Grand Terrace Municipal Code Ch. 12.32 Conduct on Public Property—parks

For the purpose of this Chapter, "public property" means any publicly owned property within the City, except the traveled portion of any public streets, and shall include any park, sidewalk, curb or any part of any public right-of-way devoted to planting.

(Ord. 62 § 1, 1982)

It is a misdemeanor for any person to perform or participate in any of the acts set out in this Section.

(Ord. No. 369, § 35, 7-22-2025; Ord. 62 § 2(part), 1982)

It is unlawful, as provided in Section 12.32.020, for any person to wilfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with, displace or remove any railing, bench or any facilities or property and equipment of any public utility, or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices or placards, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, stakes, posts or other boundary markers, wall or rock border, or other structures or equipment, facilities or public property or appurtenances whatever, either real or personal.

(Ord. 62 § 2(A)(1), 1982)

It is unlawful, as provided in Section 12.32.020, for any person to construct or erect any building or structure of whatever kind, whether permanent or temporary in character, any tent, fly or windbreaker, or run or string any rope, cord or wire into, upon or across any public property, except on special permit issued pursuant to a City ordinance, resolution or regulation.

(Ord. 62 § 2(A)(2), 1982)

It is unlawful, as provided in Section 12.32.020, for any person to urinate or defecate, except in a public restroom, or to fail to cooperate in maintaining restrooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition.

(Ord. 62 § 2(A)(3), 1982)

It is unlawful, as provided in Section 12.32.020, for any person to, without a City permit, damage, cut, prune, carve, burn, transplant or remove any tree or plant or injure the bark or pick the flowers or seeds of any tree or plant, nor shall any person attach any pole, wire or other contrivance to any tree or plant. No person shall dig in or otherwise disturb or in any way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any park area.

(Ord. No. 306, § 4, 9-12-2017; Ord. 62 § 2(A)(4), 1982)

It is unlawful, as provided in Section 12.32.020, for any person to climb any tree or walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, fountains, railings, fences, planted areas or upon any other property not designed or customarily used for such purposes, or to sit on any sidewalks or steps or to lie or sit on any lawns which are posted with a sign prohibiting this use on the lawn area.

(Ord. 62 § 2(A)(5), 1982)

A. It is unlawful, as provided in Section 12.32.020, for any person to dump or deposit upon any highway, freeway, alley, street, off-street parking lot, whether it is publicly or privately owned, park, playground or any public place in the City, any glass, bottle, nails, tacks, hoops, wire, cans or any other substance likely to injure any person.

B. It is unlawful, as provided in Section 12.32.020, for any person to place, deposit or dump any garbage, swill, cans, bottles, papers, ashes, refuse, the carcass of any dead animal, trash or rubbish, or any noisome, nauseous or offensive matter in or upon any highway, freeway, alley, street, off-street parking lot, park, playground or any public place in the City.

(Ord. 62 § 2(B), 1982)

It is unlawful for a person to sleep on any public sidewalks, curbs, planters or walls, or to engage in any loud, boisterous, threatening, abusive, insulting or indecent language, or to block pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk or other public walks, ways or footpaths devoted to pedestrian use, or to engage in any disorderly conduct or behavior.

(Ord. 62 § 3, 1982)

It is unlawful to expose or offer for sale any article or thing, or to station or place any stand, cart or vehicle for the transportation, sale or display of any such article or thing without first obtaining a license therefor.

(Ord. 62 § 4, 1982)

While in a public park, it is unlawful for any person to maintain or operate any amplified sound equipment, subject to the following exceptions:

A. Upon the issuance of a permit by the Community Services Director;

B. Upon the authority of the City Council by the adoption of either a resolution or by agreement.

(Ord. 62 § 5, 1982)

While in a public park, it is unlawful to announce, advertise or call the public attention in any way to any article or service for sale or hire.

(Ord. 62 § 6, 1982)

It is unlawful for any person within the City to utter or use within the hearing of one or more persons any profane or vulgar language, words, epithets or expressions having a tendency to incite or create a breach of the peace.

(Ord. 62 § 7, 1982)

A. As a general rule, parks shall be open to the public every day of the year between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. However, the Community Services Director may, in his reasonable discretion, extend or limit such hours for any park or portion of any park.

B. It is a misdemeanor to enter, be or remain in any park during the time when such park is closed unless he has obtained a permit therefor from the Community Services Director. Park closing hours shall be posted at park entrances.

(Ord. No. 369, § 35, 7-22-2025; Ord. No. 366, § 13, 5-13-2025; Ord. 62 § 8, 1982)

The City Manager, the Chief of Police or the Community Services Director, or their designated representative, may cause the closure of any playlot, playground or park during normal public-use hours if the City Manager, the Chief of Police or the Community Services Director determines that such closure will protect the public health, safety and/or welfare, or as necessary to protect parks facilities and other related public lands from misuse or destruction. In the event of closure by the City Manager, the Chief of Police or the Community Services Director, it is unlawful for any person to participate in any activities on any portion of any playlot, playground or park.

(Ord. 62 § 9, 1982)

It is a misdemeanor to operate a vehicle in a park except upon designated paved or unimproved park roads or driveways, or in and upon designated areas set aside for use by such vehicles, unless directed to do so by a Law Enforcement Officer, the City Manager, the Community Services Director, or by official signs or markings.

(Ord. No. 369, § 35, 7-22-2025; Ord. 62 § 10, 1982)

It is a misdemeanor to engage in, participate in, aid, form or organize any assembly or group of people or make any speeches or conduct any musical programs or festivals in any park, unless a permit has been obtained from the City and unless such permit is carried by the person heading or leading such activity; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section shall not apply to students' work when constituting a part of their educational activities and under the immediate direction and supervision of the proper school authority, nor to any governmental agency within the scope of its functions. An application for such a permit shall be filed with the Director of Community Services not less than 72 hours prior to such use.

(Ord. No. 369, § 35, 7-22-2025; Ord. 62 § 11, 1982)

While in a public park, smoking as defined in Chapter 8.104 is an infraction.

(Ord. No. 369, § 35, 7-22-2025; Ord. No. 275, § 4, 9-23-2014)