The San Rafael City Council Monday night will consider strengthening an ordinance regarding smoking in multi-family apartments with two or more units and in public places.

The City's municipal code currently prohibits smoking in common indoor areas of multi-unit residential properties.

The proposed ordinance would prohibit smoking in all duplexes and multi-family residential units including their indoor and outdoor common areas.

The ordinance requires 100 percent of multi-family units (apartments and condominiums) be declared non-smoking.

There is an allowance for a designated smoking area if it meets certain criteria and the multi-unit properties have one year to comply with the ordinance.

The proposed ordinance also prohibits smoking entirely in all park and recreation areas but allows designated smoking areas at community centers. The current municipal code prohibits smoking with 100 feet of playgrounds.

The ordinance also would prohibit smoking on all sidewalks and pedestrian areas and public places within a specific boundary of downtown San Rafael.

The current municipal code prohibits smoking in outdoor areas immediately adjacent to entrances or exits of buildings, but does not specify what "immediately adjacent" means.

The City Council can adopt the ordinance as proposed or with modifications, postpone action until it receives proposed amendments included in the ordinance.

The ordinance takes effect 30 days after passage. The City Council meeting is at 7 p.m. in City Hall at 1400 Fifth Avenue.