Covina Municipal Code Ch. 9.48 Conduct in Parks

[1]

Prior history: 1964 Code § 17.34; Ords. 1501, 1506, 1588, 1641, 1669 and 1677.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:

A.

"Alcoholic beverages"

includes alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, beer and every liquid containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume and which is fit for beverage purposes either alone or when diluted, mixed or combined with other substances.

B.

"Bicycle"

means a device upon which any person may ride, propelled exclusively by human power, except as provided in Section 312.5 of the California Vehicle Code, through a belt, chain, or gears, and having one or more wheels. An electric bicycle is a bicycle.

C.

"Director"

means a person immediately in charge of any park area and its activities, and to whom all park or recreation personnel of such area are responsible, or other person authorized by him, pursuant to law, to act in his stead.

D.

“Electronic smoking device”

means any device that may be used to deliver any aerosolized or vaporized substance to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, an e-cigarette, e-cigar, e-pipe, vape pen, or e-hookah.

E.

"Motor vehicle"

means any multi-wheeled, treaded, or sled-type vehicle that is propelled by a motor or engine. “Motor vehicles” include any commonly known as a “motorized recreation vehicle,” and any self-propelled vehicle that is presently defined by Sections 400 and 405 of the Vehicle Code of the state as a motorcycle or motor-driven vehicle.

F.

"Narcotics and dangerous drugs"

means those narcotics and drugs listed or defined in the Health and Safety Code of the state as now or hereafter amended.

G.

"Park"

means a park, reservation, playground, recreation center or any other area in the city, owned, managed, used or controlled by the city, and devoted to active or passive recreation. “Park” shall include the entire site of the park, including, without limitation, all structures thereon, any parking lots, and any public sidewalk adjacent to the park site.

H.

"Person"

means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.

I.

“Public area”

means the same as defined in CMC Section 9.54.010.

J.

"Roller skate" or "in-line skate"

means any shoe, boot or other footwear to which one or more wheels are attached and includes roller blades.

K.

"Scooter"

means any platform of any composition or size mounted between two or more wheels with an upright steering handle attached thereto.

L.

"Smoke" or "smoking"

means possessing, carrying, holding or burning of a cigarette, cigar, pipe, or any other lighted smoking product or equipment, including electronic smoking devices, used to burn any form of tobacco, weed, plant or any other similar combustible substance. “Smoke” or “smoking” also includes inhaling, exhaling or emitting the fumes of any lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, or any other lighted smoking product or equipment used to burn any form of tobacco, weed, plant, or any other similar combustible substance.

M.

"Skateboard"

means any platform of any composition or size to which two or more wheels are attached and which is intended to be ridden or propelled by one or more persons standing or kneeling upon it and to which there is not affixed any seat or any other device or mechanism to turn and control the wheels.

N.

"Other wheeled recreational device"

means nonmotorized bicycles, scooters, in-line skates, roller skates, or wheelchairs being used for recreational purposes.

O.

“Public event area"

means any publicly owned place used for an event open to the general public, regardless of any fee or age requirement, including a farmers’ market, parade, fair, or festival.

P.

"Public facility"

means any publicly owned place, building, parking lot, kiosk, bus stop or transit shelter that is open to the general public.

(Ord. 25-12, 10/21/2025; Ord. 25-05, 7/1/2025; Ord. 24-03 §§ 3, 4, 2024; Ord. 11-1995 § 1, 2011; Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person shall not enter, be or remain in a park unless he complies with all of the regulations set forth in this chapter applicable to such park and with all other applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. A violation of any provision of this chapter or of any other applicable law, ordinance, rule or regulation, in addition to any other penalty provided for in this chapter or by any other law, shall result in the person so violating being a trespasser ab initio, and the director, or person designated by him to act in his stead, or any peace officer may eject such person from the park.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

Whenever a power is granted to, or a duty is imposed upon, the director or other public officer, the power may be exercised or the duty performed by a deputy of the public officer or other person so authorized, pursuant to law, by the director except as otherwise provided by this chapter.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

