Culver City Municipal Code Ch. 13.03 Offenses Against Public Peace and Safety

Section

General Provisions

Minors

Firearms - Safe Storage, Shooting Requirements and Suicide Prevention

Prohibition Against Abusive Solicitation

Loitering by Criminal Street Gangs

Cross-reference:

Charitable solicitations, see Ch. 11.05

Games, amusements and entertainments, see Ch. 11.06

GENERAL PROVISIONS

It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to play ball or any game of sport with a ball or football, or throw, cast, shoot or discharge any stone, pellet, bullet, arrow, or any other missile, in, over, across, along or upon any street, sidewalk, lane or alley within the city.

('65 Code, § 23-5) (Ord. No. CS-275, Art. II § 3)

While a passenger on a public bus, it shall be unlawful for any person to carry on unnecessary conversation with the operator of the bus, annoy other passengers by loud or boisterous conversation or other disorderly conduct, expectorate, smoke, or drink intoxicating liquor, or refuse to leave the bus when ordered to do so for non-payment of fare or any other violation.

('65 Code, § 23-6) (Ord. No. CS-275 Art. IV)

A. Prohibition. It shall be unlawful for any person to inhale, breathe, ingest, or in any manner use any product or substance or combination thereof containing organic solvents, which include assemble acetate, xylene, tri-calor ethylene, acetone or other closely related or similar compounds used as solvents for products referred to as “glue,” “adhesive cement,” “mucilage,” or “dope,” with the intent of becoming intoxicated, elated, dazed, paralyzed, irrational or in any manner changing, distorting, disturbing the eyesight, thinking process, balanced or coordination or affecting the central nervous system of such person.

('65 Code, § 23-29)

B. Exception. The provisions of Subsection A. herein shall not pertain to any person who inhales, breathes or drinks or uses such product or substance pursuant to the direction or prescription of any doctor, physician, surgeon, dentist, or pediatrist authorized to so direct or prescribe.

('65 Code, § 23-30) (Ord. No. CS-459)

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, required to be licensed or otherwise regulated under the provisions of Chapter 11.01 of this Code, to conduct or in any manner participate in dancing or musical type entertainment of any kind between the hours of 2:00 a.m. of one day and 6:00 a.m. of the same day, except by a special permit for one day only, issued by the City.

('65 Code, § 23-40) (Ord. No. CS-548; Ord. No. 2025-001 § 2 (part))

A. No person shall consume any beer, wine or alcoholic beverage while on any street, sidewalk, alley, highway, public playground or public park. Possession of any bottle, can or other receptacle, containing any beer, wine or alcoholic beverage which has been opened or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed, while on any street, sidewalk, alley, highway, public playground or public park creates a rebuttal presumption that the person possessing the same is consuming its contents. For purposes of this Section, the interior of the Veterans' Memorial Building or the Ivy Substation shall not be considered to be within a public playground or park, and the consumption of alcohol within a duly licensed outdoor dining area shall not be considered to be on a sidewalk. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Subsection, the City Council shall have the authority to grant by resolution an alcohol use permit for the service and consumption of beer and/or wine (as “beer” and “wine” are defined in Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 23006 and 23007, as amended) in a controlled space at a City-produced or City-sponsored event, located in Veterans’ Memorial Park, or on any street, sidewalk, alley, or highway that has been closed for a City produced or City-sponsored event, upon finding that the issuance of a permit will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or general welfare.

B. This Section shall not be deemed to make punishable any act or acts which are prohibited by any law of the State.

C. Any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of an infraction which shall be punishable pursuant to § 1.01.045 of this Code; except when a person has been convicted of three (3) or more violations of this Section within the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the violation, and then it shall be punishable as a misdemeanor pursuant to § 1.01.040 of this Code. For the purposes of this division, each prior violation which is either admitted by the defendant or alleged in an accusatory pleading, or where defendant forfeited bail, shall be deemed a conviction. For this purpose, a bail forfeiture shall be deemed to be a conviction of the offense charged.

D. This Section shall not apply to any person on public property designated as an Entertainment Zone authorized pursuant to Chapter 11.35 of this Code during the hours of Entertainment Zone activation, when the beverage is purchased from a licensed Entertainment Zone premises or vendor and is in an authorized Entertainment Zone container in compliance with the regulations imposed by Chapter 11.35 of this Code.

