Blog

COMMENTS REGARDING THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA’S UNDATED REVISIONS TO THE OCTOBER 15, 2014, PUBLIC DRAFT OF THE PROPOSED SANTA ROSA SMOKING ORDINANCE

The following are comments I prepared for submission to the City of Santa Rosa in response to its undated revisions to the proposed smoking ordinance.

The proposed ordinance can be found at the City of Santa Rosa website .

COMMENTS REGARDING THE OCTOBER 15, 2014, PUBLIC DRAFT OF THE SANTA ROSA SMOKING ORDINANCE

The City of Santa Rosa is preparing a smoking ordinance which, in part, requires landlords and property managers to take steps to enforce the no smoking rules for tenants.  The City solicited feedback and I prepared the following comments which were presented to the City.  Subsequently, the City made revisions.  I prepared comments to the revisions which are also on my website. 

Landlords - Habitability and Mold

California law requires all residential rentals to meet certain standards in order to be habitable.  In general, the heating, electrical and plumbing systems must be in good working order, there must be no water intrusion and the premises must be free of vermin.  (This list is not comprehensive but covers some basic requirements.)

Fair Housing - Discrimination Based on Age or Family Status

Fair Housing laws prohibit housing discrimination based on age or family status with certain exceptions.  Landlords may not impose rules on families with children that they do not impose on other tenants although reasonable rules narrowly written for health or safety reasons or to protect children from danger are exceptions.  Landlords may inadvertantly discriminate against families with children when trying to warn about safety issues.