Pleasanton Municipal Code Ch. 11.60 Robert C. Philcox Memorial Horse Traffic Ordinance

The city council on February 28, 1978, adopted Ordinance 846 relating to horse traffic in the city. Ordinance 846 was sponsored by then Mayor Robert C. Philcox. The adoption and enactment of Ordinance 846 could not have been accomplished without the determined perseverance of Robert C. Philcox, therefore this chapter shall be known as the "Robert C. Philcox Memorial Horse Traffic Ordinance."

(Ord. 907, 1979)

It is the intent of the city council by adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter to provide for the safety of pedestrians and vehicle drivers as well as horses and their riders on the streets and sidewalks of the city. The council finds and declares that there are certain areas in the city which due to pedestrian and vehicular traffic endanger horses, their riders and pedestrians and, therefore equestrian activities should be limited or prohibited in those areas.

(Prior code § 5-1.60)

"Equestrian trail"

means any trail designated by the city council as such.

"Horse"

includes any mules, burro, pony, jack or jenny.

"Main Street"

means Main Street in the city of Pleasanton running from its intersection with Bernal Avenue to its intersection with Stanley Boulevard.

"Shopping center"

means any area in a C-N (neighborhood commercial), C-C (central commercial) or C-R (regional commercial) zoning district that has been developed with commercial uses. The term shall further include all buildings, parking lots, driveways, walkways and public sidewalks bordering the shopping center.

(Prior code § 5-1.61; Ord. 1516 § 1, 1991)

The planning commission shall advise the city council on any proposals for equestrian trail designations. The city council shall consider the designation of equestrian crossings as provided for in California Vehicle Code Section 21805 whenever any proposed equestrian trail would cross a highway.

(Prior code § 5-1.62)

A. Commercial Centers. Except as provided in this section, no horse shall be ridden, walked or tethered on the streets, sidewalks, walkways or parking lots of any shopping center of the city or along Main Street, First Street, Santa Rita Road, Hopyard Road, or Bernal Avenue between First Street and Interstate 680 in the city, except on approved equestrian trails or crossings.

B. Other Prohibited Areas. The city council may, from time to time, designate by resolution, any other areas of the city prohibited to horse traffic. The city shall post all such additional areas, but posting shall not be a prerequisite for citing violators.

C. Subject to the granting of a temporary conditional use permit in accordance with the provisions of Section 18.124.170 of the Pleasanton municipal code, certain equestrian events, as deemed appropriate by the zoning administrator, may take place on Main Street and within other commercial areas. Horse-drawn carriages may be considered appropriate for all commercial locations and pony rides, in conjunction with an approved special event, may be considered appropriate for shopping center type locations.

D. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the participation of mounted or equestrian units in parades authorized by the city council nor prohibit the walking of a horse to a licensed veterinarian.

(Prior code § 5-1.63; Ord. 1516 § 2, 1991)