Chapter 12.12 PARK REGULATIONS

The mayor may make and promulgate reasonable rules and regulations for safety and sanitation and periods of public use of public parks of the city, which shall be posted in conspicuous places in or adjacent to any park of the city. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 250 § 4, 1967).

12.12.020 Unauthorized motor vehicles.

Motor vehicles are prohibited in all areas of any city park, except that motor vehicles licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing are permitted in areas designated for parking only. For purposes of this section, “motor vehicles” are defined as any device with two or more wheels powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion. Examples of “motor vehicles” include, but are not limited to, motorized foot scooters, mini-motorcycles, and motorized toys, commonly referred to as power wheels. This section shall not apply to any disabled person using a wheelchair conveyance as defined in RCW 46.04.710, or city-owned or approved park maintenance vehicles. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1150 § 1, 2005; Ord. 454 § 6(1), 1977).

12.12.030 Alcoholic beverages.

No person shall possess or consume an alcoholic beverage in any city park. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(2), 1977).

12.12.035 City-designated beer gardens and/or wine tasting areas.

Notwithstanding the provisions of BLMC 12.12.030, it shall not be unlawful for any person over 21 years of age to possess or consume alcoholic beverages within any city-designated beer garden and/or wine tasting area at Allan Yorke Park during the annual Bonney Lake Days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the third weekend in August. The mayor or his or her designee is authorized to impose such regulations upon such operations as he or she deems appropriate; provided, that the city-designated beer garden and/or wine tasting area shall not open any sooner than 12:00 p.m. on each day of the annual event and shall be allowed to remain open until the day’s planned event ends, or earlier, if circumstances so require. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1015 § 1, 2004).

12.12.040 Hours of use.

City parks shall be open from dawn until dusk each day. No person shall go upon any city park except during opening hours. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(3), 1977).

12.12.050 Group use.

Groups of more than 50 people shall not be allowed to use any city park without first obtaining a permit from the city. The conditions for issuance of a permit shall be set by the city clerk, and shall be designed to mitigate problems caused by large groups, such as park overcrowding, noise, traffic, safety concerns, competition over park facilities, littering, crime, and damage to park facilities. Groups wishing to reserve park facilities such as ballfields and picnic shelters must make a reservation prior to such use by contacting the community services department. Reservation fees are listed in BLMC 12.12.055. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(4), 1977).

12.12.051 Boat launch facilities – Fees established.

There is fixed and established the following schedule of fees to be charged by the city for use of the boat launch facilities:

A. A resident boat launch admission card (“card”) shall be available at Bonney Lake City Hall. The cost of the card shall be $25.00 per watercraft per year. Residency will be verified through utility accounts information, current Washington State driver’s license or other acceptable proof of residency. The card shall not be transferable to other watercraft. Resident watercraft ownership must be verified by state license of the watercraft, if applicable, or some other acceptable proof of ownership. The card will expire on December 31st of each year.

B. A fee of $8.50, paid electronically, will be required, per launch or recovery, at the boat launch facilities for any watercraft not issued a valid card for which a currently authorized card is not being used.

C. The administrative fee for replacement of a card is $100.00. No refunds will be given for lost, stolen, or unused cards.

D. The city may temporarily close the boat launch facility without advance notice. No refunds will be given for the temporary or permanent closure of the boat launch facility.

E. The mayor is authorized to promulgate policies and procedures necessary for the implementation of this section and the administration of the boat launch program. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1037 § 1, 2004; Ord. 826 § 8, 1999; Ord. 669 § 1, 1993).

12.12.052 Disposition of boat launch fees.

All costs of the program will be paid from the gross revenues collected. The balance of any moneys after the expenses are to be split evenly between the park department and the police department. The park department funds shall be used solely for park facilities operation, maintenance and improvements to park department facilities. Police department funds shall be used solely for the water safety and park enforcement programs. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 669 § 2, 1993).

12.12.053 Administration of program.

Repealed by Ord. 1232. (Ord. 669 § 3, 1993).

12.12.055 Fees established.

There is fixed and established the following schedule of fees to be charged for reserved use of the following designated facilities:


Soccer and baseball fields:
First two hours of rental	$7.00
Each additional two hours	$7.00
Picnic areas:
1 – 50 persons	$25.00
51 – 150 persons	$50.00
151+ persons	$75.00

(Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 826 § 9, 1999; Ord. 661 § 1, 1993).

12.12.057 Disposition of fee moneys.

All such fees collected from the use of the concession stand, soccer fields, baseball fields and picnic areas, and revenues derived from cellular towers sited in city parks shall be paid into the parks department fund and shall be used solely for park facilities’ operations and maintenance and/or park facilities’ improvements. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 661 § 2, 1993).

12.12.060 City ordinances to remain in effect.

The ordinances of the city and the laws of the state not in conflict with BLMC 12.12.020 through 12.12.050 shall remain in full force and effect as to city parks. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(5), 1977).

12.12.070 Structures and signs.

No person, firm or corporation shall use, place or erect any placard, notice, sign or device or any kind of advertising in any park, or erect a structure of any kind in any park; provided, however, the community services director, or his or her designated representative, may permit the erection of temporary directional signs, decorations, advertising signs or temporary stands and buildings on occasions of group or public meetings, or for purposes of organized athletic events. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(6), 1977).

