Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing

Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing

What is Secondhand Smoke and Why is it a Problem in Multi-Unit Housing?

Secondhand smoke is:

  • The smoke exhaled from a person smoking
  • The smoke released by tobacco or marijuana when burned
  • The aerosols released from vaping

Secondhand Smoke Drifts Through:

  • Walls
  • Crawl Spaces and Ceilings
  • Windows
  • Balconies, Patios, & Courtyards
  • Electrical Outlets
  • Shared Ventilation Systems
  • Doorways & Hallways

Up to 65% of the air in one unit can come from nearby units, making the health impacts of secondhand smoke a concern for multi-unit housing residents in Alameda County who are more likely to be lower income communities of color.

Some Health Impacts of Secondhand Smoke:

  • Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke have an increased risk of developing lung cancer by 20-30%
  • Secondhand smoke causes children to have more severe asthma attacks, lung problems, and emergency department visits.
  • Marijuana smoke creates longer-lasting effects on blood vessel function than exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke

The Solution: Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing (SFMUH) Policies

Cities and county governments can pass policies to protect residents in their homes. These policies define Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing as residential buildings with two or more units, including apartments, condominiums, townhomes, and duplexes. They:

  • Are inclusive of rented and owned units
  • Are free of tobacco, marijuana, and vape smoke
  • Cover all units and private areas including patios, balconies, decks, porches, and courtyards
  • Covers all indoor and outdoor common areas such as halls, pathways, stairs, laundry rooms, and lobbies

Four jurisdictions in Alameda County have passed 100% comprehensive Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing Policies: the City of Alameda, the City of Berkeley the City of Emeryville, and Unincorporated Alameda County. The map below shows cities with partial SFMUH policies and those that have not yet passed any policies.

Map of Alameda County that includes the areas of the county that have smoke-free multi-unit housing policies.

Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing (SFMUH) Resources for All Cities and Communities in Alameda County

Fill out this form to make a Smoking Complaint for any jurisdiction in Alameda County:

To make a Smoking Complaint: English | Spanish | Chinese | Vietnamese

To learn more about Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing including existing local policies in each city of Alameda County, how to get involved in the Alameda County Tobacco Control Coalition, and for general SFMUH resources please visit:

If you have any questions about the smoke-free requirements in your city or would like to schedule a presentation about the benefits of smoke-free multi-unit housing for residents or property owners, please contact the Alameda County Tobacco Control Program at TCP@acgov.org

No Smoking Signs

No-smoking signs are available to order for the following 4 jurisdictions: Unincorporated Alameda County, City of Alameda, City of Emeryville and City of Oakland order at no cost:  

Free No Smoking Signs for Download (for any jurisdiction)

Order Laminated or Metal Signs

Unincorporated Alameda County Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing Policy

To protect residents from the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure, Alameda County prohibits smoking in multi-unit housing as of July 1, 2022. This law applies to multi-unit housing located in the Urban Growth Boundary of the Unincorporated Area of the County, including Ashland, Cherryland, Fairview, Castro Valley, Hayward Acres, and San Lorenzo.

Multi-unit housing means a lot with two or more units, including apartments, townhomes, condominium complexes, senior and assisted living facilities, long-term health care facilities, hotels, and motels. As of July 1, 2022, no one is allowed to smoke:

  • Inside their unit.
  • On any balcony, porch, deck or patio.
  • In any indoor or outdoor common area, such as halls, pathways, lobbies, stairwells, mail areas/rooms, community rooms, playgrounds, pools, laundry rooms, and parking lots.
  • On neighboring property, within 25 feet from any doorway, window, opening, or vent into a multi-unit residence (except for lots with single-family homes).

The smoke-free law does not apply to a single-family home with an accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit or mobile homes in a mobile home park.

“Smoking” includes cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, hookah, electronic smoking devices such as e-cigarettes, and cannabis/marijuana.

Unincorporated Alameda County Specific Resources

Click this link to download the Unincorporated Area Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing postcard:

Smoke-free Multi-unit Housing FAQs for Landlord and Property Managers: English

Smoke-free Multi-unit Housing FAQs for Tenants: English | Spanish | Chinese | Vietnamese

Sample Notice for Landlords of Unincorporated Alameda County residents: English | Spanish

Quit Smoking: Resources on how to quit smoking

See if the Law Applies Where You Live: Look up your address on this map

Unincorporated Alameda County Smoke-free Law Ordinance O-2022-5: Download a printable copy of Ordinance O-2022-5.