('65 Code, § 23-43) (Ord. No. CS-635 § 1; Ord. No. 87-019 § 1; Ord. No. 94-032 § 2; Ord. No. 2005-004 § 1; Ord. No. 2019-008 § 1; Ord. No. 2026-006 § 2)

MINORS

It shall be unlawful for any minor under the age of eighteen (18) years, to loiter, idle, wander, stroll, or aimlessly drive or ride about in or upon any public street, avenue, highway, road, curb area, alley, park, playground, or other public grounds, public place or public building, place of amusement or eating place, vacant lot or unsupervised place between the hours of 10:00 p.m. on any day and sunrise of the immediately following day; provided that, the provisions of this Section shall not apply when:

A. The minor is accompanied by his or her parent or parents, legal guardian or other adult person having the legal care or custody of the minor, or by his or her spouse eighteen (18) years of age or older;

B. The minor is upon an errand directed by his or her parent or parents or legal guardian or other adult person having the legal care or custody of the minor, or by his or her spouse eighteen (18) years of age or older;

C. The minor is returning directly home from a public meeting, or a place of public entertainment, such as a movie, play, sporting event, dance or school activity; or

D. The presence of such minor in the place or places is connected with or required with respect to a business, trade, profession or occupation in which the minor is lawfully engaged.

('65 Code, § 20-1) (Ord. No. 89-002 § 1)

A. It is unlawful for any minor under the age of 18 years, who is subject to compulsory education or to compulsory continuation education, to be "absent from school and found in a public place," as defined in Subsection B. below, except as provided in Subsection C. below.

B. For purposes of this chapter, a minor is "absent from school and found in a public place" if the minor is found idling, wandering, strolling, playing, or aimlessly driving or riding about in or upon any public street, avenue, highway, road, curb area, alley, park, playground, or other public ground, public place or public building, place of amusement or eating place, vacant lot or unsupervised place, or any place open to the public during the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. of the same day on days when the minor's school is in session.

C. The provisions of this section shall not apply when:

1. The minor has in his or her possession a written excuse for absence from school signed by his or her parent, legal guardian, or other adult person having legal care or custody;

2. The minor is accompanied by his or her parent, legal guardian, or other adult person having legal care or custody;

3. The minor is upon an emergency errand directed by his or her parent, legal guardian, or other adult person having legal care or custody;

4. The minor is going to or returning directly from a medical appointment;

5. The minor has permission to leave campus and has in his or her possession a valid, school-issued, off-campus permit;

6. The minor is going to or returning directly from a public meeting, or place of public entertainment, such as a movie, play, sporting event, dance of school activity; provided, that meeting, event or activity is a school-approved activity for the minor or is otherwise supervised by personnel of the minor's school;

7. The presence of the minor in that place is connected with or required by a school-approved or school-related business, trade, profession or occupation in which the minor is lawfully engaged; or

8. The minor is participating in an authorized home study program.

(Ord. No. 2001-19 § 1 (part))

Two or more violations of § 13.03.101 within any 12-month period shall constitute an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed $250 for each violation.

(Ord. No. 2001-19 § 1 (part))

It shall be unlawful for any parent or guardian having the care and custody of any minor under the age of 18 years to allow or permit such that minor to violate § 13.03.100 or § 13.03.101.

('65 Code, § 20-2) (Ord. No. CS-225 § 4; Ord. No. 2001-19 § 2)

It shall be unlawful for any proprietor of a place of amusement to permit any minor under the age of 18 years, unaccompanied by an adult person authorized by such minor's parent or guardian, to loiter or remain in such place of amusement between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. of the following day.

('65 Code, § 20-3) (Ord. No. CS-225 § 3)

It shall be unlawful for any person to permit or allow a minor under the age of 14 to attend any theater between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. of the following day, unless accompanied by an authorized adult person.

('65 Code, § 20-4) (Ord. No. CS-225 § 9)

It shall be unlawful for any person to falsely represent that he is 21 years or over in order to order and obtain any alcoholic beverage.

('65 Code, § 20-5) (Ord. No. CS-225 § 6)

It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of 16 years to visit any billiard or pool room maintained for public patronage where alcoholic beverages are served.

('65 Code, § 20-6) (Ord. No. CS-536)

It shall be unlawful for any proprietor or manager of any pool or billiard room maintained for public patronage to permit any person under the age of 18 years to enter or visit such premises where alcoholic beverages are served.

