El Dorado County Municipal Code Art. I In General

This chapter shall be known as the El Dorado County Parks Ordinance and may be referred to as such. This chapter applies to, and is adopted to ensure the appropriate management, administration, use and protection of, all parks, trails and open space administered, maintained, or otherwise managed by the County.

(Code 1997, § 9.46.010; Ord. No. 4586, 8-14-2001)

As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings defined in this section, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires:

Commission means the County Parks and Recreation Commission.

Department means the County Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division.

Manager means the Parks Manager of the Chief Administrative Office.

Park or parks means any park, playground, bicycle or multi-use trail, recreation center or any other lands or facilities owned, operated, maintained, administered or managed by the County and devoted to active or passive recreation. The term "park" includes all facilities or improvements within a park, and all water or waterways within or adjacent to a park.

Permission means written permission granted by an authorized representative of the Department.

Person means any natural person, firm, corporation, unincorporated association, club, municipality, district or public agency, and all associations or combinations of persons whenever acting for themselves or any agent, servant or employee.

(Code 1997, § 9.46.020; Ord. No. 4586, 8-14-2001)

From time to time, and upon recommendation of the Commission the Board may promulgate rules and regulations pertaining to parks and their facilities and may adopt such policies as it sees fit to ensure appropriate management and administration of parks and of the Department. No person entering or using parks shall violate or fail to comply with applicable Federal, State, County and local laws and regulations or posted signs.

(Code 1997, § 9.46.030; Ord. No. 4586, 8-14-2001)

Any Department employee or designee or any peace officer shall have the authority to enforce this chapter. Further, any Department employee or designee or any peace officer shall have the authority to revoke permission to use any park, or to eject from any park, any person acting in violation of this chapter or any rules, regulations or policies adopted hereunder.

(Code 1997, § 9.46.040; Ord. No. 4586, 8-14-2001)

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, parks are intended for day use only. The hours of operation are from 6:00 a.m. until one hour after sunset each day. No person shall enter a park by foot or in a vehicle later than one hour after sunset or earlier than 6:00 a.m. each day. The hours of operation of any park may be extended by the Board. Such extended hours of operation shall be prominently posted at that park. Parks or recreation facilities operated by a concessionaire pursuant to an approved concession agreement, or by any other agency pursuant to an agreement with the County, shall be exempted from this section.

(Code 1997, § 9.46.050; Ord. No. 4586, 8-14-2001)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this chapter, the hours of operation for parks or their facilities that are equipped with lights for night sports activities are from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. each day. No person shall enter such a park or its facilities by foot or in a vehicle later than 10:00 p.m. or earlier than 6:00 a.m. each day. Such extended hours of operation shall be prominently posted on site.

(Code 1997, § 9.46.060; Ord. No. 4586, 8-14-2001)

Although it is the County's intent to make parks available to the public as much as is reasonably possible, parks may be closed to the public or have public uses restricted during an emergency or for health, safety, maintenance or management purposes.

(Code 1997, § 9.46.070; Ord. No. 4586, 8-14-2001)

The Department may issue permits and licenses and may charge fees for use of parks or portions thereof. Charges for permits, licenses and fees shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Supervisors from time to time, and may include admission fees, parking fees, park use fees, facility use fees (including fees for use of community centers) and charges for expenses incurred by the Department, including, but not limited to, labor, equipment costs, material costs and overhead. Permits are not transferable and may be revoked for failure to comply with any provision of the permit or applicable portions of this chapter or any rules, regulations or policies adopted hereunder. When issued, permits must be carried as directed at all times when using parks.

(Code 1997, § 9.46.080; Ord. No. 4586, 8-14-2001)

Each calendar day upon which a violation of this chapter occurs shall constitute a separate offense.

(Code 1997, § 9.46.090; Ord. No. 4586, 8-14-2001)

The Department may impound any animal, property or equipment found to be in violation of this chapter. Impounded items shall be disposed of in accordance with law.

(Code 1997, § 9.46.100; Ord. No. 4586, 8-14-2001)

This chapter and any rules, regulations, or policies adopted hereunder shall not apply to employees and agents of the Department, the County, or other government agencies with regulatory authority engaged in and acting within the scope of their authorized duties and responsibilities. The Board of Supervisors, at its sole discretion, may grant written exemption to all or any portion of these regulations by temporary or special permit, license, contract, lease, etc.; however, exemptions shall be limited to uses which do not violate any Federal or State law.

(Code 1997, § 9.46.110; Ord. No. 4586, 8-14-2001)