Article 2 — Park Rules and Regulations

The rules and regulations set out in this division apply to all parks and recreational facilities within the City except as otherwise expressly stated. (Prior code § 30-80)

A person shall not enter, be or remain in any park or recreational facility except as may be expressly permitted as follows:

• A. Unless an authorized City employee is present and on duty, no person, other than an authorized City employee, may enter upon, remain in, occupy, or visit any park or recreational facility outside of the posted hours as set forth in subsection C, or such alternative hours of operation as may be posted by the City. Any person who remains in, occupies or visits a park or recreational facility in violation of this subsection shall be guilty of an infraction.

• B. No person may remain on the premises of any park or recreational facility when asked to leave by an authorized City employee. Any person who remains on, or refuses to depart from, the premises of any park or recreational facility in violation of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

• C. Hours of Operation. The Director shall post the hours of operation in one or more conspicuous locations at each park or recreational facility.

• (Prior code § 30-81)

A person, other than an authorized City employee in the performance of his or her duties, shall not:

• A. Dig, remove, destroy, injure, mutilate or cut any tree, plant, shrub, grass, fruit or flower, or any portion thereof, growing in a park, or fasten any bill or advertisement on any tree in a park;

• B. Remove any wood, turf, grass, soil, rock, sand or gravel from any park; or

• C. Cut, break, injure, deface or disturb any rock, building, cage, pen, monument, sign, fence, bench, structure, apparatus, equipment or property in a park or any portion thereof; or mark or place thereon, or on any portion thereof, any mark, writing or printing; or attach thereto any sign, card, display or other similar device.

• (Prior code § 30-82)

• A. No person shall ride, drive or propel any vehicle within any park or recreational facility, except upon the roads, driveways and highways provided and designated by the Director

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City of Paramount, CA § 9.32.110

PUBLIC PEACE AND WELFARE

§ 9.32.140

for such use, and must ride, drive or propel such vehicle in a careful manner, at lawful rate of speed, and in accordance with the rules and regulations made by the Director.

• B. No person shall park any automobile or other vehicle on any lawn, vegetation or planted section in any park or recreational facility or in any pedestrian lane therein, or any other place where the rules and regulations of the Director prohibit vehicular parking. All vehicles must be parked so as not to obstruct the flow of traffic.

• C. No person shall wash, polish, grease or repair any automobile or other vehicle in any park or recreational facility, or any part thereof, except insofar as repairs may be necessary for the immediate removal of any damaged or disabled automobile or other vehicle from such park or recreational facility.

• D. No person shall stop or park any vehicle at any place within the boundaries of any park or recreational facility after the hours of operation except when participating in an event authorized by the Director, and then only when such person stops or parks the vehicle at an area specifically designed for such stopping or parking in connection with the authorized event.

• E. No vehicle carrying, or used in carrying goods, wares, merchandise, manure, soil, building material or other article or thing of commerce or trade, shall enter or upon any park or recreational facility without prior authorization of the Director. Transportation of garbage into, upon or within any park or recreational facility is unlawful and prohibited.

• F. Recreational vehicle parking at any City park or recreational facility is prohibited after 6:00 p.m. and no more than two hours during any park or recreational facility operational hours unless permitted as part of an event authorized by the Director. For purposes of this section, a recreational vehicle shall mean any motor vehicle, motor home, travel trailer, camper, tent trailer, camping trailer, boat trailer, van conversion, "pop up" van, and similar vehicles, including, but not limited to, vehicles registered as house cars, designed and used for human habitation.

(Prior code § 30-83; Ord. 1130 § 1, 2020)

A person shall not bring any large commercial vehicle, or semi-trailer into any park or recreational facility. For purposes of this section, a large commercial vehicle is shall mean any vehicle painted, configured, or designed for primary use in a commercial profession or trade and having an unladen weight of 6,000 pounds or greater, or any vehicle more than 19 feet in length or seven feet in width or seven feet in height.

(Prior code § 30-84)

A person shall not bring any sound or advertising vehicle into any park or recreational facility. For purposes of this section, a sound or advertising vehicle is defined under Section 12.48.010 of the Paramount Municipal Code.

(Prior code § 30-85)

Camping on or within any park or recreational facility is unlawful and prohibited.