('65 Code, § 20-7) (Ord. No. CS-536)

It shall be unlawful for any person to acquire from any person under the age of 21 years his necessary school books without first obtaining the written authorization of such minor's parent or guardian or the principal of the school attended by such minor.

('65 Code, § 20-8) (Ord. No. CS-225 § 8)

It shall be unlawful for any person to sponsor or conduct a dance or any other activity of entertainment for persons under the age of 18 years without first filing application for a permit with the City Manager of the City in the form and manner required by him.

('65 Code, § 20-9) (Ord. No. CS-225 § 11; Ord. No. 2006-009 § 22 (part))

The following regulations shall apply to entertainment conducted for the benefit of persons under the age of 18 years:

A. Lighting. Places where dances are held shall be adequately lighted at all times when open for dancing, to a degree not less than one foot-candle in all parts of the building and premises accessible to minor participants.

B. Alcoholic beverages prohibited at teen-age dances. It shall be unlawful to sell or make available or consume alcoholic beverages at any place where a dance for participants below the age of 18 years is conducted.

C. Time limit. No dancing involving participants below the age of 18 shall be permitted after the hour of 12:00 midnight, unless the permit obtained from the City Manager specifically authorizes a later hour.

D. Participation of adults at teen-age dances prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person 20 years of age or older to attend any teen-age dance as a participant, unless such person is an authorized chaperon or sponsor.

E. Loitering at teen-age dances prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to loiter around the premises at which a teen-age dance is being conducted.

('65 Code, § 20-10) (Ord. No. 2006-009 §22 (part)

It shall be unlawful for any person carrying on the business of the instruction of dancing to employ or permit a female under the age of 21 years to give instructions in dancing to persons of the opposite sex.

('65 Code, § 20-11) (Ord. No. CS-225)

FIREARMS - SAFE STORAGE, SHOOTING REQUIREMENTS AND SUICIDE PREVENTION

As used in this Subchapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

FIREARM. A device, designed to be used as a weapon, from which a projectile is expelled through a barrel, by the force of an explosion or other form of combustion.

LOCKED CONTAINER. As defined in Cal. Penal Code § 16850, as amended from time to time.

RESIDENCE. Any structure intended or used for human habitation, including but not limited to houses, condominiums, rooms within a residence, in-law units, motels, hotels, single room occupancy units, time shares, and recreational and other vehicles where human habitation occurs.

TRIGGER LOCK. Listed on the California Department of Justice’s roster of approved firearms safety devices, and that is identified as appropriate for that firearm by reference to either the manufacturer and model of the firearm or to the physical characteristics of the firearm that match those listed on the roster for use with the device under Cal. Penal Code § 23635, as may be amended from time to time.

( Ord. No. 2019-012 § 2 (part))

No person shall keep a firearm within his or her residence unless the firearm is stored in a locked container or disabled with a trigger lock.

(Ord. No. 2019-012 § 2 (part))

This Subchapter shall not apply in the following circumstances:

A. The firearm is carried on the person or within close enough proximity thereto that the individual can readily retrieve and use the firearm as if carried on the person.

B. The firearm is under the control of a person who is a peace officer under Cal. Penal Code §§ 830 et seq.

(Ord. No. 2019-012 § 2 (part))

In order to encourage reports to law enforcement agencies of lost or stolen firearms, a person who files a report with the Culver City Police Department pursuant to Cal. Penal Code § 25250 notifying the Police Department that a firearm has been lost or stolen shall not be subject to prosecution for violation of this Subchapter.

(Ord. No. 2019-012 § 2 (part))

A. Except as provided herein, no person shall shoot or discharge a firearm within the City without first having obtained express written consent from the Chief of Police or his/her designee.

B. Subsection A. above shall not apply when such shooting or discharging is made:

• 1. In lawful defense of persons;
• 2. In making or attempting to make lawful arrests;
• 3. By a law enforcement officer in the performance of his/her duties;

4. While done in conjunction with filming activity, as defined in § 11.14.010 of this Code, on property owned and controlled by any company or corporation holding a current business license or tax certificate from the City; or, during location filming activity in accordance with Chapter 11.14 pursuant to a current City film permit;

5. While engaging in target practice or a properly licensed commercial shooting gallery;

6. While engaging in target practice on the range of a properly organized target shooting club under the supervision of the proper club official; and

7. While engaging in target practice on a properly constructed range, on property owned or leased by the shooter provided that such range has been approved by the City Council, arranged on which target shooting may be undertaken without damage to persons on adjacent property or on the public highways.