12.12.080 Injuring plants.

No person shall, without the written permission of the community services director or his or her designated representative, cut, injure, deface, remove or disturb any tree, shrub, plant, building, fence, bench or other structure, apparatus or property in a public park or a public place, or injure, misuse or remove any device placed to protect such tree, shrub, building, fence, bench, or other structure, apparatus or property. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(7), 1977).

12.12.090 Entering posted areas.

No person shall enter upon any portion of lawn or ground within a public park or a public place when notified by a sign placed in such park or public place, or by a police officer, not to enter upon such lawn or ground. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(8), 1977).

12.12.100 Littering.

No person shall throw or deposit any refuse, litter, garbage or other waste materials in any park or public place, except in designated receptacles. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(9), 1977).

12.12.110 Fires.

No person shall make or kindle any fire in a public park or public place except at places designated for such purpose. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(10), 1977).

12.12.120 Remaining after closing hours.

Unless authorized by the community services director, no person or motor vehicle shall remain in a public park or public place after the posted closing hours. Any motor vehicle found parked in violation shall be towed away at the owner’s expense and/or cited. Signs shall be posted in parking areas in public places designating such places as tow-away zones. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(11), 1977).

12.12.130 Animals at large.

No person shall allow or permit any animal to run at large in any public park. Animals are permitted if kept on a leash no longer than eight feet, or confined and under control at all times. Any person with an animal in his or her possession or control in any city park shall be responsible for the conduct of the animal and removing from the park grounds fecal matter deposited by such animal. Horses shall not be permitted in any city park except where specifically designated. This regulation may be temporarily waived by the community services director for special events. No person may fish where a sign prohibiting such activity is posted. All laws, rules, and regulations of the state of Washington relating to season catch limits and methods of fishing shall apply to all city parks and public places. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(12), 1977).

12.12.140 Firearms.

No person shall possess, use or discharge any firearm, air gun, BB gun, slingshot or any bow and arrow in a public park, or use or discharge any such weapon in a public place, unless otherwise authorized as a part of an organized recreation program of the park and recreation department of the city, or other public agency. A violator of this section may be cited into an appropriate court of law and charged with a misdemeanor. Conviction of such misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(13), 1977).

12.12.145 Fireworks prohibited.

No person shall possess, nor allow any minor child under said person’s immediate supervision to use, possess or explode any fireworks in any public park unless such possession or use is part of a duly authorized public display. The term “fireworks” shall include “common fireworks” as per the provisions of Chapter 70.77 RCW. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454B § 1, 1983).

12.12.150 Molesting animals.

No person shall molest, catch, injure or kill, or throw any stone or missile of any kind at, or strike with any stick or weapon, any animal or bird in a public park or public place. A violator of this section may be cited into an appropriate court of law and charged with a misdemeanor. Conviction of such misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(14), 1977).

12.12.160 Soliciting.

No person shall solicit or ask for the payment or gift of money, or sell, offer or solicit for sale, any goods, services or merchandise in a public park or public place without the prior written permit from the city clerk or his designated representative. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(15), 1977).

12.12.170 Amplified sound.

No person shall operate or use any loudspeaker or mechanical means of amplifying sound in any public park or public place without the prior written consent of the police chief or his or her designated representative. Loud music, loud muffler noise, and loitering in vehicles in city parks shall be prohibited. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(16), 1977).

12.12.180 Exhibitions.

No person shall conduct any circus, carnival or similar exhibition except as a part of an organized recreation program of the parks and recreation department. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(17), 1977).

12.12.190 Boats – Operation.

No person shall have, keep or operate any boat or other watercraft within the limits of any park or land the same at any point on the shore bordering any park, except at places designated for such purpose or except in an emergency. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(18), 1977).

12.12.200 Boats – Compliance with Pierce County water regulations required.

Repealed by Ord. 1028. (Ord. 454A § 2, 1978).

12.12.210 Bicycles.

No person shall ride or drive any bicycle or motor vehicle over or through any public park or public place except along and upon public roads, streets or other designated areas therein, or operate any vehicle at a speed in excess of the posted speed limit. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(20), 1977).

12.12.220 Games.

No person shall practice or play golf, baseball or other games of like character in any public park or public place except at places designated for such purposes. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(21), 1977).

12.12.230 Trees.

No person shall, without the written permission of the city engineer or his designated representative, place or hereafter maintain upon the ground in a public park or public place any stone, cement or other substance which shall impede the free entrance of water and air to the roots of any tree planted in such public park or public place, without leaving an open space of ground outside the trunk of the tree not less than four feet square. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(22), 1977).

12.12.240 Interference with employees.

No person, firm or corporation shall prevent, delay or interfere with the employees of the city in the planting, pruning, spraying or removing of trees, plants or shrubs in a public park or a public place. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 454 § 6(23), 1977).

12.12.250 Violations – Penalties.

The acts or conditions enumerated in this chapter are proclaimed to be public nuisances. Those persons responsible for maintaining with knowledge such nuisance shall be subject to immediate ejection from the city park area and served with a no trespass order by the police department. Unless otherwise specifically set forth herein, a violator may also be charged with an infraction for which the penalty shall be as follows:


1st offense within one year	$45.00
2nd offense within one year	$150.00
3rd offense within one year	$200.00

Persons charged with infractions shall be processed by the municipal court in the same manner as persons charged with traffic infractions. Persons failing to appear for hearings for violations of this chapter shall be subject to the penalties set forth in BLMC 1.16.030. (Ord. 1232 § 1, 2007; Ord. 656 § 3, 1992; Ord. 454 § 6(23), 1977).