Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code Ch. 12.16 Streets, Parks, Preserve and Recreational Facilities

Footnotes:

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Prior ordinance history—Ordinance No. 134.

A. No person other than authorized park employees or city agents or other authorized persons in the performance of their duties shall cut, break, dig up, remove, or in any manner injure or alter any plant, animal, public building, structure or contents therein on any park or municipal property.

B. This prohibition may be enforced by any means permitted under this Code or state law.

C. If any damage to any city-owned or -managed plants, animals, public buildings, structures or contents therein requires the city to incur costs or expend either money or personnel time to correct such damage, the city may seek to recover such costs or expenditures, including reasonable attorneys' fees, as permissible under this Code and state law.

(Ord. No. 650, § 3, 11-2-2021)

• Operation of motor vehicles and electric bicycles in parks, preserves, and recreational facilities.

A. The purpose of this section is to ensure that city recreational spaces and other specified city properties are maintained in good condition and in a manner that protects the health, safety, and welfare of visitors by preventing the use of vehicles and electric bicycles that pose a risk to park visitors or damage park property, while allowing access to persons with disabilities. Nothing in this section is intended to supersede, duplicate, or conflict with Article 4 (operation of bicycles) of Chapter 1 of Division 11 of the Vehicle Code, codified as Vehicle Code § 21200 et seq., including any amendments or successor statutes thereto.

B. Definitions. The following words and phrases shall have the following meanings in this section and Section 12.16.190, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

City agents shall mean and include emergency and law enforcement personnel and any city consultant or contractor under contract with the city.

City recreational spaces means and includes: riding or hiking trails, including, but not limited to, riding and hiking trails within the preserve or any other open space reserve, and any riding and hiking trail established under Article 6 of Chapter 1 of Division 5 of the Public Resources Code (Public Resources Code § 5070 et seq.); city parks; beaches; and the city's recreational facilities. City recreational spaces shall include any parking lot or parking structure associated therewith.

Director means the director of recreation and parks and shall include their designee.

Electric bicycle shall have the same meaning as Vehicle Code § 312.5, including any amendments or successor statutes thereto. An electric bicycle is a bicycle in accordance with Vehicle Code § 231, including any amendments or successor statutes thereto.

Motor vehicle shall have the same meaning as Vehicle Code § 415, including any amendments or successor statutes thereto.

Motorized bicycle or moped shall have the same meaning as Vehicle Code § 406, including any amendments or successor statutes thereto.

Motorized devices include, but are not limited to, electric bicycles, motorized tricycles or quadricycles, motorized bicycles or mopeds, motorized unicycles, people movers, hover boards, or scooters. Motorized devices do not include motor vehicles and OPDMDs.

Motorized tricycle or motorized quadricycle shall have the same definition as Vehicle Code § 407, including any amendments or successor statutes thereto.

OPDMDs means "other power-driven mobility devices" such as motorized wheelchairs, tricycles, or quadricycles.

Operator means a person who owns, operates, and/or controls a bicycle or motorized device.

Powered unicycle means a powered one-wheeled vehicle, either self-propelled or providing partial or full pedaling assistance. Examples of powered unicycles include single wheel skateboards or cycles, and self-balancing one-wheel scooters.

Preserve means the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve and shall include any property that may be included in the preserve following the effective date of the ordinance.

Trailer, sidecar, or similar device has the same meaning as set forth in Vehicle Code § 467.5(b), including any amendments or successor statutes thereto.

Vehicle has the same meaning as set forth in Vehicle Code § 670, including any amendments or successor statutes thereto.

C. Motor vehicles and motorized devices in recreational spaces.

1. Other than authorized city employees or city agents in the performance of their duties, no person shall park any motor vehicle or motorized device in city recreational spaces, except in designated areas.

2. Other than authorized city employees or city agents in the performance of their duties, no person shall operate any motor vehicle or motorized device on or over any fire break or any fire protection roads which are posted against public use and provided with locked gates, or operate any motor vehicle or motorized device on or over any city recreational spaces.

D. OPDMDs; Americans with Disabilities Act.

1. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that the city make accommodations in its public facilities for the use of OPDMDs by individuals with mobility limitations.

2. OPDMDs (other than motorized wheelchairs) that meet the following standards are exempted from subsection (C), above:

(a) Size: not exceeding 36 inches in width and 48 inches in length.

(b) Weight: the overall weight of an OPDMD (including user) shall not exceed 550 pounds.

(c) Speed: OPDMDs shall not be operated at speeds exceeding five miles per hour.

(d) Noise: OPDMDs shall not generate noise above 70 decibels.

(e) Emissions: OPDMDs shall generate zero emissions.

3. Motorized wheelchairs shall not be required to meet the standards of subsection (D)(1), above, and shall be permitted wherever pedestrians are permitted.