The council may, by resolution, adopt rules and regulations governing conduct in, and the operation of, parks within the city. All city functions shall have priority use of all park facilities.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

The director and chief of police shall enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

No person in a park shall take part in or abet the playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled objects such as balls, stones, arrows, javelins or model airplanes except in areas set apart for such forms of recreation. The playing of rough or comparatively dangerous games such as tackle football or hockey is prohibited except on the fields and courts or areas specifically designated for such purpose by the director.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 2, 2011; Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A. It is unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle, in-line skates, roller skates, scooter, skateboard or similar coaster device upon any park so long as such sign is posted so as to give reasonable notice of such prohibition.

B. It is unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle, in-line skates, roller skates, scooter, skateboard, or similar coaster device upon any park's walls, steps, stairways, railings, benches, access ramps, driveways or parking lots, except as permitted at the Covina Skate Park as established by regulations in CMC § 9.48.077.

(Ord. 24-03 § 5, 2024; Ord. 11-1995 § 3, 2011)

Any person lawfully riding in, on, or by means of a bicycle, in-line skates, roller skates, scooter, skateboard, or similar coaster device shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 3, 2011)

The following regulations apply to the Covina Skate Park (the "skate park") located at Wingate Park at 735 N. Glendora Avenue, Covina, CA 91724. These regulations shall be posted at the skate park:

A. This is an unsupervised skate park. Use at your own risk.

B. The skate park is intended for skateboards, scooters, in-line skates and roller skates.

C. No bicycles, unicycles, tricycles or other wheeled recreational devices, except those expressly authorized in subsection (B) of this section, are permitted in the skate park, except at times when the city has specifically authorized the use and operation of such other wheeled recreational devices at the skate park.

D. Metal wheels or any other equipment that could damage the skating surface are prohibited.

E. All users must wear helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads at all times.

F. Users under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

G. Smoking, vaping, consuming alcohol, and/or using drugs prohibited.

H. Graffiti, tagging, stickers, or etching prohibited.

I. Food, drinks, and glass containers are prohibited inside the skate park.

J. Changing, altering, modifying or lubricating permanent apparatuses is prohibited.

K. Introducing additional apparatuses to the skate park is prohibited.

L. Use of the skate park is deemed a hazardous recreational activity, which may result in death, paralysis, brain damage, concussion, broken bones, or other serious injury. User must be aware of their ability and limits. All users and spectators accept and assume liability for any and all injuries or death.

M. Use of the skate park when hazardous conditions exist is prohibited.

N. All organized events must have written approval from the director.

O. The skate park will be open daily from dawn to dark, unless otherwise posted by the director. No trespassing is allowed when the skate park is closed.

P. Persons failing to comply with regulations stated above, including but not limited to failure of a person riding a skateboard or other wheeled recreational device in the facility to wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads, are subject to citation pursuant to CMC § 9.48.330.

Q. The director is authorized to post additional rules that they determine are necessary for the safe operation of the skate park.

(Ord. 24-03 § 6, 2024)

It is unlawful for any person to drive, chip or pitch golf balls or to play the game of golf in any public park within the city. This section shall not apply to activities conducted and supervised by the parks and recreation department.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

Bounce houses, astro jumps, jumpers, moonwalks or other similar, temporary play structures designed to be inflated are prohibited in all parks.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 4, 2011)

City-sponsored events and activities conducted on any park are exempt from the prohibition of CMC § 9.48.085.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 4, 2011)

A person shall not place, throw, leave, keep or maintain any object in such a manner or in such a place that any person or animal may be injured or any structure or vehicle may be damaged thereby.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person shall not throw, place or dispose of any garbage, refuse, wastepaper, bottles, or cans in any place in a park other than into a garbage can or other receptacle maintained therein for that purpose.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person shall not discharge or shoot any firearms, air gun, slingshot, or bow and arrow in any park except at ranges designated for such purpose by the director.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person shall not take or transport into any park, or have in his possession therein, or fire or discharge therein, any firecracker, rocket, torpedo, fireworks, or other explosive substance unless he first obtains a permit to do so from the city and complies with all other applicable ordinances.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

