CORONADO, CA (January 28, 2015) One year ago January 1, the City of Coronado implemented a sweeping ordinance that prohibited smoking outdoors on all public property. The no-smoking ban extended to public streets, highways, alleys, rights of way, parkways, sidewalks, parking lots and pathways.
Coronado officials see the one-year anniversary as an opportunity to measure the ban’s success and remind residents, visitors and businesses about the smoking law.
“Now is the perfect time to take a look at the past year and see where we are,” said City Manager Blair King. “People for the most part are complying. The greatest difficulty we have as an internationally known resort city is educating our visitors. We’re confident the word will get out with the help of residents and businesses and with a consistent enforcement effort.”
Recently, the City removed ash trays from the 100 block of Orange Avenue that were left in place while people learned about the prohibition. The community has been responsive and there is no longer a need for the ash trays. The City believes most people who know about the ordinance are voluntarily complying. However, Code Enforcement staff and the Police Department have responded to complaints of smoking. Following 33 Police Department contacts last year from complaints, officers issued a total of 16 citations for violating the ordinance. Citations cost up to $100 for a first offense.
Businesses are required to place signs, letting patrons know about the ban, in outdoor areas where smoking is prohibited. Also, those responsible for an outdoor area where smoking is prohibited shall not knowingly allow smoking in the area.
There are exceptions to the ban. Smoking may be permitted in an outdoor dining area if a majority of the outdoor dining area is located on private property. Smoking is permitted on the Coronado Golf Course and on private property, except in areas that are open to the general public, such as an ATM, or at an event, such as an arts fair held in a private parking lot. Smoking will continue to be allowed on all outdoor residential property, if permitted by the property owner, regardless of its distance from any doorway or window of an enclosed building around which smoking is prohibited.
The City has a Smoking Ordinance page on its website, where residents, business owners and visitors can go for more information. The webpage contains a Q&A, sample signs and the City’s Smoking Ordinance. Below, you will find samples of No Smoking signs that may be printed and displayed. For a high resolution image or if you have any questions, please contact the City Manager’s Office at (619) 522-7330.
