Smoke Free Multi Unit Housing (SFMUH) Complaints

All jurisdictions, and unincorporated Marin, have adopted a smoke-free housing ordinance that offers 100% protection for all tenants of multi-unit residences.
Smoking and vaping (including tobacco, cannabis, and e-cigarettes) are banned in all units and common areas of multi-unit housing, including decks, porches, patios, and balconies.

SF-MUH Complaint Form

Not selling to Minors (Tobacco Retailer License)

It is illegal to sell tobacco, alcohol, or cannabis products to minors (those under 21) in the United States.
Unincorporated Marin County requires all tobacco retailers to have a “Tobacco Retailer License.”
Tobacco can only be sold by licensed tobacco retailers on licensed premises. Licenses obtained through application.
The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for enforcing this ordinance.
The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) is actively advocating for the Tobacco Retail License ordinance to be adopted in jurisdictions across Marin County.

No Smoking in Public Places (Public Smoking Ban)

All local Marin jurisdictions restrict smoking in many outdoor areas.
It is not legal to smoke or vape tobacco, nicotine, medical, or nonmedical cannabis in Marin's outdoor cafes, bars, shopping centers, bus stops, workplaces, including construction sites, and other outdoor areas.

Local Smoke-Free and Youth Nicotine Addiction Prevention Ordinances

Smoke-free housing laws were first introduced in Marin County in 2012. Since then, all jurisdictions have adopted their own smoke-free housing ordinances that offer 100% protection for all tenants of multi-unit residences.

For any smoking ordinance violations, please visit the complaints tab to fill out our online complaints form below.

Complaint Form

County of Marin

(unincorporated areas only, which include Greenbrae, West Marin, and other areas, but exclude 11 communities that have their own ordinances or upcoming public hearings)

Protected areas: entrances, buffer zones around all multi-unit housing, outdoor cafes and other outdoor workplaces, parks, beaches, and all County-owned buildings and campuses, including the Wellness Campus, Clinics, and all buildings and campuses. Ordinance includes protection from electronic smoking devices as well as tobacco and marijuana smoke.

Read the ordinance here

Belvedere

Protection for 100% from tobacco and marijuana smoke and electronic smoking device toxic aerosols, pertaining to duplexes, apartments, condos, and townhouses, including entrances, decks, porches, buffer zones, as well as outdoor cafes, bars, and outdoor work areas, including yacht clubs.

Read the ordinance here: City of Belvedere

Corte Madera

Protection from tobacco and marijuana smoke and electronic smoking device toxic aerosols, pertaining to duplexes, apartments, condos, and townhouses, including entrances, decks, porches, buffer zones as well as outdoor cafes, bars and other work areas.

Read the ordinance here: Town of Corte Madera

Fairfax

Protection from tobacco and marijuana smoke as well as toxic aerosols from electronic smoking (vaping) devices in a minimum of 75% of apartments and condos in complexes with four or more units, including decks, porches, and patios, and in outdoor cafes, parks, playgrounds, public events and farmer's markets.

Read the ordinance here: Fairfax Tobacco Ordinance

Fairfax Flavored Tobacco Ordinance: Flavored Tobacco & Vapes Prohibited

Larkspur

Protections include 80 % protection for any two units sharing a wall, including duplexes, apartments, condos, and townhouses.

Outdoor smoke-free cafes, bars, parades, parks, shopping centers, and other workplaces are also protected.

Read the ordinance here: Larkspur's Smoking Ordinance

Mill Valley

Protections include 100% of duplexes, apartments, condos, and townhouses from tobacco and marijuana smoke, and electronic smoking devices

There are outdoor smoke-free areas, including downtown, outdoor cafes, bars, festivals, farmers markets, construction sites, and other outdoor work areas.

Read the ordinance here: Mill Valley Smoking Ordinance

City of Novato

Areas protected: outdoor cafes, bars, and other outdoor workplaces, as well as 100% of apartments, condos, and townhouses. Includes protection from electronic smoking devices’ aerosols as well as marijuana fumes:

Read the ordinance here

Ross

Provides protection from tobacco or marijuana smoke in outdoor dining areas and entrances.

Read the ordinance here: Town of Ross Ordinance

San Anselmo

Protection from tobacco and marijuana smoke and electronic smoking device toxic aerosols in 100 percent of multi-unit housing, including duplexes, apartments, condos, townhouses, porches, balconies, and decks, in addition to outdoor cafes, bars, construction sites and work places, parades, festivals, and parks.

Read the ordinance here: San Anselmo Smoke-Free Ordinance

San Rafael

Ordinance includes protection for 100 percent of all multi-unit housing, including duplexes, apartments, condos, townhouses, and other shared interest housing. Downtown areas and outdoor cafes, bars, and construction sites are all 100% free from tobacco, hookah, or marijuana smoke and electronic smoking devices, including e-hookah pens, mods, and e-cigarettes.

Read the ordinance here: Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing Ordinance

Sausalito

Protection from tobacco and marijuana smoke and electronic smoking device toxic aerosols, pertaining to duplexes, apartments, condos, houseboats, and townhouses, including entrances, decks, porches, buffer zones, as well as outdoor cafes, bars, and other work areas.