San Rafael Smoking Ban Goes into Effect Next Week

Starting next week, lighting up in San Rafael could get you into big trouble.

Even in the privacy of your home.

A law banning smoking in certain residences and open spaces approved unanimously by the City Council last year year goes into effect on Nov. 14.

Marin County's toughest anti-smoking law prohibits lighting up in all duplex and multi-family residential units that share a common wall.

You also won't be allowed to smoke on downtown sidewalks and local parks under the ban.

City officials say the ordinance was put in place to protect the community from secondhand smoke.

“This ordinance is not a case of the government arbitrarily swooping in to impinge on individual freedoms,” Councilman Damon Connolly said at last year's October meeting in which the ordinance was approved.

“It was born from a drum beat of concerns from residents.”

Property owners and managers will be required to enforce this new law through lease amendments.

They will also be required to post signage.