Property owners and managers have the right to put rules in place to protect their property and the health of their residents. It is legal for managers and landlords to make rental units smoke free.

• Smokers are not considered a protected group under anti-discrimination laws.


• Smoking is not considered a “constitutional right”.¹ So, a building manager or owner can keep people from smoking in the building, just as they can decide not to allow pets.


• In federally subsidized housing, you can’t refuse to rent to a smoker, but you can keep them from smoking in the unit. The policy is allowed if it targets the behavior, not the smoker. That just means that smokers can rent, but can’t smoke in the building.

Americans with Disabilities Act and Fair Housing Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows smoke free policies.¹ Since smoking is not considered a disability, smokers are not protected under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Residents with health conditions (e.g.emphysema, heart conditions, asthma, COPD) who would be affected by secondhand smoke could be considered as having a disability under FHA.

Under the FHA, manager/owners may have to provide a “reasonable accommodation” to a resident whose disability is made worse by exposure to secondhand smoke. Possible accommodations could include adopting a smoke free policy, repairing air flow systems to keep or cut back on secondhand smoke infiltration, or adding separate ventilation or heating systems.

Disability Law Center – Utah’s Protection and Advocacy Agency

The Disability Law Center is a private, not-for-profit agency. They are required by federal law to help protect the civil rights of people with disabilities. All of their services are provided free of charge. For more information visit http://disabilitylawcenter.org

Utah’s Law

The State of Utah enacted the Secondhand Smoke Amendments (SHSA) in 1997. These amendments, establish smoking is a nuisance under the law, and give apartments and condominiums the authority to ban smoking in units, common areas, on the premises, or both.

The Utah Indoor Clean Air Act (UICAA) is designed to protect Utahns and visitors from exposure to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. In general, “Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed indoor places of public access and publicly owned buildings and offices,…” UC 26B-7-502. Outside smoking designated areas are not allowed within 25 feet of building entrances, exits, air intakes, or windows. Ashtrays closer than 25 feet of the building are required to have a sign stating “No Smoking,””For extinguishing cigarettes only-No Smoking,” or similar, R392-510(11).

Public Housing (Housing and Urban Development (HUD))

In 2016, HUD announced a rule requiring all public housing to adopt smoke-free policies by July 30, 2018. The rule restricts the use of prohibited tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and hookah. Use of these products is not allowed anywhere inside public housing buildings including individual units, common areas, offices, or within 25 feet of the building(s).

For more information on HUD housing in Utah, contact:

Salt Lake City Field Office
Department on Housing and Urban Development
125 S. State Street, Suite 3001
Salt Lake City, UT 84138
(801) 524-6070

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/states/utah