Chapter 11.12
ALISO VIEJO RANCH

Sections:

11.12.010    Definitions.

11.12.020    Applicability.

11.12.030    Aliso Viejo Ranch regulations.

11.12.010 Definitions.

The following words shall have the meaning indicated when used in these regulations:

“Aliso Viejo Ranch” means the Aliso Viejo Ranch and its related facilities that include, without limitation, the parking lot and structures that are located at 100 and 110 Park Avenue, Aliso Viejo, California 92656.

“Amplified sound” means sound wave, vibration, or speech projected by electronic equipment, including amplifiers.

“Bounce house” means an inflatable apparatus designed for use as a slide or for jumping; sometimes also referred to as a “jumper” or “jump house” or “bouncer.”

“Camp” means to place, erect, maintain, pitch or occupy camp facilities and/or to use camp paraphernalia.

“Camp facility” includes, but is not limited to, tents, huts, or other temporary physical shelters, including, but not limited to, cots, beds, sleeping bags, hammocks or bedrolls.

“Camp paraphernalia” includes, but is not limited to, tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, hammocks or non-city-designated cooking facilities and similar equipment.

“City” means the city of Aliso Viejo, California.

“Council” means the city council of the city of Aliso Viejo, or any person authorized by the council, pursuant to state law, to act in its stead.

“Drone” has the same meaning as set forth in AVMC 8.30.020.

“Farm” means the portion of the Aliso Viejo Ranch that is managed by the farm operator in accordance with a license, lease, or similar agreement with the city.

“Farm operator” means the individual or entity who operates the farm pursuant to an agreement with the city.

“Service dog” means dogs which have been specially trained and are being used by blind or disabled persons to aid and guide them in their movements.

“Smoke” or “smoking” means and includes the carrying or holding of a lighted pipe or a lighted cigar or a lighted cigarette of any kind or any other lighted smoking equipment, and the lighting of a pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind, and inhaling, emitting or exhaling the smoke of a pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind. “Smoke” or “smoking” also means and includes the use of an electronic smoking device that creates an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or in any form.

“Store” means to put aside or accumulate for use when needed, to put for safekeeping, to place or leave in a location.

“Vehicle” means any device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or drawn, excepting a device moved by human power.

“Vehicular travel” means travel by a vehicle. [Ord. 2021-221 § 5].

11.12.020 Applicability.

The regulations provided in this chapter govern the use of the Aliso Viejo Ranch. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the regulations in Chapter 11.10 AVMC (Parks) do not apply to the Aliso Viejo Ranch. [Ord. 2021-221 § 5].

11.12.030 Aliso Viejo Ranch regulations.

A. Duty to Comply. No person shall enter, be, or remain at the Aliso Viejo Ranch unless he or she complies at all times with all of the posted city regulations applicable to the Aliso Viejo Ranch and with all other applicable laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations. Any person who violates any posted city regulation applicable to the Aliso Viejo Ranch may be subject to ejection, administrative, criminal, and/or civil penalties.

B. Hours of Operation, Gates and Closed Areas.

1. Farm Portion. The hours of operation for the farm shall be posted by the farm operator and consistent with any limitations provided in the operative agreement with the city and approved use permits.

2. Non-Farm Portion. The hours of operation for areas of the Aliso Viejo Ranch that are not covered by subsection (B)(1) of this section shall be established by the city manager, or his or her designee.

3. Private and City-Sponsored Events.

a. The hours of operation established under subsection (B)(2) of this section may be shortened or extended to accommodate city-sponsored events or private events with a city-issued permit and shall be consistent with any approved use permits.

b. Notice of the adjusted hours shall be posted in at least two conspicuous locations on the day that the adjusted hours will be in effect.

4. After Hours. It is unlawful for any person to be or remain at the Aliso Viejo Ranch after the hours of operation established under subsections (B)(1) through (3) of this section. Any person who attends an event on the premises of the farm, a city-sponsored event or private event with a city-issued permit shall not be in violation of this section while that event is in progress. Attendees must promptly leave the Aliso Viejo Ranch at the conclusion of their event.

5. Locked Gates and Doors. No person shall unlock or otherwise open a locked gate or a locked door at the Aliso Viejo Ranch without advance permission from the city or farm operator, as applicable.