Except as otherwise provided in CMC § 9.48.135, a person, other than a duly authorized park employee, approved landscape contractor, or others as authorized by the director in the performance of his duties, shall not do the following:

A. Dig, remove, destroy, injure, mutilate, or cut any tree, plant, shrub, grass, fruit, or flower or any portion thereof growing in any park;

B. Remove any wood, turf, grass, soil, rock, sand or gravel from any park;

C. Cut, break, injure, deface, or disturb any rock, building, cage, pen, monument, sign, fence, bench, structure, apparatus, equipment, or property in any park or any portion thereof; or mark or place thereon or on any portion thereof any mark, writing, or printing; or attach thereto any sign, card, display or other similar device.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 5, 2011; Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

The use of metal detector devices is permitted in any park under the following conditions:

A. A person wishing to use a metal detector device must apply for and obtain a permit from the director prior to using a metal detector in any park.

B. Metal detectors are limited to portable, hand-held devices only. Digging equipment is limited to small hand tools; all motorized digging devices are prohibited.

C. Any digging may be done only to a maximum depth of three inches. Any area disturbed by digging must be restored as nearly as possible to its original condition immediately before the person leaves the area.

D. A person using a metal detector is required to use a trash apron to store all materials found. The collector may retain articles found, subject to subsection (E) of this section. Any material the person does not wish to retain shall be placed in an approved waste receptacle. Any material that may pose a safety hazard to other park users shall be reported to the director.

E. No person shall collect, excavate, remove, injure, disfigure, deface, destroy or appropriate any object of archaeological, or historical interest or value except with written permission of the director.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 6, 2011)

The director is hereby authorized to and shall establish procedures for the issuance, suspension, and revocation of permits for the use of metal detector devices in any park.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 6, 2011)

A person shall not light or maintain any fire in any park other than in a stove area circle, or area designated for such purpose, except upon written authorization from the city. All fires lighted or maintained pursuant to this section shall be in compliance with all applicable rules and regulations of the Covina fire department.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person shall not disturb the peace and quiet of any park by any of the following:

A. Unduly loud or unusual noise; or

B. Tooting, blowing, or sounding any siren, horn, signal, or noise-making device; or

C. Any obscene, violent, or riotous conduct; or

D. The use of any vulgar, profane, or indecent language.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

It is unlawful for any person to use sound amplifiers, speakers or similar devices in any park in such a manner that the sound is amplified so as to be audible at a distance of 150 feet or more, unless a special sound permit is obtained from the director.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 7, 2011)

City-sponsored events and activities conducted on any park are exempt from the prohibition of CMC § 9.48.155; however, the city shall reasonably address noise impacts at city-sponsored events.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 7, 2011)

The director is hereby authorized to and shall establish procedures for the issuance, suspension, and revocation of special sound permits for the use of sound amplifiers, speakers or similar devices in any park. Such procedures shall be established and implemented on a content neutral basis.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 7, 2011)

A person shall not bring into any park any cattle, horse, mule, goat, sheep, swine, cat, or other animal of any kind except as hereafter specifically provided or as otherwise permitted by the director.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 10, 2011; Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

Dogs are allowed in all city parks subject to the following rules and regulations:

A. All dogs must be securely restrained by a leash not exceeding six feet in length, of sufficient strength to prevent the escape of such dog at all times.

B. All dogs must be at least four months of age, vaccinated for rabies, currently licensed by the city's animal control authority and wear a collar with current tags while in the park.

C. All dogs must be in the care, custody and control of a person at least 18 years old. Any person under 18 years of age must be accompanied by and be under the direct supervision of an adult to enter the park with the on-leash dog. All dogs must be under the voice control of their caretakers at all times. Dogs shall not be left unattended at any time.

D. No adult may have more than two dogs in the park at any time.

E. Dogs are not permitted in or around child play areas, at organized sporting events or at city-sponsored events and activities.

