Tri City Rentals Confirms 2,739 Smoke-Free Apartment Homes Across Rochester Communities

Tri City Rentals, a leading apartment management company serving the Greater Rochester region as well as Greater Buffalo and the Capital Region, confirmed that 2,739 apartment homes across 10 Rochester-area properties are now 100% smoke-free, marking a major milestone in the company’s smoke-free housing initiative.

The company-wide policy, which took full effect in September 2025, prohibits smoking and vaping inside all individual apartment units and within a 50-foot perimeter of all buildings for employees. The policy now fully covers all Tri City Rentals apartment communities in the Rochester area, benefiting thousands of residents through improved air quality, safety, and quality of life. 

Tri City Rentals first announced the smoke-free initiative in May 2024 and implemented the policy through a phased approach, incorporating smoke-free language into all new and renewing leases. Throughout the transition, the company worked closely with residents to provide advance notice, clear communication, and supportive resources to ensure a smooth and equitable rollout.

The move addresses well-documented public health concerns related to secondhand smoke exposure in multi-unit housing. According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), up to 65% of the air in a multi-unit apartment can originate from other units, allowing secondhand smoke to travel between homes. ASHRAE emphasizes that “the only means of avoiding health effects and eliminating indoor environmental tobacco smoke exposure is to ban all smoking activity inside and near buildings.”

“As local tobacco control specialists who focus on smoke-free policies, our program is thrilled to see Tri City Rentals prioritizing the health of its tenants by expanding smoke-free living environments. There is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure, and eliminating this exposure significantly improves the health, wellness, and safety of residents, visitors, and employees,” said Lindsay Kremers, Community Engagement Lead of the Smoking and Health Action Coalition of Livingston and Monroe Counties.

“This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to the well-being of our residents and employees. Creating smoke-free communities helps protect health, reduce safety risks, and support cleaner, more enjoyable living environments for everyone who calls a Tri City Rentals community home,” said Julie Massry Knox, Director of Marketing, Tri City Rentals.

“In addition to protecting residents from secondhand smoke exposure, smoke-free housing policies help reduce fire risk, lower maintenance and turnover costs, and enhance overall community appeal. Tri City Rentals’ policy aligns with a growing national movement among property owners and managers who recognize the public health, environmental, and operational benefits of smoke-free housing,” added Knox.

About Tri City Rentals
For more than sixty years, Tri City Rentals has owned and managed premier apartment communities throughout New York State. Its portfolio includes 26 communities in the Capital Region, 10 communities in Monroe County (Greater Rochester), and nine communities in Erie County (Greater Buffalo). For more information, visit www.tricityrentals.com or contact Julie Massry Knox, Director of Marketing, Tri City Rentals, [email protected] | (518) 862-6600

About the Smoking and Health Action Coalition of Livingston and Monroe Counties
The Smoking and Health Action Coalition of Livingston and Monroe Counties (SHAC) is a New York State Bureau of Tobacco Control–funded program administered by the American Lung Association. SHAC works to increase support for New York State’s tobacco-free norm through youth action and community engagement using evidence-based, policy-driven strategies. Learn more at www.smokingandhealth.org or contact Lindsay Kremers, Community Engagement Coordinator, Smoking and Health Action Coalition of Livingston and Monroe Counties , [email protected] | (585) 490-8715