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City of Paramount, CA

PARAMOUNT CODE

§ 9.32.140

§ 9.32.160

(Prior code § 30-86)

• A. It is unlawful for any person to bring, have, allow, suffer, or free any animal within any park and recreation facility, including, but not limited to, any dog, cat, horse, fowl, bovine or other domestic animal, or any reptile or other wild animal; except for service dogs, dogs permitted under subsection B, or where animals are participating in City sponsored events.

• B. Dogs shall be permitted in Dills Park, All-American Park, Spane Park, Progress Park and Paramount Park except in those designated areas that have signs posted which prohibit dogs in that specific area. All persons responsible for dogs shall comply with the following special rules:

  1. Dogs shall be currently licensed and vaccinated.

  2. Dogs shall always be on a secure leash of not more than six feet long and held continuously in the hands of a responsible person capable of controlling the dog.

  3. All persons responsible for dogs must always keep their dogs under visual and voice control.

  4. Dangerous or vicious dogs are prohibited. A "dangerous or vicious dog" is any dog which bites or attempts to bite any human or animal without provocation, or which has a disposition or propensity to attack, bite or menace any human or animal without provocation and endangers the health and safety of any person. Persons responsible for such dogs are legally responsible for any injury caused by their dog(s). Dogs in heat or less than four months of age are prohibited.

  5. All persons responsible for dogs shall clean up after their dogs and deposit waste in a trash receptacle.

  6. All persons responsible for dogs are responsible for the behavior of their pet. The City shall not be responsible for injury or illness to dogs or their owners.

  7. All persons responsible for dogs are requested to monitor and self-police the dog area.

  8. The number of dogs with any person shall not exceed two per person.

  9. Failure to comply with posted rules may result in citation, expulsion from the park or recreational facility, or may cause the animal to be impounded.

• C. It is unlawful for any person to disobey or violate the special rules relating to dogs in the parks identified in subsection B. Signs shall be posted at each entrance to the permitted parks providing all persons using the park with reasonable notice of the special rules and further providing notice that any person failing to do so shall be subject to those penalties in subsection (B)(9).

(Prior code § 30-87; Ord. 1130 § 1, 2020)

• A. No person shall throw, place, cast, deposit, dump or cause to be thrown, placed, cast deposited or dumped, any furniture, ashes, refuse, offal, vegetables, garbage, glass,

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City of Paramount, CA § 9.32.160

PUBLIC PEACE AND WELFARE

§ 9.32.200

crockery, dross, cinders, shells, straw, shavings, paper, scraps, dirt, dead animal, dead fish, dead fowl, dead bird or dead reptile, bones, tin cans or like matter, empty box, carton, waste paper, remains of food, newspaper, filth or rubbish of any kind on the grounds, streets, sidewalks, or landscaping in any park or recreational facility.

• B. No person shall dump or deposit any waste matter in any park or recreation facility container except waste matter created as a result of a park or recreational facility activity.

• C. No person shall place, pile, deposit or leave any building material or any article or thing whatsoever upon any park or recreational facility without first having obtained a permit from the City.

(Prior code § 30-88)

The possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages or narcotics and dangerous drugs by any person is unlawful in any park or recreational facility. (Prior code § 30-89)

In the interest of safeguarding and/or furthering the public health, safety and welfare, the City Council may establish a facility use policy for the use of any or all parks or recreational facilities in the City, including City sponsored events at the parks or recreational facilities. The facilities use policy shall, among other things, set forth rules regulating the rental or use of any or all recreational facilities, the time and manner of application for such use, the charges to be paid for such use and other similar administrative matters. The facilities use policy shall be established, and may from time to time be amended, by City Council resolution. (Prior code § 30-90)

A person shall not solicit, or advertise in any manner or for any purpose, or sell or offer for sale any goods, wares, merchandise or services on any park or recreational facility therein except:

• A. Pursuant to a concession or other agreement authorized by the Director.

• B. A sports team which is a member of a regular sports league as determined by the Director.

• C. Pursuant to permission granted by the City Council, if the acts permitted will not in any way detract from the use of the park or recreational facility by the public and if the proceeds are used for charitable purpose and the City Council so finds.

• D. When found by the Director to be consistent with the policies of the department or to promote the programs of the department, under conditions prescribed by him or her.