6. Closure.

a. The city manager, or his or her designee, may designate areas of the Aliso Viejo Ranch where entry is prohibited in the interest of public convenience or safety or for the preservation and protection of natural or cultural resources.

b. Notice shall be posted in a conspicuous location outside of any area of the Aliso Viejo Ranch that is closed under subsection (B)(6)(a) of this section.

c. Except as otherwise authorized by the city, no person shall enter any area of the Aliso Viejo Ranch that is closed under subsection (B)(6)(a) of this section.

C. Priority Events – Interference With Agency Functions.

1. Priority Events. It is unlawful for any person to refuse or fail to surrender the use of any portion of the Aliso Viejo Ranch that is part of a city-sponsored event or private event with a city-issued permit.

2. Interference. No person shall threaten, resist, intimidate, or intentionally interfere with an employee or volunteer of the city or other agent engaged in an official duty at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

3. Lawful Order. No person shall violate the lawful order of a city employee or other agent authorized to maintain order and control public access and movement at the Aliso Viejo Ranch. Such orders include during firefighting operations, search and rescue operations, wildlife management operations involving animals that pose a threat to public safety, law enforcement actions, and emergency operations that involve a threat to public safety or Aliso Viejo Ranch resources and other activities where the control of public movement and activities is necessary to maintain order and public safety.

4. False Information. No person shall knowingly give a false or fictitious report or other false information to a city employee or other agent in the conduct of official duty or on an application for a permit at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

5. False Report. No person shall knowingly give a false report for the purpose of misleading a city employee or agent in the conduct of official duty, or make a false report that leads to an emergency or other response by the city or other agencies at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

D. Parking – Electric Vehicle Charging.

1. No vehicle may park at the Aliso Viejo Ranch unless the vehicle belongs to a person employed at or visiting the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

2. After Hours Parking. Vehicles may not be parked at the Aliso Viejo Ranch after the posted hours of operation established under subsections (B)(1) through (3) of this section. A vehicle belonging to any person who attends a city-sponsored event, private event with a city-issued permit, or event on the premises of the farm shall not be in violation of this section while that meeting or event is in progress.

3. Electric Vehicle Charging. Electric vehicle charging stations may only be used when the Aliso Viejo Ranch is open to the public as set forth in subsection (B) of this section.

4. Removal of Vehicles. Vehicles parked in areas not designated for parking or in violation of the standards set forth in subsections (D)(1) through (3) of this section may be removed and stored at the owner’s expense by the city manager or designee.

E. Camping. It is unlawful for any person to camp or store personal property at the Aliso Viejo Ranch without permission from the city manager or designee.

F. Alcohol – Glass Containers.

1. Alcohol Possession. Except as expressly authorized by the city, no person shall possess any can, bottle, or other receptacle containing any alcoholic beverage that has been opened, or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed. Penalties for violating this subsection (F)(1) include ejection from the Aliso Viejo Ranch, issuance of an administrative citation and prosecution as an infraction.

2. Alcohol Consumption. Except as expressly authorized by the city, no person shall consume any alcoholic beverage at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

3. Glass Containers. Except as expressly authorized by the city, no person shall possess a glass container at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

G. Smoking. No person shall smoke at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

H. Littering. No person shall leave, deposit, drop or scatter any bottles, broken glass, ashes, wastepaper, cans or other rubbish, garbage, litter, food product, refuse or similar waste matter in or on the Aliso Viejo Ranch except in a designated trash receptacle.

I. Animals.

1. Except as provided in subsection (I)(2) of this section, no person shall cause, permit, or allow any animal owned or possessed by him or her, or any animal in his or her care, custody, or control to be present at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

2. The prohibitions provided in subsection (I)(1) do not apply to:

a. Service dogs.

b. Non-service dogs; provided, that all of the following are satisfied:

i. The dog is restrained by a secure leash not more than six feet in length;

ii. The leash is held continuously in the hands of a responsible person capable of controlling the dog;

iii. The dog remains outdoors at all times; and

iv. The person responsible for the dog immediately removes and disposes of all feces deposited by the dog.

c. Animals authorized in accordance with Condition of Approval No. 25 from Section 10 of City Council Resolution No. 2018-31.

d. Animals that are specifically authorized by the city manager or designee.

J. Loudspeakers and Sound Amplification Devices. Except as authorized by the city or farm operator, the use of loudspeakers or sound amplification devices at the Aliso Viejo Ranch is prohibited. Any authorized use of sound amplification shall be consistent with any approved use permits and at no point shall the sound exceed the noise limits identified in Chapter 8.12 AVMC.