4. Requests for accommodations. Persons who wish to use motorized devices or OPDMDs that do not meet the criteria in subsection (D)(2) of this section in any recreational space may request an accommodation from the director, who shall issue a decision in writing within 30 days. In determining whether a particular other power-driven mobility device can be allowed in a specific city recreational space as a reasonable accommodation, the director shall consider:

(a) The type, size, weight, dimensions, and speed of the device;

(b) The recreational space's volume of pedestrian traffic (which may vary at different times of the day, week, month, or year);

(c) The recreational space's design and operational characteristics (e.g., whether its service, program, or activity is conducted indoors, the recreational space's square footage, the density and placement of stationary devices, and the availability of storage for the device, if requested by the user);

(d) Whether legitimate safety requirements can be established to permit the safe operation of the OPDMD or motorized device in the specific recreational space; and

(e) Whether the use of the OPDMD or motorized device creates a substantial risk of serious harm to the immediate environment or natural or cultural resources or poses a conflict with applicable land management laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the NCCP/HCP.

5. Inquiry into disability or use of OPDMDs or motorized device as a reasonable accommodation.

(a) Inquiry into disability. The city shall not ask an individual using an OPDMD or other mobility device questions about the nature and extent of the individual's disability.

(b) Inquiry into use of other power-driven mobility device. The city may ask a person using any other motorized device (other than a motorized wheelchair) to provide a credible assurance that the device is required because of the person's disability. The city shall accept the presentation of a valid, state-issued, disability parking placard or card, or other state-issued proof of disability as a credible assurance that the use of the device is for the individual's mobility disability. A valid disability placard or card is one that is presented by the individual to whom it was issued and is otherwise in compliance with the state of issuance's requirements for disability placards or cards. In lieu of a valid, state-issued disability parking placard or card, or state-issued proof of disability, the city shall accept as a credible assurance a verbal representation or letter from a medical doctor, not contradicted by observable fact, that the device is being used for a mobility disability.

E. Penalty for violation. A violation of this section may be prosecuted as an infraction or administrative citation, pursuant to Chapters 1.08 and 1.16 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 689, § 3, 11-19-2024)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 689, § 3, adopted November 19, 2024, repealed the former § 12.16.020, and enacted a new § 12.16.020 as set out herein. The former § 12.16.020 pertained to motor vehicles, motorized bicycles, and electric bicycles in parks, preserve, and recreational facilities regulated and derived from Ord. No. 653, § 2, adopted November 16, 2021.

No person shall be or remain in any park or municipal building at any time between one hour after sundown and one hour before sunrise, unless attending or participating in city authorized activities.

(Code 1981, § 12.16.030; Ord. No. 181, § 1(part), 1984)

No person shall operate any motorized or radio-controlled model in a park except in areas designated for such use, or upon written authorization from the city manager or their designee. In deciding whether to grant such authorization, the city manager or their designee shall consider time of day, relative crowding of the area requested, factors of public safety, availability of areas approved for such activities, and any other factor relevant to the welfare of those utilizing park or recreational facilities.

(Code 1981, § 12.16.040; Ord. No. 181, § 1(part), 1984)

A. To the maximum extent permitted by law, no person shall land, release, take off in, or launch any ultralight vehicle or balloon, as defined by 14 CFR 101.1 and 103.1, including ultralight vehicles commonly known as hang glider, paragliding device, or parasail, from any city-owned land without the express written permission from the city.

B. To the maximum extent permitted by law, no person shall fly any ultralight vehicle or balloon, as defined by 14 CFR 101.1 and 103.1, including ultralight vehicles commonly known as hang gliders, paragliding devices, or parasails, above or over any property that is owned, controlled, or managed by the city without the express written permission of the city.

C. To the maximum extent permitted by law, any person who on any city-owned park, beach, preserve or other property owned or maintained by the city conducts or participates in the operation of any ultralight vehicle or balloon, as defined by 14 CFR 101.1 and 103.1, including ultralight vehicles commonly known as hang gliders, paragliding devices, or parasails, in a manner that is in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, or without first obtaining the express written permission from the city, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Ord. No. 650, § 4, 11-2-2021)

No person may bring a dog or any other pet unless authorized by the city manager or their designee, onto any park or portion of a park unless the animal is restrained by a substantial chain or leash not exceeding six feet in length and is in the charge, care, custody and control of such person. No person may bring a dog or any other pet unless authorized by the city manager or their designee onto a golf course or designated play area under any circumstances.

(Code 1981, § 12.16.050; Ord. No. 181, § 1(part), 1984)

No person shall throw, place or dispose of any refuse, garbage, wastepaper, bottles or cans, in any place in a park other than into a garbage can or other receptacle provided for that purpose.

(Code 1981, § 12.16.060; Ord. No. 181, § 1(part), 1984)

No persons shall light or maintain any fire in any park area other than in stoves or fire circles provided in special areas designated for those purposes, except upon written authorization from the city manager or their designee. In deciding whether to grant such authorization, the city manager or their designee shall consider the time of day, relative crowding of the area requested, factors of public safety, availability of areas approved for such activities, and any other factor relevant to the welfare of those utilizing parks or recreational facilities.

