Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health And Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council strengthens hotel/motel non‑smoking and life‑safety rules
Summary
Ordinance 1462 requires new hotels after Dec. 1 to be 100% smoke‑free, allows limited grandfathering for existing hotels (up to 20% smoking rooms), and adds life‑safety requirements such as hardwired smoke detectors and posted evacuation routes.
The council approved Ordinance 1462, amending the hotel/motel code to tighten nonsmoking and life‑safety standards. Under the amendments, any hotel built or opened after Dec. 1 must be 100% smoke‑free. Existing hotels may retain up to 20% of rooms designated for smoking as a grandfathered allowance but cannot increase that percentage; if an existing property converts to 100% smoke‑free or undergoes a change in ownership after Dec. 1, it must operate as smoke‑free going forward.
The ordinance also requires operational, hardwired smoke detectors approved by the fire marshal, posted evacuation routes on interior exit doors, and that in‑room telephones be able to reach 911 without dialing additional prefixes. Presenters said the changes are intended to improve guest safety and housekeeping standards. The motion to adopt the ordinance was made, seconded and approved by voice vote with the second reading waived.
