Palm Desert Municipal Code Ch. 8.85 Skate Park Regulations

The purposes of this chapter are:

A. To establish regulations for the safe use and enjoyment of city-owned and city-operated skate park facilities, in the interest of public safety;

B. To comply with Health and Safety Code Section 115800 by adopting an ordinance requiring all persons riding a skateboard or other wheeled recreational device at a city skate park facility to wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads, with penalty by citation;

C. To satisfy the conditions of Health and Safety Code Section 115800(b) for operating a publicly owned skate park facility that is not supervised on a regular basis; and

D. To satisfy the conditions for the hazardous recreational activity liability safe harbor under Health and Safety Code Section 115800(e) and Government Code Section 831.7, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

(Ord. 930 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1452, 7/9/2026)

As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings set forth below. Terms used but not defined in this chapter shall have the meanings in common usage or as otherwise defined by applicable state law.

"City skate park facility" or "skate park"

means any outdoor area or facility owned or operated by the city of Palm Desert that is designed and maintained for the purpose of riding recreational skateboards or other wheeled recreational devices, including, without limitation, the Palm Desert Skate Park located at the Palm Desert Civic Center, 43900 San Pablo Avenue, Palm Desert, California.

"Elbow pads"

means protective coverings worn on both elbows designed to absorb impact and reduce abrasion injury.

"Helmet"

means a protective head covering that meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z90.4), the Snell Memorial Foundation, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), or a comparable safety standard, and that is properly fitted and fastened on the rider's head while in use.

"Knee pads"

means protective coverings worn on both knees designed to absorb impact and reduce abrasion injury.

"Other wheeled recreational device"

has the same meaning as in Health and Safety Code Section 115800(d), and means nonmotorized bicycles, scooters, inline skates, roller skates, or wheelchairs being used for recreational purposes. This definition shall be interpreted consistently with any amendment to Health and Safety Code Section 115800(d).

"Skateboard"

means a platform mounted on wheels, designed or customarily used by a person standing, sitting, or kneeling, and propelled by the rider pushing off with one foot, by gravity, or by the momentum of the rider. The term does not include motorized or electric-powered boards or platforms.

"Skating area"

means the portion of a city skate park facility specifically designed and designated for riding a skateboard or other wheeled recreational device, which may include a bowl, half-pipe, street course, pump track, or other purpose-built concrete or other surface area.

"Stunt, trick, or luge riding"

means the performance of maneuvers beyond straight, level riding, including jumps, grinds, slides, aerials, spins, and similar acrobatic or speed-oriented techniques.

(Ord. 930 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1452, 7/9/2026)

A. Equipment and Signage Requirements. The following requirements are adopted pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 115800(b) to satisfy the conditions for operating city skate park facilities without regular supervision:

1. Any person riding a skateboard or other wheeled recreational device in the skating area of a city skate park facility must wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads at all times while riding.

2. The city shall post signs at each city skate park facility in accordance with Section 8.85.060, providing reasonable notice of the safety equipment requirement and the penalty for non-compliance.

B. Recordkeeping. The Parks and Recreation Department shall develop and maintain a system for recording skateboarding and other wheeled recreational device injuries and claims in accordance with Health and Safety Code Section 115800(e).

(Ord. 930 § 1, 1999; Ord. 963 § 1, 2000; Ord. 1452, 7/9/2026)

A. Designation. Skateboarding and riding other wheeled recreational devices in a city skate park facility are hereby designated as hazardous recreational activities within the meaning of Government Code Section 831.7, and as provided in Health and Safety Code Section 115800(e), to the fullest extent permitted by law. By virtue of the design features of the skating area, including ramps, bowls, rails, half-pipes, and transitions, all riding of a skateboard or other wheeled recreational device within the skating area constitutes stunt, trick, or luge riding within the meaning of Health and Safety Code Section 115800(e)(1)(B).

B. Civil Liability Limitation. Consistent with Government Code Section 831.7 and Health and Safety Code Section 115800, and subject to the exceptions and limitations set forth in those statutes, the city shall not be liable for injuries incurred by participants in skateboarding or other wheeled recreational device riding at a city skate park facility. Nothing in this chapter creates any duty of care or basis of liability beyond what may be imposed by applicable state law.