F. Any person having care, custody or control of a dog in the park shall quiet or remove the dog if the dog barks excessively.

G. Any person having care, custody, or control of a dog in the park shall promptly remove and properly dispose of any waste deposited by such dog. The dog owner or caretaker shall carry a suitable container, bag, or instrument for the removal and disposal of dog feces.

H. Dogs shall not interfere with, bother or harass park users, groups, or other animals or wildlife.

I. No dog that is sick, in heat, injured or which displays aggressive behavior toward other dogs or humans is permitted in any park.

J. If signs of aggression occur, the dog must be removed from the park immediately. It shall be the dog owner or caretaker's responsibility for any of the dog's actions, even if the dog was provoked by another animal or another person. The dog owner or caretaker shall immediately remove the dog from the park if the dog bites or attempts to bite or attack any person or dog.

K. Any dog which has been repeatedly aggressive or attempted to attack or bite another dog or a person may be barred from any park by notice and order of the city, in its discretion.

L. The presence of a dog in the park shall constitute implied consent of the dog's owner or any person having the care, custody or control of the dog, to strictly follow the rules of this section and shall constitute a waiver of liability to the city, its elected officials, officers, employees, an assumption of all risks, an agreement and undertaking to protect, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the city, its elected officials, officers, and employees, for any injury or damage to persons or property during any time that the dog is in the park.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 11, 2011)

A person shall not change clothes or disrobe in any park except in that portion of a comfort station or other facility, if any, which is designated for such purpose.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

No person shall appear, bathe, sunbathe, walk, change clothes, disrobe, or be in any park in such a manner that the genitals, vulva, pubis, pubic symphysis, pubic hair, buttocks, natal cleft, perineum, anus, anal region, or pubic hair region of any person, or any portion of the breast at or below the upper edge of the areola thereof of any female person, is exposed to public view, except in those portions of a comfort station, if any, expressly set aside for such purpose.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person shall not bring to or operate in any park any motor vehicle except at such times and at such places as permitted by the director in written regulations or permits issued by him from time to time, and any such operation of a motor vehicle shall be in accordance with the conditions contained in such regulation or permit. A person shall not park any motor vehicle in the park, except in areas designated by the director for parking.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person shall not solicit in any manner or for any purpose or sell or offer for sale any goods, wares, or merchandise therein except as follows:

A. Pursuant to a concession or other agreement authorized by the city council; and

B. When found by the director to be consistent with the policies of the parks and recreation department or to promote the program of the department, under conditions prescribed by him.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person shall not enter, remain in, or be in any park while he is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or narcotic or dangerous drug.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person shall not enter, be, or remain in any park while in possession of, transporting, purchasing, selling, giving away, or consuming any alcoholic beverage. A person shall not enter, be, or remain in any park while in possession of, transporting, purchasing, selling, giving away, or consuming any narcotics or dangerous drugs.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 12, 2011; Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

Smoking is hereby prohibited in all public parks, at city-sponsored special events, in city-owned public parking lots and within 20 feet of public facilities within the city limits of the city of Covina.

(Ord. 25-05, 7/1/2025; Ord. 11-1995 § 13, 2011)

No person shall dispose of lighted or unlighted cigars or cigarettes, or cigar or cigarette butts, or any other tobacco-related waste in or upon any public park.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 13, 2011)

A. No person or persons shall stand, sit, linger, idle, or loiter on or at the entrance or exit of any street, alley, sidewalk, park or other public area, or in or about the entrance or exit of any business establishment or public building, either on foot or in an automobile or other vehicle, in such a manner as to obstruct or hinder the free passage of persons along such public way, or obstruct or hinder persons entering and exiting from any business establishment or public building, or in such a manner as to create a health or safety hazard for the community or for the patrons of such public area.

B. No person in violation of this prohibition shall refuse or fail to disperse or move on when directed to do so by a police officer or city employee.

