Mattapoisett, Mass., Bd. of Health Reg. 19:00 (2021) § 19:10
Smoking
Operative Text
Smoking is prohibited inside of any hotel and motel including any connected portion of which that is occupied by the owner/operator. Common areas including but not limited to lobbies, hallways, and stairways shall be always smoke free. Individual guest units will not be designated as smoke rooms. A) Owners/ Operators are required to make reasonable efforts to prevent second-hand smoke. Occupants and visitors of hotels and motels shall smoke a minimum of ten feet away from windows, doors, entry ways, and other areas which may attribute to second hand smoke. B) Every person having control of premises upon which smoking is prohibited by this regulation shall conspicuously display upon premises “No Smoking” signs. Signs are available from the Mattapoisett Board of Health and should be posted within every common area, guest unit, and any other areas used for human habitation at the licensed facility. C) The hotel and motel may designate a specific area on the outside of the premises where smoking can occur. This are must be properly labeled and maintain a distance of 10 feet from all entryways and common areas. Accommodations for disposing of tobacco products must be provided.
Section 19:10 of the Mattapoisett Board of Health Hotel and Motel Regulations prohibits smoking anywhere inside a hotel or motel, including owner/operator-occupied areas, lobbies, hallways, stairways, and individual guest rooms — none of which may be designated as smoking rooms. Smokers must stay at least ten feet away from windows, doors, and entryways to limit secondhand smoke exposure. Hotels and motels may establish a clearly labeled outdoor smoking area, provided it is at least ten feet from all entryways and common areas and includes proper receptacles for tobacco waste.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 19:10, compliant hotel and motel operators post conspicuous 'No Smoking' signs — available from the Mattapoisett Board of Health — in every common area, guest unit, and habitational space throughout the property. Operators make reasonable efforts to prevent secondhand smoke infiltration, which typically includes communicating the ten-foot outdoor buffer requirement to guests and visitors. If an outdoor smoking area is designated, operators ensure it is properly labeled, positioned at least ten feet from all entryways and common areas, and equipped with appropriate tobacco-disposal receptacles.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 19:10 establishes that guests at Mattapoisett hotels and motels have the right to smoke-free indoor spaces, including their individual guest units, which cannot be designated as smoking rooms under any circumstances. If a guest encounters smoking inside a property or notices missing 'No Smoking' signage, the Mattapoisett Board of Health is the regulatory body that oversees compliance with these regulations and may be a resource for reporting concerns. Tenant-rights organizations or local housing advocates can help guests understand what options may be available when a lodging operator appears to be out of compliance with § 19:10.
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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