Non-Smoking Signs Now Required by Law

San Francisco Health Code Article 19F provides protection from second hand smoke by prohibiting smoking in enclosed and unenclosed areas. And now, property owners are required by law to post no smoking signs in their buildings.

Doors to common areas of multi-unit housing complexes must be closed while smoking occurring.

Smoking is allowed beyond 10 feet of common outdoor areas such as a patio, courtyard, etc.

Smoking is permitted at the curb outside of commercial, multi unit residential, and mixed use building entrances, exits and operable windows.  If there is no curb, no smoking within 15 feet of private commercial, multi unit residential, and mixed residential building entrances, exits and operable windows.

Signs must meet the following requirements:

1. Must be posted no higher than 8 feet and no lower than 5 feet, and within 10 feet of the door or the most appropriate place for visibility from outside.
2. In letters no less than one half inch in height, the text should read: "Smoking only 1) at the curb, or 2) if no curb, at least 15 ft. from exits, entrances, operable windows, and vents"
3. The international "No Smoking" symbol, consisting of a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a circle, with a diameter of at least three inches, with a bar across it.
4. A statement at the bottom of the sign that reads "SF Health Code Article 19F" in font no less than 1/8 inch in height.

For a downloadable version of a no smoking sign that meets these requirements, please visit www.smokefreesf.org.