(Ord. 25-12, 10/21/2025; Ord. 19-08 § 1, 2019)

Subject to CMC § 9.54.070, it is unlawful to leave unattended or store any personal property, including camp facilities or camp paraphernalia or bulky items in any public area.

(Ord. 25-12, 10/21/2025; Ord. 19-08 § 2, 2019)

A person shall not camp or sleep overnight in any park, except when authorized by the director. Unlawful camping in public areas, including parks, is prohibited pursuant to CMC § 9.54.060.

(Ord. 25-12, 10/21/2025; Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person shall not bring a house trailer or other recreation travel-trailer-type vehicle which can be used for overnight sleeping purposes into any park, except when authorized by the director.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

No person in a park shall:

A. Fail to obey the directions of the director or other park attendants to cease and desist from any activities prohibited by this chapter, or by rules and regulations adopted pursuant to CMC § 9.48.050;

B. Fail to leave any park premises when directed to do so by the director or other park or recreation personnel because of such violation; or

C. Return to the park on the same calendar day after having complied with a direction to leave the park.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

It is unlawful for any person to remain, stay or loiter in any park, other than Covina, Hollenbeck and Kelby Parks, or building therein, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. the following day, and, as to Covina, Hollenbeck and Kelby Parks between the hours of 10:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the following day, without special permission from the director of parks and recreation, or his authorized representative.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person exercising any of the privileges authorized by this chapter does so at his own risk without liability on the part of the city, its officers, employees, and agents for death or injury to persons or damage to property resulting therefrom.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person shall not permit any cattle, horses, goats, sheep, swine or any domestic animal to graze in the park, except on property designated for such purposes.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person shall not molest, hunt, disturb, injure, shoot at, take, net, poison, wound, harm, kill, or remove from the park or riding and hiking trail any kind of animal except as follows:

A. When necessary to avoid bodily harm;

B. When fishing is permitted by the director pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person shall not swim in any park waters except at places and times designated by the director.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

No parent or guardian or any person having the custody of any child under the age of eight years shall cause, permit or allow such child to enter or visit any park having a body of water within the boundaries of such park, unless such child is accompanied by a person of not less than 16 years of age.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

A person shall not operate model airplanes, boats, or crafts except in areas designated for such use and subject to all rules and regulations contained in such written permission.

(Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)

In order to provide reasonable notice to the public, the director shall post signs in one or more conspicuous and visible area(s) of any park, specifying the requirements of CMC § 9.48.070, 9.48.075, 9.48.076, 9.48.085, 9.48.130, 9.48.135, 9.48.155, 9.48.220, 9.48.225, 9.48.226 and other prohibited activities described in this chapter. The signs required pursuant to this section shall cite the respective code section being invoked and shall state that any person failing to comply with such code section shall be subject to citation or other applicable enforcement authority available to the city. The manner of such posting, including the wording, size, color, design and place of posting, shall be determined by the director.

(Ord. 11-1995 § 14, 2011)

A. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor or infraction as provided in Chapter 1.16 CMC. The violation may be charged as an infraction. Upon conviction of an infraction, said person shall be punished by:

1. A fine of not more than $100.00 for a first violation;

2. A fine of not more than $200.00 for a second violation of the same provision of this chapter within one year;

3. A fine of not more than $500.00 for each additional violation of the same provision of this chapter within one year.

B. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of violating the Covina Municipal Code and may be issued an administrative citation and be subject to the applicable punishments pursuant to Chapter 1.26 CMC in addition to any other available penalty provisions or enforcement mechanisms.

C. Other Remedies. Nothing in this chapter shall limit or preclude the enforcement of any other applicable laws or remedies available for violations of this chapter, including, but not limited to, the enforcement provisions of CMC Title 1 or Chapter 8.40 CMC.

D. A repetition or continuation of any violation of any provision of this chapter, or of any order or direction of the director on successive days, constitutes a separate offense for each day during any portion of which such violation is committed, continued or permitted.

(Ord. 19-08 § 3, 2019; Ord. 92-1745 § 1, 1992)