Chapter 8.23
SKATING AND SKATEBOARDING REGULATIONS
Sections:
8.23.030 Guidelines for signs.
8.23.040 Regulations for roadways.
8.23.050 Regulations for sidewalks.
8.23.060 Penalty for violation and enforcement.
8.23.010 Definitions.
The following words and phrases, whenever used in this chapter, shall be construed as defined in this section:
(A) “Business” means any sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, corporation or other business entity formed for profit-making purposes, including retail establishments where goods or services are sold as well as professional corporations and other entities where legal, medical, dental, engineering, architectural or other professional services are delivered.
(B) “Nonprofit establishment” means any corporation, unincorporated association, or other entity created for charitable, religious, philanthropic, educational, character building, political, social or other similar purposes, the net proceeds from the operations of which are committed to the promotion of the objects or purposes of the organization and not for private financial gain. A public agency is not a nonprofit establishment within the meaning of this section.
(C) “Public property” means any property owned, operated, or leased by a Federal, State or local public entity, including the County of Santa Cruz. [Ord. 4450 § 1, 1997].
8.23.020 Prohibited areas.
It is unlawful for any person(s) riding in or on, or by means of any skateboard, roller skates, roller blades, coaster, or similar device to go in or on the following prohibited areas:
(A) Tennis courts on public property;
(B) Any portion of construction projects, whether or not completed, located on public or private property;
(C) Soquel Village, Zone A, as defined by SCCC 9.42.030, including the streets and sidewalks within the Soquel Village, Zone A;
(D) Walls, steps, driveways, or parking lots on public property, provided the area is clearly and conspicuously posted with signs stating “Skating and Skateboarding Prohibited (Santa Cruz County Code 8.23.020)”; and
(E) Any private property open to the public which is specifically hereinafter listed, provided the area is clearly and conspicuously posted with signs stating “Skating and Skateboarding Prohibited (Santa Cruz County Code 8.23.020)”:
(1) Parking lots of a shopping center, business, or nonprofit establishment;
(2) Driveways of a shopping center, business, or nonprofit establishment;
(3) On walls, steps, or railings of a shopping center, business, or nonprofit establishment;
(4) Sidewalks and pedestrian ways within a shopping center. [Ord. 4450 § 1, 1997].
8.23.030 Guidelines for signs.
The following guidelines are provided for any signs required by this chapter:
(A) Size. The size of the sign(s) should be no greater than one foot by one foot.
(B) Language. The wording on the signs shall be as follows: “Skating and Skateboarding Prohibited. Santa Cruz County Code Section 8.23.020.” The first two words should ordinarily be considerably larger than the remaining part of the message.
(C) Location. Signs should appear at all entrances and around the periphery of the area of prohibition. The spacing of the signs should be frequent enough to alert prospective violators, but not so many as to constitute an eyesore. Usually signs should be at least once every 60 feet, but not more often than once every 30 feet. [Ord. 4450 § 1, 1997].
8.23.040 Regulations for roadways.
It is unlawful for any person to ride in or on a skateboard, roller skates, roller blades, coaster or similar device, on or across any road, street or highway in such a manner as to interfere with the movement of vehicles thereon, or in such a way as to create an unreasonable risk or harm to vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21967, the following rules and regulations shall apply to riding or propelling of skateboards and the other above-listed devices on roadways. Skateboards and the other above-listed devices must:
(A) Stop at all stop signs and red signals;
(B) Yield to all vehicles at yield signs;
(C) Yield to pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks;
(D) Not impede traffic or interfere with the flow of vehicular traffic;
(E) Yield to approaching vehicles when entering any roadway;
(F) Not be towed by a motor vehicle of any speed or a bicycle at an unsafe speed;
(G) Yield bicycle lanes to bicycles and not use bicycle lanes in any manner contrary to the free and open use of those lanes by bicycles;
(H) Not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and travel into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. [Ord. 5304 § 20, 2019; Ord. 4450 § 1, 1997].
8.23.050 Regulations for sidewalks.
When riding a skateboard, roller skates, roller blades, coaster, or similar device, on sidewalks or other areas where it is not prohibited, those person(s) riding or propelling such devices shall:
(A) Yield to all other pedestrians;
(B) Proceed with due care and at a safe speed when in the presence of pedestrians or on any sidewalk where there is the possibility of a pedestrian suddenly emerging onto the sidewalk from a business or residence. [Ord. 5304 § 20, 2019; Ord. 4450 § 1, 1997].
8.23.060 Penalty for violation and enforcement.
(A) Any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be an infraction punishable as provided in SCCC 1.12.040.
(B) Property owners shall be responsible for posting the signs required by this chapter, for being willing to sign citations, and for assisting with prosecution of citations. [Ord. 5304 § 20, 2019; Ord. 4450 § 1, 1997].