• E. A sidewalk vendor who is otherwise in compliance with the provisions of Chapter 12.40 of the Paramount Municipal Code. (Sidewalk and Park Vending Program).

• (Prior code § 30-91)

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City of Paramount, CA § 9.32.200

PARAMOUNT CODE

§ 9.32.210

No person shall play or practice golf (including, but not limited to, driving, chipping or putting a standard or simulated golf ball), except in a golf course, and/or driving range. (Prior code § 30-92)

• A. Purpose. The City Council enacts this section for the sole purpose of securing and promoting the public health, comfort, safety, and welfare of its citizenry. While recognizing that certain uses of sound amplifying equipment are protected by constitutional rights of free speech and assembly, the Council nevertheless feels obligated to reasonably regulate the use of sound amplifying equipment in order to protect the correlative constitutional rights of the citizens of this community to privacy and freedom from the public nuisance of loud and unnecessary sound.

• B. Permit Required for Amplifiers. It is unlawful for any person to install, use, or operate within a park or recreational facility a loudspeaker or any sound amplifying equipment for the purposes of giving instructions, directions, talks, addresses, or lectures, or of transmitting music to any persons or groups of persons in any park or recreational facility, or in the vicinity of such park or recreational facility, except when installed, used, or operated in compliance with one of the following provisions:

  1. By authorized law enforcement or the Director; or

  2. Under a reservation or permit issued by the Director, and when operated in accordance with terms of such reservation or permit.

• C. Granting or Denial of Permit.

  1. In determining whether to grant or deny a permit, the Director shall be guided by the following considerations:

     • a. The constitutional free speech and assembly rights of all persons, including the applicant.

     • b. The possible effects upon the peaceable passage or presence of persons in the park or recreational facility.

     • c. The potential for disorder or unlawful injury to persons or property.

     • d. The potential invasion of other persons' rights of privacy.

     • e. The possible unlawful breach or disturbance of the peace.

     • f. Any actual conflict with other scheduled park uses or events.

  2. The Director shall not deny a permit on the basis of any dislike for or disagreement with the content of any proposed talks, addresses, lectures, or musical presentations. The Director may, however, deny a permit for any such events which are designed for advocating imminent lawless conduct.

  3. Any person denied a permit may immediately file written appeal with the City Clerk. When such written notice of appeal is received, the City Clerk shall thereupon

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City of Paramount, CA § 9.32.210

PUBLIC PEACE AND WELFARE

§ 9.32.220

forward the appeal to the City Council at its next regular meeting, or to a designated agent of the City Council empowered to call a special meeting, at which time the applicant and concerned agencies may present evidence. The City Council action, after such hearing, shall be conclusive and final.

• D. Power Source for Amplifiers. Amplifiers permitted in parks, as authorized under subsection B, shall be operated only through a power source as required by the Director.

• (Prior code § 30-93)

The following activities are also unlawful and prohibited within all parks or recreational facilities as defined in this chapter:

• A. To throw upon, along or across any public highway, street, roadway or driveway any missile capable of causing personal injury or damage to personal property, or to throw such missile at or toward, or in the vicinity of any vehicle standing or moving along, upon or across any section, highway, street, roadway or driveway;

• B. To take or otherwise transport, or have in possession therein, or to fire or discharge therein, any firearm, firecracker, rocket, torpedo, fireworks, gun or slingshot;

• C. To disturb the peace or quiet therein by any undue loud or unusual noise, or by tooting, blowing or sounding any automobile siren, horn or signal, or any noisemaking device, or any tumultuous conduct, to use any vulgar, profane or obscene language therein, or to interfere with a permitted use of designated picnic areas;

• D. Gambling, unless authorized by the Director for permitted events conducted by local service clubs and non-profit organizations;

• E. Public intoxication as prohibited under Section 9.08.010 of the Paramount Municipal Code;

• F. Washing of clothes, dishes, bathing or swimming unless specifically permitted;

• G. Fight or challenge another person to fight;

• H. Circuses, carnival rides, game trucks or other similar entertainment unless part of a City sponsored event;

• I. To cook or prepare food using a portable barbeque (BBQ) device, other than those BBQs provided by the City. No additional BBQs are permitted to be brought into any park area;

• J. To create, start, or use an open fire;

