Chowchilla Municipal Code Ch. 12.26 Skateboards

This chapter shall apply to the use and operation of skateboards, in-line skates, common roller skates and scooters on all streets, alleys, sidewalks and rights-of-way in the city, whether public or private, and all other property owned by the city and upon private property for which a request for the application of this chapter has been established.

(Ord. 433-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

For the purposes of this title, "skateboard" means a plank or board, whether of wood, fiberglass, plastic, metal or any other material, with wheels attached thereto, and foot propelled without a steering apparatus.

(Ord. 433-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

For the purposes of this title, "common roller skate" means a shoe, boot, or an apparatus worn on a shoe or boot with wheels attached, whether permanently or temporarily, to such shoe, boot or apparatus.

(Ord. 433-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

For the purposes of this title, "in-line skate" means a common roller skate with wheels in a straight line resembling the blade of an ice skate.

(Ord. 433-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

For purposes of this title, "scooter" means a plank or board, whether made of wood, fiberglass, plastic, metal or any other material, with wheels and steering apparatus attached and is foot propelled or motorized.

(Ord. 433-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

A. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall use or operate a skateboard, common roller skates, in-line skates, or a scooter on a public or private street or alley in the city in a business or residence district if there is a sidewalk adjacent and parallel to the street or alley. If no such sidewalk is present in a business or residence district, skateboards, common roller skates, in-line skates, or scooters may be used or operated on a street or alley as far to the right-hand side of the roadway as is practicable and travel in the same direction as traffic.

B. No person shall use or operate a skateboard on that certain street/highway within the city limits of the city generally identified as Robertson Boulevard (also known as Avenue 26 east of State Highway 99).

C. No person shall use or operate a skateboard, common roller skates, in-line skates, or scooter on any public or private street, alley, sidewalk or right-of-way or on any property owned or controlled by the city in a manner which endangers the safety of any other person or property. No person using or operating a skateboard, common roller skates, in-line skates, or a scooter on a public or private street, alley, sidewalk, or right-of-way or any other property owned or controlled by the city shall pass a pedestrian at a distance closer than three feet. If such street, alley, sidewalk, or right-of-way is not sufficiently wide to allow the skateboarder, common roller skater, in-line skater, or person operating a scooter to pass the pedestrian while maintaining a three-foot distance, the skateboarder, common roller skater, in-line skater, or person operating a scooter shall cease to operate the skateboard, common roller skates, in-line skates, or scooter and walk past the pedestrian until such time as the skateboarder, common roller skater, in-line skater, or scooter can maintain a three-foot distance.

D. Section 10.48.230 of the code shall remain in full force and effect and this subsection is supplemental thereto for areas not covered by Section 10.48.230 but otherwise within the definitions of this subsection. No person shall use or operate a skateboard, common roller skates, in-line skates, or scooter within twenty feet of the entrance to any shop, store, or commercial building while such shop, store, or commercial building is open for business.

E. The use of ramps, jumps or any other portable device used to force the skateboard, common roller skates, in-line skates, or scooter off the pavement shall be prohibited on any public street, alley, sidewalk or right-of-way, public property or property owned or controlled by the city and on any private property unless consented to by the owner or owner designee thereof.

F. No person shall be towed on a skateboard, common roller skates, in-line skates, or scooter by the use of any mechanical device.

G. No person shall use or operate a skateboard, common roller skates, in-line skates, or scooter more than one-half hour after sunset or one-half hour prior to sunrise without the use of an arm-mounted light or reflective arm band or reflective clothing; exception: a public owned and designated skateboard park.

H. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this chapter, the provisions of Section 10.48.220 remains in full force and effect with the provisions of this subsection supplemental thereto. The use or operation of skateboards, common roller skates, in-line skates, or scooter shall be prohibited upon any public or private property or property owned or controlled by the city not otherwise controlled by said Section 10.48.230 of the code when such property has been posted pursuant to this section. The city and any owner or owner designee of public or private property are authorized to post or erect signs, at their own expense, prohibiting the use or operation of skateboards, common roller skates, in-line skates or scooter in or on their property. The Chowchilla police department is authorized to enter upon any city public or private property so posted to enforce the provisions of this chapter. Posting as provided herein is not applicable to the provisions of Section 10.48.220 of the code.

Example sign: "Skateboards, Common Roller Skates, In-Line Skates, or Scooters Prohibited on Posted Property by CMC Section 12.26.030H, Chowchilla Police Department."

I. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a motorized scooter, as defined in Section 407.5 of the California Vehicle Code, which is operated in accordance with the provisions of Sections 21200 through 21235, inclusive, of the California Vehicle Code.

J. The city council may provide additional rules and regulations by resolution which shall be enforced and subject to the penalties as provided in this chapter.

(Ord. 433-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

This chapter shall not apply to any private or public facility constructed and engineered for skateboarding, provided such facility is operating in accordance with all applicable laws, ordinances and regulations.

(Ord. 433-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

The city council may, from time to time, designate certain areas for skateboard or skating use. No person shall use the skateboard areas for uses other than skateboarding except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter. The use of any public skateboard facility shall be deemed a hazardous recreational activity within the provisions of Section 831.7 of the Government Code of the state of California. The city of Chowchilla may not be held liable for any injuries incurred by persons that participate in any such hazardous recreational activity.

The city of Chowchilla designates and maintains as a skate park the facility located at the sports and leisure park.

(Ord. 433-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

It is unlawful for a person to ride or use a skateboard in a skate park unless a person is wearing a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads and where the skate park has a sign posted that provides that anyone riding a skateboard in the park must wear a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads or be subject to citation.

(Ord. 433-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

In-line skating shall be permitted in the city's designated skate park facility.

(Ord. 433-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 504-21, adopted March 23, 2021, repealed former § 12.26.056 which pertained to use of tobacco prohibited, and derived from Ord. 433-06 § 1, adopted in 2006.

The riding or other use of bicycles and scooters is prohibited in the city's designated skate park facility.

(Ord. 433-06 § 1 (part), 2006)

Violation of any of the provisions of this chapter may be grounds for removal from designated skateboarding/skating areas and shall be punishable as an infraction under the provisions of Section 1.16.010 of the Chowchilla Municipal Code.

(Ord. 433-06 § 1 (part), 2006)