(Ord. No. 2019-012 § 2 (part))

All firearm retailers located in the City shall display information at point-of-sale giving notice of local firearm laws and providing Los Angeles County-approved resources for suicide prevention, including suicide warning signage or posters.

(Ord. No. 2019-012 § 2 (part))

PROHIBITION AGAINST ABUSIVE SOLICITATION

It is the purpose of this Chapter to impose reasonable place and manner limitations on SOLICITATION , as defined herein, in order to protect the safety of the general public against abusive solicitation while respecting the constitutional right of free speech.

(Ord. 97-003 § 1(part)

For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

ABUSIVE SOLICITATION. To perform one or more of the following acts, either while engaging in solicitation or immediately thereafter:

(1) Coming closer than three feet to the person solicited unless and until the person solicited indicates he or she wishes to make a donation;

(2) Blocking or impeding the passage of the person solicited;

(3) Following the person solicited by proceeding behind, ahead or alongside of him or her after the person solicited declines to make a donation;

(4) Threatening, by word or gesture, the person solicited with physical harm;

(5) Abusing the person solicited with words that are offensive and inherently likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction;

(6) Touching the solicited person without the solicited person's consent; or

(7) Engaging in solicitation activity in any of the prohibited places specified in § 13.03.310.

DONATION. A gift of money or other item of value, including the purchase of an item for an amount far exceeding its value under circumstances where a reasonable person would understand that the purchase is in substance a gift.

SOLICITATION. Any request made in person seeking an immediate donation of money or other item of value. A person shall not be deemed to be in the act of solicitation when he or she passively displays a sign or gives any other indication that he or she is seeking donations without addressing his or her solicitation to any specific person, other than in response to an inquiry by that person.

(Ord. 97-003 § 1(part)

Solicitation shall be prohibited when the person solicited is in any of the following locations:

(A) Bus stops;

(B) Public transportation vehicles or facilities;

(C) Vehicles on public streets or alleyways;

(D) Public parking lots or structures;

(E) Outdoor dining areas of restaurants or other dining establishments serving food for immediate consumption;

(F) Within fifty (50) feet of an automated teller machine;

(G) A queue of five or more persons waiting to gain admission to a place or vehicle, or waiting to purchase an item or admission ticket; or

(H) Within fifty (50) feet of a gasoline or fuel pump located in a gasoline service station.

(Ord. 97-003 § 1(part)

Any person who engages in ABUSIVE SOLICITATION , as defined herein, or solicitation where prohibited, as stated herein, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined an amount not to exceed $500, or shall be imprisoned for a period not to exceed six months, or both.

(Ord. 97-003 § 1(part)

LOITERING BY CRIMINAL STREET GANGS

A. It is unlawful for any person who is a member of a "criminal street gang," as that term is defined in Cal. Penal Code § 186.22(f), or who is acting in concert with a member of a "criminal street gang," to loiter in a public place under any of the following circumstances:

1. With the intent to publicize a criminal street gang's dominance over certain territory in order to intimidate non-members of the gang from entering, remaining in, or using the public place or adjacent area;

2. With the intent to conceal ongoing commerce in illegal drugs or other unlawful activity.

B. For purposes of this Subchapter, a PUBLIC PLACE means the public way and any other location open to the public, whether publicly or privately owned, including, but not limited to, any street, sidewalk, avenue, highway, road, curb area, alley, park, playground or other public ground or public building, any common area of a school, hospital, apartment house, office building, transport facility, shop, or privately owned place of business, to which the public is invited, including any place of amusement, entertainment or eating. Any PUBLIC PLACE also includes the front yard area, driveway and walkway of any private residence, business or apartment house.

(Ord. No. 2004-003 § 1 (part))

Nothing in this Subchapter shall be construed in any way to limit the power or right of a law enforcement officer to make any investigation, detention or arrest as such law enforcement officer would be permitted to make in the absence of this Subchapter.

(Ord. No. 2004-003 § 1 (part))

Any parent(s), legal guardian(s), or other adult person(s) authorized by said parent(s) or guardian(s) to have the care and custody of a minor, who knowingly permits or, by insufficient control, allows a minor to violate the provisions of this Subchapter is guilty of a criminal act.

(Ord. No. 2004-003 § 1 (part))

Any violation of this Subchapter shall constitute a misdemeanor, which is punishable as provided in § 1.01.040 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 2004-003 § 1 (part))