• K. To engage in kite flying or to operate model airplanes, boats or drones except in areas designated for such use by the Director, and subject to all rules and regulations contained in such written permission;

• L. To set up, possess, use, or operate a moon bounce, or similar inflatable devices, without a City permit;

• M. To use or operate any motorized bike, scooter, or other motorized two-wheel device;

• N. Smoking or the use of tobacco or cannabis products is unlawful and prohibited within or

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City of Paramount, CA § 9.32.220

PARAMOUNT CODE

§ 9.32.240

on any park or recreational facility except that tobacco products may be smoked in outside areas designated by the Director for and during certain special events. This prohibition encompasses the entire campus of any park or recreational facilities including, but not limited to, outdoor and indoor areas, playgrounds, gazebos, parking lots, walkways, and easements;

• O. Public urination or defecation other than in a public facility designated for such use;

• P. The use of portable generators except upon issuance of an approved jumper, moon bounce, similar inflatable permit, or any other need for power by the City;

• Q. Nude activity as prohibited under Section 9.04.480 of the Paramount Municipal Code;

• R. Obscene materials as prohibited under Section 9.04.220 of the Paramount Municipal Code;

• S. The use of glass beverage containers as prohibited under Section 9.04.030 of the Paramount Municipal Code;

• T. No roping off areas to reserve for private use (no cones, tape, flags) except upon issuance of a facility use or special event permit from the City;

• U. Group picnic activities on or within parks are restricted to weekends and holidays. Group picnic activities are prohibited during weekday park hours and no person may reserve any park space during weekday park hours unless expressly allowed under this chapter;

• V. Photo and video sessions at any park or recreational facility, if conducted for the production of an advertisement or for an activity that will or is intended to generate revenue are prohibited unless authorized by a permit issued by the City. Any photo or video session that requires semi-dedicated or dedicated use of any park or recreational facility space or excludes the use of any park or facility by other park users is prohibited unless authorized by a permit issued by the City;

• W. Car show events, as defined herein, are prohibited at any park or recreational facility unless approved pursuant to the issuance of a special event permit under Section 9.32.230. Special event permits for car show events are only available to Paramount residents and Paramount-based groups for events and fundraising activities.

• (Prior code § 30-94; Ord. 1130 § 1, 2020)

Any person who desires the exclusive or semi-exclusive use of all or any portion of a park or recreational facility for the conduct of a community event or special event must apply for a permit authorizing such use. The facilities use policy, or other regulatory ordinance shall set forth and/or identify: (1) those parks and/or recreational facilities which may be eligible for such use or the portion of any such parks or recreational facilities which may be eligible for such use; (2) the duration of such use; (3) the procedures for applying for a permit; (4) the requisite criteria for granting a permit; and (5) such other terms, conditions and responsibilities as may be reasonably be imposed upon any person seeking the exclusive or semi-exclusive use of an eligible park or recreational facility or eligible portion thereof. (Prior code § 30-95)

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City of Paramount, CA § 9.32.240

PUBLIC PEACE AND WELFARE

§ 9.32.250

• A. Purpose. The City Council respects and upholds the right of the public to use the City's public parks for expressive activity. While recognizing the that political activity is protected by constitutional rights of free speech and assembly, the Council nevertheless feels obligated to reasonably regulate the time, place and manner of such expressive activity in order to protect the rights of members of the community who are also enjoying the use of the City's public parks and recreational facilities and especially when members of the community are attending special City park events.

• B. Candidates seeking office are free to set up a campaign table at any of the City's parks with election signage during the hours a park is open; provided, however, that the candidate shall be required to have someone present during all times the campaign table is on the park and must not be left unattended. The campaign table is the only location where candidates may place signage. Candidates can also distribute campaign literature to other members of the community who are enjoying the use of the City's public parks or recreational facilities without unduly interfering with the right of park-goers to enjoy the parks or recreational facilities.

• C. At City events or co-sponsored events, the City will designate an area where a candidate's campaign table can be freely set up. The campaign table is the only location where a candidate may place signage. All other space in the park will be designated and utilized as event space for the City or co-sponsored special event. Candidates can also distribute campaign literature on the park during the special event but must be done peacefully and not unduly infringe on the community members' rights to enjoy the special event.

