Calabasas Municipal Code Ch. 8.32 Use of Skateboards

The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the use of skateboards within the city pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21967. The city council, after due consideration of the probability and gravity of potential injuries to persons and property, as well as consideration of the practicability and cost of protecting against the risk of such injury, has determined that the provisions of this chapter represent reasonable measures to protect persons and property.

(Ord. 2001-161 § 1, (part), 2001)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:

"Public parking lots" means all parking facilities, of whatever nature, owned, operated, or maintained by the city, open to the use of the public for purposes of parking motorized vehicles, and shall including ingress and egress of such areas.

"Road" or "roadway" means defined within California Vehicle Code Sections 527 and 530.

"Sidewalk" means a portion of a street, other than the roadway, set apart by curbs, barriers, markings or other delineation located between the roadway and adjacent property lines for pedestrian travel.

"Skateboard" means a single platform, which is mounted upon wheels, of any material upon which any person may ride, and such device may be used for moving or self propulsion (including self-propelled scooters). This definition shall not include the following:

1. Wheelchairs or other wheeled devices or conveyances operated by the disabled and tricycles ridden by children under the age of five;

2. Devices or conveyances whose primary purpose is used for carrying infants, small children or goods;

3. Devices or conveyances operated by any employee of the city and acting within the course and scope of his or her employment.

Streets. As defined within California Vehicle Code Sections 590 and 591, "streets" means a way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. Street includes highway.

(Ord. 2001-161 § 1, (part), 2001)

A. No person shall ride a skateboard, or cause or permit same to roll or coast in the following areas:

1. Any roadway within the city;

2. Any public parking lot located within the city;

3. Any publicly owned tennis court;

4. Any construction site located on public property;

5. During "darkness" as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 280, unless a rider is wearing a reflective device or clothing in a manner that is visible during the hours of darkness;

6. Any privately owned property, including a parking lot, if (1) the owner of the property has first placed signs in plain view at each vehicular entrance and/or exit to the lot, and (2) the signs are not less than seventeen (17) by twenty-two (22) inches in size with lettering not less than one inch in height, and (3) the signs state: "Unlawful to ride or propel skateboards or similar devices, on this property. Calabasas Municipal Code Chapter 8.32."

B. Further, a person riding or propelling a skateboard on sidewalks:

1. Shall not impede or interfere with the flow of vehicular traffic;

2. Shall yield to all pedestrians, including at or in marked and unmarked crosswalks;

3. Shall 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;

4. Shall obey all stop signs, traffic signals, yield signs and other such traffic control devices;

5. Shall not travel at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent having due regard for the pedestrian or vehicle traffic, width of the sidewalk, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property;

6. Shall not operate any skateboard in any place in the city in such an unsafe or dangerous manner, as to put himself/herself or others in danger of serious bodily injury or death;

7. Shall not operate any skateboard to damage any property.

(Ord. 2001-161 § 1, (part), 2001)

Because skateboarding is considered a hazardous recreational activity, all persons eighteen (18) years of age or younger operating a skateboard in any area where skateboards are permitted to be operated shall be required to wear a helmet, knee pads and elbow pads.

(Ord. 2001-161 § 1, (part), 2001)

This chapter shall be enforced by the Los Angeles County sheriff's department. Warnings of violations can be given at the discretion of the sheriff's deputy. Violation of this chapter is deemed to be an infraction and is punishable according to the provisions of Section 1.16.020 (B) of the this Code. Violators may be required to appear before the Calabasas Teen Court.

(Ord. 2001-161 § 1, (part), 2001)

The prohibitions set forth in Section 8.32.030 shall not be applicable to:

A. Skateboards operated in designated areas approved by the city council such as a "skate park";

B. Skateboards operated on sidewalks within city parks;

C. Skateboards operated while crossing a street at a marked crosswalk or at intersections designated for crossing;

D. Skateboards operated in private property if permission is granted by owner, manager or agent of property.

(Ord. 2001-161 § 1, (part), 2001)