Portola Valley Municipal Code Ch. 12.08 Trails

A. Public trails are valuable recreational facilities which are recognized as being a part of the rural character of the town and, as such, are developed and maintained for use by the general public.

B. In order to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the residents and property owners, it is essential to maintain public trails and at the same time protect the privacy and safety of private property.

C. These provisions relating to trails are specifically designed to implement the town's General Plan, Circulation, Scenic Highways and Trails and Paths Element.

(Ord. 1986-214 § 2 (part), 1986)

Obstructions to public trails are prohibited and shall not be installed, placed or maintained on a public trail unless authorized by the town by revocable encroachment permit. Obstructions shall consist of, but shall not be limited to, the following:

A. Fences or gates installed in or across any public trail;

B. Trees, bushes, shrubs, or other planting, unless trimmed or maintained so as not to obstruct safe and convenient use of the trail;

C. Structures of any kind including, but not limited to, sheds, irrigation systems or wells;

D. Corrals or pastures for livestock, all or a portion of which encroaches into the public trail easement;

E. Pens or runs for fowl or animals;

F. Vehicle parking;

G. Paving by use of any impervious substance;

H. Moveable objects such as firewood, lumber, pipe, loads of gravel, sand or debris which are upon or extend within the public trails easement.

(Ord. 1986-214 § 2 (part), 1986)

A. Trails on Public Road Rights-of-way or Private Roads. No fence, gate, wall, planting or other obstruction shall be installed, placed or maintained on a public trail located within the right-of-way of any public street, road or highway or any private road.

B. Dedicated Trail Easements Adjacent to and Parallel to a Public Road Right-of-Way or Private Road. Fences are not permitted along the trail easement boundary adjacent to the public road right-of-way or private road. Fences are permitted along the trail easement boundary nearest to the interior portion of the private property on which the trail easement is located provided no part of the fence shall encroach into or upon the public trail easement.

(Ord. 1986-214 § 2 (part), 1986)

The council may from time to time adopt, by resolution, rules and regulations for the purpose of controlling the use of trails and implementing this chapter. Each violation of the rules and regulations duly adopted is deemed to be an infraction and subject to the penalties set forth in Section 1.12.020 of this code.

(Ord. 1986-214 § 2 (part), 1986)

Any use of a public trail other than for the use or purpose for which it was dedicated is prohibited.

(Ord. 1986-214 § 2 (part), 1986)

It is unlawful for any person to violate any provision or to fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter. Each violation of this chapter shall be a misdemeanor punishable pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.12.010 of this Code; provided, however, a violation of Section 12.08.040 shall be an infraction punishable pursuant to Section 1.12.020 of this Code.

(Ord. 1986-214 § 2 (part), 1986)