New Thousand Oaks Smoking Ordinance - Effective 8/8/08

The following information regarding the new City of Thousand Oaks Smoking Prohibition Ordinance is taken directly from the City of Thousand Oaks website at www.ci.thousand-oaks.ca.us.  The Ordinance, adopted by the City Council last month, becomes effective on August 8, 2008 and will effect smokers in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and the Ventura County side of Westlake Village.

Smoking Ordinance:

The Thousand Oaks City Council has adopted a new ordinance which
prohibits smoking in outdoor gathering places. The ordinance will take
effect on Friday, August 8, 2008 and specifically prohibits smoking in
the following places:

• Any playground and within 25 feet thereof;
• Any public gardens;
• Any outdoor service area (ex: ATM or theatre ticket line);
• The grounds of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, except in any
  designated smoking area;
• Any outdoor dining area (with limited permitted exemptions);
• The grounds of any public library;
• Any common area at a shopping center.

Smoking Ordinance FAQs:

1. Why did the City of Thousand Oaks decide to prohibit smoking in outdoor gathering places? 
   The Thousand Oaks City Council recognizes that secondhand smoke poses a serious public health hazard and that nonsmokers need protection from secondhand smoke exposure. This ordinance was enacted to protect the public health and safety.
   
2. When will this new ordinance take effect?
   The smoking ordinance will take effect on Friday, August 8, 2008.
   
3. What are the basics of the City of Thousand Oaks’ new smoking ordinance?
   The Ordinance specifically prohibits smoking in the following places:
   
   • Any playground and within 25 feet thereof;
   • Any public gardens;
   • Any outdoor service area (ex: ATM or Theatre ticket line);
   • The grounds of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, except in any designated smoking area;
   • Any outdoor dining area; with limited exemptions as explained below;
   • The grounds of any public library;
   • Any common area at a shopping center.
     
4. I operate a restaurant with a common/shared outdoor dining patio; may patrons smoke in that area? 
   As of August 8, 2008, smoking is not allowed.
   
5. I operate a restaurant that has its own exclusive outdoor dining area. Can patrons smoke?
   As of August 8, 2008, the answer in most cases is no, but there are limited exemptions. See question #6.
   
6. How do I go about seeking an exemption to the ordinance for my restaurant's outdoor patio?
   A permit application for exemption is available from the City of Thousand Oaks Community Development Department.
   
7. When will the permit opportunity take effect?
   On September 9, 2008, a second reading of the ordinance that provides for a permit to allow smoking in qualified outdoor patio areas will occur, and if adopted will become effective on October 10, 2008.
   
8. How does my patio area qualify for the exemption permit?
   Restaurant owners may file for an exemption permit if each of the following criteria are met:       
   
   • The restaurant has the required City entitlement for the outdoor customer dining area;
   • The patio is the required distance from areas where smoking is prohibited;
   • The location has self-closing and appropriately sealed doors to restrict smoke from traveling into the restaurant;
   • The restaurant provides signs notifying customers that smoking may occur in the outdoor customer dining area. 
     
9. How will this smoking ordinance be enforced?
   The ordinance will be enforced through a combination of public outreach and education. Ongoing violations could result in fines.
   
10. If I witness a violation of the smoking ordinance, how do I go about reporting it?
    Violations can be reported to the business owner or manager, the Thousand Oaks Police Department at 494-8200, or City of Thousand Oaks Code Compliance Division at 449-­­­­­­­2300.
    
11. Who may I contact if I have questions about the smoking ordinance or to obtain a permit?
    For specific questions regarding the smoking ordinance or obtaining a permit, contact the City of Thousand Oaks Community Development Department at 449-2323.

Click here to view the City of Thousand Oaks Smoking Ordinance.

Comments

[s.]

The new TO Smoking Ordinence is FANTASTIC news! It’s about time. Now we can go outside without sucking up second hand smoke. Does this effect apartments/ condos?
There is nothing more disgusting and deadly than sitting in your home, with the windows open, enjoying your day, then all of a sudden having someone’s disgusting second hand smoke come in – uninvited into your private home - that you pay a substantial amount of money each month, to then cause you to feel sick, including nausea, coughing, headaches, not to mention, your clean home ends up smelling like an ashtray. Please tell me this affects apartments and condos too. If not when will it, and what can I do to help it pass?

[Harold S]

Thank You!!!

This smoke free law is long overdue and I know how much city employees end up taking crap for the decisions they must make for the better of our community. I appreciate what you do and have done.

Approximatley 17% of Californians smoke, of those over 50% wish they can quit but are addictted to the long list of poisons and for diverse reasons they simply cannot quit. Smokers force all of those around, family, friends, children, coworkers,and those nearby, to smell and become ill whether immediatly or in the future,... without care for anyone other than themself.

Now it is time for the 80 plus percent of Californians to be selfish and demand the smoke free air. I personally have put the phone numbers in my cell so when i do see offenders I will be able to report them so this will cut down the smoking in public as fast as possible.

I am also going to ask the city coucil to get a text line for reporting any and all crimes via text message and be able to send pictures as well to better serve our community.

I know most people who smoke are usually low income to middle class people.
Rarely if ever do the rich, wealthy, intelligent, independent, strong minded, smoke. Oddly enough, it costs alot to smoke, and be a smoker. For women, the dry cleaning fees alone to get the smell out is incredible. Then there is the yellow hands and teeth, not to mention the nails.

I personally have stopped hanging around friends, and do not socailize with anyone who smokes as I do not want to smell like an ashtray, become sick, now or in the future.

Smoking is for weak minded people who are selfish and would just as well point a gun and pull the trigger of extremly slow moving bulletts at their kids, their family, their friends, their coworkers, and anyone they come into contact with within 100 feet.

The city of Thousand Oaks has made me even more proud to live in this community.

I look forward to the day ciggarettes, cigars, etc are illegal to purchase here or in the state of California.

I look forward to going to Resturants ( With outdoor dining ) even more so as I enjoy the clean outdoor air along with the sun without the smell, or threat of second hand smoke, lung cancer, etc.

Here is what I dont get,....
Why is it when a smoker goes to an outdoor diner, lights up until their food comes as they cant stand the smell while they eat, have no regard for others while they are eating.

I can only imaging if smokers who through out butts, the chances will go down signifcantly, of fires, both in the home and in the towns we live.

I can also imagine a place where we dont see cigarette butts on the ground as litter any longer.

Again I thank of those who support this both smokers and non smokers.

I wish you all the best.

Harold

[Conejo Joe]

From CVG to the first comment poster above: The information about this new ordinance came directly from the City of T.O. website at www.toaks.org. It does not appear appear that this ordinance impacts smoking in apartments and condos. It if focused on smoking in public areas. For the actual 8 page ordinance passed by the City Council, go to http://www.toaks.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=13042 .

This website has no affiliation with the City of T.O. What I would suggest is contacting the City of T.O. and/or the city councilmembers (contact information at http://www.toaks.org/city_hall/city_council/default.asp) with specific questions and concerns.

Best wishes,

Conejo Valley Guide