K. Film, Video, and Still Photography. Commercial photography and videography at the Aliso Viejo Ranch that are for the private noncommercial use of the person(s) being photographed or recorded (e.g., engagement sessions, family portraits, holiday photos, graduation pictures, etc.) require a reservation and permit from the city. All other commercial photography and videography at the Aliso Viejo Ranch are governed by AVMC 15.46.020.

L. Vending and Commercial Activity.

1. Subject to subsections (L)(2) and (3) of this section, no person shall sell or offer for sale any goods, wares, merchandise or food products or provide any services, lessons or classes within the Aliso Viejo Ranch without a written permit from the city.

2. Subsection (L)(1) of this section does not apply to city-sponsored activities that are specifically exempted by the city manager or designee or activities taking place on and authorized by the farm.

3. Sidewalk vending, as defined in AVMC 4.05.020, shall be subject to the regulations and penalties set forth in Chapter 4.05 AVMC.

M. Bounce Houses, Petting Zoos and Related Activities.

1. No person shall inflate a bounce house at the Aliso Viejo Ranch without a city-issued permit.

2. Except for activities occurring on and authorized by the farm, no person shall set up a petting zoo or any other similar activity at the Aliso Viejo Ranch without a city-issued permit.

N. Property Damage. Except as otherwise authorized by the city, no person shall do any of the following at the Aliso Viejo Ranch:

1. Destroy, injure, deface, remove, dig, or disturb from its natural state any plant or the parts or the products thereof;

2. Destroy, injure, deface, dig, move, or disturb any cultural, archaeological or historical artifact; or

3. Destroy, injure, deface, move, dig or disturb any improvement or amenity, including fences, gates, and furniture.

O. Electric Mobility Devices.

1. Subject to subsection (O)(2) of this section or as otherwise authorized by the city, no person shall ride or operate an electric bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electrically motorized board or motorized scooter at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

2. Subsection (O)(1) of this section shall not apply to:

a. Public safety personnel in the performance of their duties.

b. Any person who is operating a self-propelled wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle and, by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian.

P. Drones and Radio-Controlled Models.

1. Drones. All drones at the Aliso Viejo Ranch shall be subject to the regulations set forth in Chapter 8.30 AVMC.

2. Radio-Controlled Models. Except as otherwise authorized by the city, no person shall possess or operate any radio-controlled or other remotely operated model, toy, or similar device, including but not limited to cars, boats, rockets, airplanes or gliders at the Aliso Viejo Ranch. This subsection (P)(2) does not cover drones, which are subject to Chapter 8.30 AVMC.

Q. Powerless Flight. Except as otherwise authorized by the city, no person shall operate any device designed to carry a person or persons through the air in powerless flight, including but not limited to hang gliders, paragliders, parasails, or parachutes at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

R. Diving/Jumping. Except as otherwise authorized by the city, no person shall dive or jump into any body of water at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

S. Fire Regulation.

1. Subject to subsection (S)(2) of this section, no person shall build, light, or maintain any fire at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

2. Subsection (S)(1) of this section does not apply to fires built, lighted, and maintained with express permission from the city or in accordance with a permit issued by the Orange County fire authority. Fires authorized under this subsection (S)(2) must comply with all of the following:

a. All deadwood, moss, dry leaves, and other combustible materials must be cleared within 25-foot radius of the fire.

b. When a fire is no longer needed (e.g., the group is leaving), the fire must be extinguished by thoroughly wetting and stirring the combustible material and covering it with sand or dirt.

c. Persons who cannot safely extinguish their fire shall promptly notify the Orange County fire authority.

3. City staff and/or the Orange County fire authority may order the extinguishment of any fire otherwise permitted under subsection (S)(2) of this section for any public safety or welfare reason. Such reasons include, but are not limited to, the fire’s location or proximity to a hazardous fire area, types of fuel, wind speed, wind direction, or flying embers.

T. Sale or Distribution of Printed Matter – Decals.

1. Printed Matters. Except as otherwise authorized by the city, no person shall distribute commercial or advertising material at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

2. Decals. Except as otherwise authorized by the city, no person shall affix any decal, sticker or similar object to any improvement or amenity or any structure or its furnishings or fixtures at the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

U. Eviction.

1. Any person who violates any of the prohibited conduct provisions in this chapter or any other provision of federal, state, or local law is subject to eviction from the Aliso Viejo Ranch.

2. No person evicted from the Aliso Viejo Ranch shall remain in or return to the Aliso Viejo Ranch until at least 24 hours have passed since said eviction occurred. [Ord. 2021-221 § 5].