C. Participant Assumption of the Risk. All persons who use a city skate park facility do so at their own risk. By entering the skating area, each participant assumes all inherent risks of skateboarding and use of other wheeled recreational devices, including, but not limited to, collisions, falls, and contact with the skating surface or equipment.

(Ord. 930 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1452, 7/9/2026)

A. Permitted Uses in the Skating Area. Skateboarding and riding other wheeled recreational devices is permitted:

1. In the skating area only;

2. While wearing a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads at all times while riding;

3. During posted hours only. The parks and recreation director or designee is authorized to establish, adjust, and post the hours of operation for each city skate park facility. Use of a city skate park facility outside of posted hours is prohibited.

B. Special Events. Organized events at a city skate park facility, including contests, demonstrations, classes, camps, or similar group activities, must be approved in advance through the city's park reservation and special event permit process.

C. Prohibited Devices in the Skating Area. The following devices are prohibited from the skating area at all times:

1. Motorized or electric-powered skateboards, scooters, bicycles, or other motorized vehicles;

2. Any device the parks and recreation director or designee has determined is unsafe or unfit for use in the skating area based on a reasonable finding that the device is likely to cause damage to the skating surface or harm to other participants.

D. Safety Hazard Prohibitions. The following are prohibited in the skating area at all times because they create foreseeable safety hazards:

1. Food and beverages (to reduce litter and wet surfaces);

2. Glass containers or cans;

3. Unauthorized ramps, jumps, or obstacles;

4. Use of the skating area when it is raining or the skating surface is wet or otherwise impaired;

5. Smoking of any substance, including tobacco, e-cigarettes, and cannabis, in accordance with Chapter 8.36;

6. Consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages;

7. Possession or use of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia;

8. Verbal abuse, threats, harassment, or intimidation of other users; and

9. Any act that endangers the safety or well-being of others.

E. Spectators. Non-participating spectators are prohibited in the skating area. Spectators must remain in designated viewing areas or areas outside the skating area.

(Ord. 930 § 1, 1999; Ord. 963 § 1, 2000: Ord. 1452, 7/9/2026)

A. Posting Requirement. The city shall post at least one official sign at the entry to each city skate park facility, and additional signs within or adjacent to the skating area as needed to provide reasonable notice of this chapter.

B. Sign Content. Each sign posted pursuant to this section shall cite to this chapter and include wording similar to the following:

1. Safety Equipment Requirement: "All persons riding a skateboard or other wheeled recreational device in the skating area must wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads at all times while riding."

2. Hazardous Activity Warning: "Skateboarding and use of other wheeled recreational devices are hazardous recreational activities. Use of this facility is at your own risk. The City of Palm Desert may not be liable for injuries incurred at this facility."

3. Citation Warning: "Failure to wear required safety equipment is an infraction subject to citation and a fine of $100. Violators may be required to leave the facility."

4. Park Regulations Summary: A summary of the regulations set forth in Section 8.85.050.

5. Hours of Operation: The posted hours of operation for the facility.

(Ord. 930 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1452, 7/9/2026)

A. Safety Equipment Infraction. Failure to wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads as required by Section 8.85.030A is an infraction, punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars per violation. Each instance of non-compliant riding is a separate violation. A person in violation shall also be required to leave the skating area until compliant equipment is worn.

B. General Violations. Violation of any other provision of this chapter is an infraction, punishable by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for a first violation within any twelve-month period, not exceeding two hundred dollars for a second violation of the same provision within one year, and not exceeding five hundred dollars for each additional violation within one year, consistent with Government Code Section 36900(b). A third or subsequent violation within a twelve-month period may alternatively be prosecuted as a misdemeanor punishable as provided in Section 1.12.010 of this code.

C. Administrative Citation. In addition to or in lieu of criminal prosecution, violations of this chapter may be enforced by administrative citation and administrative fine pursuant to Chapter 8.81 of this code.

D. Removal from Facility. Any city employee or law enforcement officer may require a person who violates this chapter to immediately leave the city skate park facility. A person who fails or refuses to leave when lawfully directed to do so is subject to citation for trespass in addition to any other applicable penalty.

(Ord. 930 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1452, 7/9/2026)