Montebello Municipal Code Ch. 12.27 Public Dog Park Facilities

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a comprehensive set of rules and regulations for the use of public dog park facilities in the city of Montebello. This chapter shall apply to the city's owned and operated public dog park facilities.

(Ord. No. 2482, § 3, 5-14-2025)

For the purpose of carrying out the intent of this chapter, words, phrases, and terms used herein shall have their ordinary meaning, unless otherwise indicated as follows:

"Department" means the city of Montebello (city) Department of Recreation and Community Services.

"Director" means the director of recreation and community services, or his/her designee.

"Public dog park" means any city property that has been designated by the city as an area where the public can recreate with their dogs, off leash, and within an enclosed space.

(Ord. No. 2482, § 3, 5-14-2025)

Public dog park facilities shall be open daily from sunrise until sunset, or as otherwise posted by the director. It shall be unlawful for any person to use or remain in such facilities without written consent of the director. Public dog park facilities shall be closed in the event of rain, wet conditions or other type of inclement weather which renders the facility to be unsafe in the sole opinion and discretion of the director.

(Ord. No. 2482, § 3, 5-14-2025)

A. Dogs must be accompanied by at least one person eighteen years old or older. Children under the age of six are not permitted in the off-leash area. Children six to seventeen must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

B. Dogs must be older than four months, vaccinated, licensed, and wearing current tags. All dogs must be licensed by their respective municipality and display said license/tag while in a public dog park. Non-city residents must have the current rabies vaccine tag as well as a dog license tag issued by the governing body where they reside.

C. No more than three dogs are allowed per adult.

D. Aggressive dogs are not allowed in public dog parks. Dogs exhibiting rough, aggressive, or dangerous behavior are to be immediately removed.

E. Dog trainers may not use public dog parks to conduct business. Permits are required for all commercial or organized activity.

F. Dogs must be spayed or neutered.

G. No animals other than dogs are permitted in the public dog park.

H. Each dog owner/handler must be physically capable of controlling their dog(s). All owners/handlers are required to remain inside the public dog park area and be in view of their dog(s) at all times.

I. Any dog declared vicious or potentially dangerous, pursuant to Montebello Municipal Code Section 6.28.050, or any dog that has been declared "vicious," "dangerous," "potentially dangerous," or a "public nuisance," an attack dog, guard dog, or sentry dog as defined in California Health and Safety Code Section 121875 et seq., is not permitted to enter or remain in the public dog park.

(Ord. No. 2482, § 3, 5-14-2025)

In accordance with California Government Code 831.7.5, a public entity that owns or operates a dog park shall not be held liable for injury or death of a person or pet resulting solely from the actions of a dog in the public dog park. Any person or canine using a public dog park must do so at their own risk.

(Ord. No. 2482, § 3, 5-14-2025)

In order to provide reasonable notice to the public, the director shall place and post signs in one or more conspicuous and visible area(s) of the public dog park facilities, designating a facility, structure or area as a public dog park facility, specifying the rules and regulations, and the activities described as prohibited within the public dog park facility.

(Ord. No. 2482, § 3, 5-14-2025)

The director may set forth any other rules and regulations for the use of a public dog park facility which he/she deems appropriate, provided that signs describing such rules and regulations are placed and posted pursuant to this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2482, § 3, 5-14-2025)

A. Any violation of this chapter may be punishable as either a misdemeanor or an infraction.

B. Any city employee may request anyone who violates a posted rule to leave the public dog park. It is unlawful for any person to fail to leave the dog park for violating any posted rule after being requested to do so by a city representative.

C. Repeat violations (i.e. having three or more violations) may result in suspension or prohibition of the owner or handler and dog from using the public dog park facility.

D. Repeat violations of this chapter may also constitute a public nuisance and may be abated by the city through civil process by means of restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or in any other manner provided by law for the abatement of such nuisances.

(Ord. No. 2482, § 3, 5-14-2025)

Employees of the Montebello police department, code enforcement division, director, and all public employees in the recreation and community services department are given the authority to enforce any violation of this chapter, including the authority to issue citations therefore.

(Ord. No. 2482, § 3, 5-14-2025)