Full question:
I am being fined 250.00 dollars for someone smoking in a non smoking room at a motel the room is in my name. I was told the civil penalty does not apply for motels is this true? The civil penalty in Iowa for first offense is $100.
- Category: Smoking
- Date:
- State: Iowa
Answer:
The no smoking laws in Iowa classify hotels and motels as public places. However, there are specific exceptions for hotel and motel rooms. According to Iowa law, smoking is allowed in designated smoking rooms, provided that no more than twenty percent of the rooms are smoking rooms, all smoking rooms on the same floor are contiguous, and smoke does not enter non-smoking areas. If your room was designated as non-smoking, there is no exception for smoking in that room.
As for civil penalties, Iowa law states that a person who smokes in a prohibited area may face a penalty. For a first violation, the penalty is up to one hundred dollars. For subsequent violations within a year, the penalties increase (Iowa Code § 805.8C).
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.