Can We Read Your Signs? Make Sure YOUR Building’s Signage Complies
Update: Make Sure YOUR Building’s Signage Complies: Can’t YOU Read the Sign?
By Craig Mordoh, Esq., AAGLA General Counsel
“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?”
- “Signs” By the Five Man Electrical Band (1971)
(Editor’s Note: This is an update to an article appearing in past issues of Apartment Age magazine. It has been updated for the latest requirements.)
“Signs” is a song written by Les Emmerson and popularized by relatively unknown Canadian rock band, Five Man Electrical Band in 1971. Under Federal, State and some local laws, landlords are required to display certain types of signage. Be sure you are in compliance with the law!
GET YOUR LEGALLY REQUIRED SIGNS AT AAGLA: You can order these signs through the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles website at https://aagla.org/shop/ or by calling Karen Troung at our office at (213) 384-4131; Ext. 312 (or email: Karen@aagla.org). Make sure you know your signage and posting requirements so that YOU comply with the law.
|
Federal Law. Federal fair housing laws require properties with 4 or more units to display a Fair Housing poster someplace visible to both current and prospective tenants. The poster must be at least 11" x 14" to be in compliance with the law. |
|
|
State of California. Proposition 65 requires businesses of 10 or more employees to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. These chemicals can be in the products that Californians purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment. Employees can include maintenance workers or gardeners that work on your property, so sometimes it is good practice just to be safe by getting one of these signs.
|
|
|
Los Angeles. All Properties that are City of Los Angeles rent stabilized units must post notification that the property is subject to the City’s rent stabilization ordinance.
|
|
|
Santa Monica. In Santa Monica, at least one sign stating that the City prohibits smoking in common areas at multi-unit properties.
|
|
|
San Fernando. During 2022, the City of San Fernando adopted an ordinance prohibiting smoking in multi-unit housing for all new construction and for new leases with a phasing-in period for existing units. The ordinance went into effect on July 7, 2022 and applies to multi-unit housing within the City with two or more units when there is a new lease. The prohibition extends to the unit’s associated outdoor, unenclosed areas such as private balconies, decks, porches, or patios. After two years, smoking will be prohibited anywhere on the premises of multi-unit housing. Rental housing providers are required to provide all renters in each new or existing unit, as applicable, with a copy of the ordinance and written notice regarding the ordinance provisions as set forth in the ordinance. Rental property owners must also post and maintain clear and unambiguous “No-Smoking” signs at entrances, exits, in common areas, and in conspicuous places adjoining the property grounds. There must be a sufficient number of signs in multiple locations to make it clear that smoking is prohibited in all units. |
|
|
West Hollywood. During 2021, West Hollywood adopted a smoke-free ordinance that prohibits smoking in all common areas and in all new units and on private balconies and private patios within new units. Smoking Cannabis and Vaping are also prohibited in common areas. Smoking, Smoking Cannabis, and Vaping is not prohibited in existing units unless prohibited under an existing lease agreement. This smoke-free ordinance requires conspicuously posted “No Smoking” signage in all building common areas. |
|
|
Torrance. In 2023, Torrance passed an ordinance prohibiting smoking in most areas of multi-unit residences, including common areas with the exception of “designated smoking areas.” All City of Torrance rental housing providers must post "No Smoking" signs in sufficient numbers and locations in common areas where smoking is prohibited by the ordinance and to indicate that Smoking is prohibited in all rental units. No smoking signs may be purchased at https://aagla.org/shop/. |
|
Also, in the City of West Hollywood, landlords that are subject to the West Hollywood rent stabilization ordinance must, at the beginning of each tenancy, provide information to each tenant by giving them a copy of a notice with the following information: (i) that the property is subject to the provisions of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance of the City of West Hollywood; (ii) that a copy of the ordinance and information about the maximum allowable rent that may be charged for each unit may be obtained from the Department of Rent Stabilization and Housing; and (iii) the Department’s telephone number. The notice must be printed in English, Spanish, and Russian. Notices including the required translations may be obtained from the Department of Rent Stabilization upon request by a landlord. A landlord may satisfy these requirements including the notice in an addendum to the tenant’s written lease. While a sign is not required here, it was worth mentioning that a notice must be provided to West Hollywood’s rent stabilized tenants. This notice is available to members through the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles’ website – See the Legal Forms Library.
Please make sure to have the proper signage in place at your rental properties and are providing your tenants with the appropriate notifications. And always remember to “just tuck your hair up under your hat” and go in to ask for your sign. Without it, you may run the risk of encountering some “long-haired freaky people” that need not apply.
Craig Mordoh is the General Counsel of the Apartment Association and a sole practitioner specializing in providing legal services to rental property owners. He can be reached at (310) 453-6774 or mordohlaw@gmail.com.