Ayer, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 380 § 380-10
Smoking (Ayer Hotel and Motel Regulations)
Operative Text
Smoking is prohibited inside of any hotel or motel including any connected portion of which that is occupied by the owner/operator, per MGL c. 270, § 22 (j), and the Board of Health's Smoking in Workplaces and Public Places regulation. [1] A. Common areas shall always be smoke-free. B. Individual guest or efficiency units will not be designated as smoke rooms. C. Owners/operators are required to make reasonable efforts to prevent secondhand smoke. (1) Occupants and visitors of hotels and motels shall smoke a minimum of 10 feet away from windows, doors, entryways, and other areas that may be attributed to secondhand smoke. D. Owners/operators shall conspicuously display upon premises "NO SMOKING" signs. Signs are available from the Board of Health office and should be posted in all common areas, guest units, efficiency units, and any other area used for human habitation. E. Owners/operators may designate a specific area on the outside of the premises where smoking can occur. (1) This area must be properly labeled and maintained at 10 feet from all entryways and common areas. (2) Accommodation for disposing of products must be provided. [1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 445 , Tabacco Products, Art. II , Smoking in Workplaces and Public Places.
Ayer, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 380 § 380-10 establishes a comprehensive indoor smoking ban for hotels and motels in Ayer, Massachusetts, consistent with state law under MGL c. 270, § 22(j). All common areas must remain smoke-free at all times, and no individual guest or efficiency unit may be designated as a smoking room. If a smoking area is permitted at all, it must be located outdoors, clearly labeled, at least 10 feet from any entryway or common area, and equipped with proper disposal facilities.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 380 § 380-10, hotel and motel owners and operators are expected to maintain a fully smoke-free interior, including all common areas and guest units, and to post conspicuous 'NO SMOKING' signs throughout the property — signs are available from the Ayer Board of Health. Compliant operators take reasonable steps to prevent secondhand smoke exposure, which includes ensuring that occupants and visitors smoke at least 10 feet away from windows, doors, and entryways. If an outdoor smoking area is offered, operators generally keep it properly labeled, positioned at least 10 feet from all entryways and common areas, and stocked with appropriate disposal receptacles.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 380 § 380-10 gives hotel and motel guests in Ayer the right to smoke-free common areas and guest units, with no unit permitted to be designated as a smoking room. Guests who believe a property is not complying with these requirements — such as lacking required 'NO SMOKING' signage or failing to prevent secondhand smoke — may consider raising the issue with the Ayer Board of Health, which oversees enforcement of this provision. Tenant-rights organizations or local legal aid resources can help guests understand what options may be available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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