to a violation of any provision of this chapter. (4) HOAs with knowledge of violations shall take reasonable steps to investigate and enforce the regulations, including a written notice to the resident of the HOA'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 HOA shall also distribute resources provided by the City and/or County of Los Angeles to assist with nicotine dependence, such as referrals to a quitline or other online resources.
San Fernando Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-6 establishes a phased smoking prohibition for common interest developments (HOAs), with key milestones in 2022, 2024, and 2027. By July 7, 2022, HOAs were required to notify all unit owners of the incoming restrictions, and sellers or lessors became obligated to provide similar disclosures to prospective buyers and renters. By July 7, 2024, smoking became prohibited in all units, private outdoor spaces attached to units, and most common areas, with a full premises-wide ban—including any remaining exceptions—taking effect July 7, 2027. HOAs are also required to post no-smoking signage, investigate known violations, and share cessation resources with residents.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under San Fernando Code of Ordinances ch. 24 § 24-6, compliant HOAs and unit sellers or lessors generally ensure that written notices and a copy of Chapter 24 are distributed to all owners and prospective buyers or renters on the required timelines. HOA operators also post and maintain clearly visible 'No Smoking' signs throughout common areas starting July 7, 2024, and keep records of any violation notices sent to residents along with documentation of follow-up steps taken. When a violation comes to the HOA's attention, a compliant association typically issues a written notice to the resident, requests that the violation cease, and provides City- or County-supplied nicotine cessation resources.
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 § 24-6 gives residents of common interest developments enforceable protections against smoking in their units, private balconies, porches, decks, and patios, as well as in common areas, on the timelines set out in the provision. If an HOA fails to post required signage, distribute required notices, or act on known violations, residents may have grounds to raise those failures as part of a complaint or legal proceeding. Tenants and buyers who were not provided the required written disclosures before entering into a lease or purchase agreement may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or housing attorney to understand what remedies may be available under this chapter.
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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