• (Prior code § 30-96)

The City Council finds that a number of City parks have limited or no reservable areas for persons and therefore the following additional rules apply at all times in addition to the general regulations in this chapter:

• A. Paramount Park. Has reservable gazebo areas. Any picnic setups outside of the designated gazebo areas is prohibited. Gazebo rentals at this park are limited to a maximum of 25 persons per party. Any party in excess of 25 persons shall require a special event permit from the Director.

• B. Progress Park. Has two reservable areas (not gazebo). Any picnic setups outside of the designated reservable areas is prohibited. Reservable areas at this park are limited to a maximum of 25 persons per party. Any party in excess of 25 persons shall require a special event permit from the Director.

• C. All-American Park. Has one reservable area. Persons are authorized to set up booths outside this area and open on three sides. The size and number of the booths shall be regulated by the Director prior to use. Booths are prohibited unless open on three sides and viewable. Only two 10-foot by 10-foot booths per party are allowed within this area with a maximum of three parties per allowed day of use at this park.

• D. Spane Park. Has no reservable areas. Persons are authorized to set up booths within this park and open on three sides. The size of the booths shall be regulated by the Director prior to use. Booths are prohibited unless open on three sides and viewable. Only two 10-foot by 10-foot booths per party are allowed within this area with a maximum number of 25

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City of Paramount, CA § 9.32.250

PARAMOUNT CODE

§ 9.32.270

persons per party, and a maximum of two parties per allowed day of use at this park. Any requested use in excess of these stated limitations shall require a special event permit from the Director.

• E. Dills Park. Has one reservable area. Any picnic setups outside of the designated reservable area is prohibited.

• F. Salud Park. Has no reservable areas. Any picnic setups are prohibited.

• G. Garfield Park. Has no reservable areas. Any picnic setups are prohibited.

• H. Village Park. Has no reservable areas. Any picnic setups are prohibited.

• I. Meadows Park. Has two reservable gazebo areas. Any picnic setups outside of the designated gazebo areas are prohibited.

• J. Carosmith Park. Has no reservable areas. Any picnic setups are prohibited.

• K. Pequeno Park. Has no reservable areas. Any picnic setups are prohibited.

Any areas which are authorized for a person to set up either booths or tents are prohibited from locating or placing such booths or tents in any athletic field space. For purposes of this section, a booth is defined as any portable structure consisting of metal or plastic legs and a canopy top.

(Prior code § 30-97)

In an emergency or when the Director, the Police Chief, the Fire Chief, or their designee shall determine that the public interest, or public health, or public morals, or public safety demands such action, any park and recreation facility or any part or portion thereof, may be closed against the public and all persons may be excluded therefrom until such emergency or other reason upon which such determination of the Director of Parks and Recreation is based has ceased, and upon the cessation thereof the park and recreation facility, trail, grounds or recreation center or part or portion thereof so closed shall again be reopened to the public by the Director. (Prior code § 30-98)

• A. It is unlawful for any person to violate any provision or fail to comply with any mandatory requirement of this chapter. Except as otherwise provided in subsection B of this section, any person violating any provision, or failing to comply with any mandatory requirement of this chapter is guilty of an infraction, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine as established by Government Code Section 36900 then in effect.

• B. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, any person committing any act made unlawful pursuant to subsection A of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 and/or imprisonment of not more than six months, if any of the following circumstances exists:

  1. The violation was committed willfully or with knowledge of its illegality;

  2. The violator does not cease or otherwise abate the violation after receiving notice of such violation;

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City of Paramount, CA § 9.32.270

PUBLIC PEACE AND WELFARE

§ 9.32.270

3. The violator has previously been convicted of violating the same provision of this article within two years of the currently charged violation. For this purpose, a bail forfeiture is a conviction of the offense charged; or

4. The provision violated specifies that such violation shall be a misdemeanor.

• C. In addition to all other legal remedies which may be pursued by the City to address any violations of this chapter, any person violating any provision of this article may be issued an administrative citation as provided in Chapter 1.08 of the Paramount Municipal Code.

• D. Each person violating any provision or failing to comply with the mandatory requirements of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each day during any portion of which any violation of any provision of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted by such person, firm or corporation, and shall be punishable as provided in this section.

• (Prior code § 30-99)

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City of Paramount, CA