Stages over roughly a lease cycle

Months 1 to 2
Decide the scope: indoors only, or indoors plus balconies, stairs, courtyards and entry steps. Decide on vaping and cannabis. Have an attorney review the policy and a lease addendum.
Month 2
Send every household a written notice explaining the policy, the reasons and the effective dates. Offer a way to ask questions.
Months 2 to 3
Make the policy part of every new lease signed from this point. Post rules for common areas once permitted under current leases.
Months 3 to 12
Add the addendum at each renewal. Residents under existing leases keep their current terms until then.
Throughout
Fix physical paths: seal shared penetrations, add door sweeps, improve hallway ventilation where practical.
As units turn over
Clean and treat former smoking units thoroughly so new residents start fresh.
End of cycle
Confirm all leases include the policy. Review complaints and adjust the outdoor smoking area if one exists.

Why a gradual rollout works better

In a building where several long-term residents smoke, an abrupt rule change creates conflict and can be hard to enforce legally. Phasing it in at renewal gives residents time to plan, and it matches how lease terms normally change. It also spreads out the cost of turning over former smoking units rather than concentrating it in one season.

Communication carries much of the load. Residents who do not smoke usually welcome the change, but they need to know the timeline so they do not expect overnight results. Residents who do smoke need to know where, if anywhere, they can go, and what happens if the rule is broken. A clear, respectful notice makes compliance far more likely than signs alone.

Physical sealing matters too. Even after every lease includes the policy, a single violation in a leaky building will affect several neighbors. Sealing reduces that spread and helps everyone see the policy is being taken seriously.

Questions to settle with an attorney before the notice goes out

  1. Can the policy apply to month-to-month residents, and with what notice?
  2. How should the addendum handle guests, contractors and subtenants?
  3. What remedies are appropriate, and how do they relate to the deposit?
  4. How should requests for accommodation be handled?
  5. Does anything in Denver or Colorado law affect smoking in the shared spaces of this building?

Materials to prepare

  • Written policy covering products, places and people.
  • Lease addendum for new leases and renewals.
  • Notice letter to current residents with dates.
  • Signs for common areas and entries.
  • A simple complaint form or email address for reports.
  • A turnover scope for cleaning former smoking units.

General information for Capitol Hill, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.