.png)
Can an Apartment Complex Ban Smoking Outside?
Every apartment complex has its own set of rules: Pets or no pets. Quiet hours. Decorating policies. Residents look for an apartment community that has rules they can live by. The same is true when it comes to smoking. In the US, each apartment owner or management team has the right to ban smoking indoors and outdoors. They can ban smoking anywhere on the property as long as the rule applies to all tenants equally. For example, Forest Park has smoke-free homes.
This is true for all rental home properties in Missouri and across the US. Because residents are renting, there may be rules that you wouldn't need to follow on your own property. The owner of a rental property can establish smoking rules, including whether or not to allow smoking outdoors.
.jpg)
Is It OK to Smoke Outside Your Apartment?
It depends. Many apartment residents who smoke assume that as long as they smoke outdoors, they are in the clear. However, in recent years, properties have been increasing specific restrictions on smoking, and some apartment complexes have banned smoking entirely, even outdoors on the complex grounds.
If your lease only states that smoking indoors is prohibited, it may be fine to smoke outdoors on the grounds. However, you will want to read your lease and check the smoking policy carefully before you move in. Smoking in a non-smoking area is difficult to hide, and you are going to enjoy life more in an apartment complex where the rules accommodate your needs or lifestyle choices.
Can an Apartment Ban Smoking on a Balcony?
Smoking on the balcony is the most popular solution for apartment residents who smoke. You can easily step outdoors and let the smoke dissipate into the air, then step back inside without much interruption to your life. Balcony apartments are favored by smokers for this reason.
However, your apartment can ban smoking on the balcony or patio.
The purpose may be to prevent smoke from bothering your close neighbors, reduce secondhand smoke complaints or health risk claims, or the apartment management may maintain that smoking must occur further from the building in accordance to public building smoking area policies.
Always ask the apartment manager and read your lease to discover if your balcony smoking plans are permitted.
Management Can Prohibit Smoking Inside Any Apartment or Building Interior
Yes. Management can prohibit smoking inside any dwelling or interior of the apartment community, including your apartments.
Prohibiting indoor smoking has several purposes. It protects the walls and fixtures from smoke stains, it protects the building owners from secondhand smoke liability or livability claims, and it adheres to the public building smoking laws. Most states ban smoking indoors in public buildings and require outdoor smoking areas to be at least 20 feet from the structure or entrances.
Forest Park Apartments Smoking Policy
At Forest Park, we understand that smoking is a lifestyle element for some of our residents. While smoking is prohibited indoors, we do maintain smoking-permissible areas 20 feet from the buildings.
No Smoking Indoors
Like most apartments, smoking in your apartment or inside the buildings is against the rules. Indoor smoking can result in a fine and potentially a lease violation.
Smoking Areas at a Safe Distance
Smoking areas are provided for our residents who smoke. These areas can be found 20 feet from the buildings where proper receptacles are also located to ensure a clean shared space. These areas are designed with clean air best practices in mind.
Receptacles for Proper Disposal
We also provide receptacles for disposal throughout the property. Residents who smoke are encouraged to ensure a clean environment in our shared community.
Questions Are Welcome
If you have any questions regarding the Forest Park smoking policies or where it is OK to smoke, please feel free to ask. We are glad to help you understand our policies so you can build a routine that works for you as part of our community.
Our leasing staff is available to answer questions before you sign a lease to ensure you will be pleased with your options here.
Smoke Free Apartments in Kansas City
If you are looking for a smoking-friendly apartment in Kansas City, MO, consider Forest Park. We strive to create an environment where both smoking and non-smoking residents can live in harmony. Here, you will find clean-air apartments and designated outdoor smoking areas throughout the property. This way, residents who smoke can enjoy the community while buildings and shared spaces are not exposed to second-hand smoke for residents who may be sensitive.
Contact us to inquire about apartment availability or to clarify the terms of our smoking policy. We are always glad to help a new resident fully understand our community's rules and policies. You can also browse our other smoke-free communities.