SoCal City Bans Smoking on Multifamily Properties

The law prohibits smoking tobacco or cannabis in both indoor and outdoor spaces, prompting backlash from residents.

1 minute read

August 8, 2024, 12:00 PM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Close-up of silver sign indicating 'no smoking' with cigarette inside circle with line. Sign is sitting on patio table outdoors.

nanantachoke / Adobe Stock

Carlsbad, California became the first San Diego County city to ban smoking inside and outside multifamily housing units, reports Perla Shaheen for CNN Newsource. According to the article, 84 other California cities have similar bans.

Many landlords already prohibit smoking inside homes, but the new law includes outdoor areas including private patios and balconies. One landlord interviewed by ABC 10 News said he likely wouldn’t enforce the law in outdoor areas unless neighbors complained. Some residents say the law is an infringement on their rights.

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 in CNN Newsource

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A swamp in South Carolina with tall pale trees and Spanish moss in the water.

Satanic place names

From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.

October 31 - The Daily Yonder

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight