Smoking Ordinance Signage Guidelines

These guidelines are for Commercial, Retail, Restaurant and Multi-Family Residential
(Ordinance Effective September 3, 2014)

The Municipal Code Requires the Following Signage:

"Each owner, operator, manager or other person having control of multifamily apartment units, public places or places of employment within which smoking is regulated by this chapter shall be in compliance with this chapter upon conspicuously posting "No Smoking" signs with letters not less than one inch in height or the international "No Smoking" symbol consisting of a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a red circle with a red bar across it. At least one sign shall be placed at the entrance to every applicable facility. An owner, operator or manager of a building in which no smoking is permitted in any space in the building may limit the "No Smoking" postings to first floor entrances and exits and to elevator lobby areas of all other floors." FCMC 8.05.060

The City of Foster City has developed the following guidelines to assist property owners/managers to comply with ordinance posting requirements. Owners/managers operating within these guidelines will be considered to be in compliance with the ordinance. Owners/managers who do not follow these guidelines may be required to demonstrate to the City that they meet the ordinance's requirements in an equally effective way. Please note that these are minimum standards and that property owners/managers are encouraged to post additional signage in areas that make sense for their properties.

Questions about the ordinance's signage and notification requirements or designation of smoking areas at restaurants should be addressed to the Foster City Community Development Department (contact information in the left bar of this page).

	Smoking Prohibited in these Outdoor Areas*	Signage Guidelines
Commercial (Non-Retail)	Within50 feet of all entrances/doorways	Signage as shown in Exhibit A, with "Smoke-Free Area" in letters at least 1 inch tall. One sign at each doorway AND signs at every entry to the property between parking area(s) and building access points.
Shopping Centers and Retail Establishments (includes commercial properties with retail establishments)	Within50 feet of all entrances/doorways Sidewalks in or adjacent to shopping centers and commercial property that includes retail Except that restaurants may designate up to 50%outdoor eating areas as smoking	Signage as shown in Exhibit B, with "Smoke-Free Area" in letters at least one inch tall. At least one sign prominently posted on each building. (One sign at each retail space recommended.) Unleased spaces are not required to have signage while they are vacant.
Restaurants	At least 50% of outdoor eating areas	For restaurants that allow smoking in up to 50% of outdoor dining: Signage as shown in Exhibit C, with lettering at least 0.5 inches tall on every table that has been designated as smoke free. Signage as shown in Exhibit D, with lettering at least .05 inches tall on every table at which smoking is permitted. (No signage required for restaurants that prohibit smoking in outdoor dining area.)
Condominiums and Townhomes	Within 30 feet of all entrances/doorways Sidewalks in or adjacent to property	Signage as shown in Exhibit E, with "Smoke-Free Area" in letters at least one inch tall. Signs posted at every entry to the property between parking area(s) and building access point(s).
Apartment Complexes	Inside apartment units and on balconies and patios Within 30 feet of all entrances/doorways Sidewalks in or adjacent to property	Signage as shown in Exhibit F, with "Smoke-Free Area" in letters at least one inch tall. Signs posted at every entry to the property between parking area(s) and building access point(s). Signage clearly indicating the boundaries of any designated smoking area(s).