(Code 1981, § 12.16.070; Ord. No. 181, § 1(part), 1984)

Any person who enters any park, nature preserve or recreational facility that is owned by the city shall comply with all applicable city regulations and posted signs, including, without limitation, regulations and signs regarding the use of public trails.

A. No person shall ride or drive or otherwise introduce any horse or other large domestic animal within a city park, city-owned nature preserve or city-owned recreational facility except on trails or areas that are designated by the city for equestrian use and in areas where automobiles and other motorized vehicles expressly are allowed, unless expressly authorized in writing to do so by the city manager or their designee.

B. No person shall ride or drive or otherwise introduce any bicycle or other similar unmotorized wheeled device within a city park, city-owned nature preserve or city-owned recreational facility except on trails or areas that are designated by the city for bicycle use and in areas where automobiles and other motorized vehicles expressly are allowed, unless expressly authorized in writing to do so by the city manager or their designee.

C. No person shall walk, jog, run or otherwise utilize any city park, city-owned nature preserve or city-owned recreational facility except on trails or areas that are designated by the city for such use and in areas where automobiles and other motorized vehicles expressly are allowed, unless expressly authorized in writing to do so by the city manager or their designee.

D. In deciding whether to grant such authorization for use pursuant to subsection A, B or C of this section, the city manager or their designee shall consider time of day, relative crowding of the area requested, factors of public safety, availability of areas approved for such activities, impact of such activities upon sensitive habitat, and any other factor relevant to the welfare of those utilizing city parks or city-owned nature preserves or recreational facilities.

(Code 1981, § 12.16.080; Ord. No. 181, § 1(part), 1984; Ord. No. 421, § 1, 2005)

When necessary for the protection of the public interest, health, welfare, or safety, the city manager or the city manager's designee shall have the authority to close from public access any street, sidewalk, trail, city facility, city park or portion thereof for such period of time necessary to protect public health, safety, welfare and in the public interest. No person other than city-authorized representatives shall enter or remain in or upon any street, sidewalk, trail, city facility, city park or portion thereof areas posted as closed.

(Code 1981, § 12.16.090; Ord. No. 181, § 1(part), 1984; Ord. No. 693, § 2, 8-19-2025)

A. No person shall appear, bathe, sunbathe, walk or be in any public park, street, right-of-way, playground, beach or the waters adjacent thereto, or any other public place or public accommodation, or in any place open to the public (with or without the admission of an admission fee), in such a manner that the genitals, vulva, pubis, pubic symphysis, pubic hair, buttocks, natal cleft, perineum, anus, anal region, or pubic region of any person, or any portion of the breast at or below the upper edge of the areola thereof of any female person, is exposed to public view or is not covered by an opaque covering.

B. This section shall not apply to:

1. Any child under ten years of age;

2. Any live theatrical performance in a theater, auditorium or other similar building devoted to theatrical performances located on public land; or

3. Any acts prohibited, or the prohibition of which is preempted, by any provision of state law.

(Code 1981, § 12.16.100; Ord. No. 301, § 1, 1994)

No person shall, by any means, hunt any animal, fowl, fish, amphibian, or reptile on city property unless expressly authorized by the city. For the purposes of this section, the term "hunt" shall mean stalk, pursue, catch, capture, kill, or attempt to stalk, pursue, catch, capture or kill.

(Code 1981, § 12.16.110; Ord. No. 364, § 1, 2001)

• Skateboards, roller skates, inline skates, scooters and similar wheeled devices prohibited on public property.

A. No person shall, and it shall constitute a public nuisance for any person to, operate, ride, propel, or coast any skateboard or scooter, or utilize roller skates, inline skates or any similar unmotorized wheeled device having wheels less than six inches in diameter, upon any public street, sidewalk, alley, or roadway within the city, where such public street, sidewalk, alley, or way is designated by resolution of the city council as closed to such activities and where notice of such prohibition has been posted and is clearly visible in the immediate vicinity where such activity is prohibited.

B. No person shall, and it shall constitute a public nuisance for any person to, operate, ride, propel, or coast any skateboard or scooter, or utilize roller skates, inline skates or any similar motorized or unmotorized wheeled device having wheels less than six inches in diameter, upon any public park or other public property within any zone in the city, where such public property is designated by resolution of the city council as closed to such activities and where notice of such prohibition has been posted and is clearly visible at a minimum of two entrances to the prohibited area or in the immediate vicinity of the area where such activity is prohibited.

C. The notices required by subsections A and B of this section shall be in substantially the following form:

PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 12.16.120 OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE, NO SKATEBOARDS, ROLLER SKATES, INLINE SKATES, OR SCOOTERS ARE PERMITTED.

D. This section shall not apply to persons participating in any city-sponsored program, event or class in which use of the self-powered wheeled devices described herein are specifically authorized, permitted or required.

E. Skateboarding on public property. Persons riding on skateboards on public roadways, public sidewalks, public parking lots and other public property shall comply with the following requirements and restrictions:

1. Skateboarding in the upright position. Persons riding on skateboards shall do so only in the upright, standing position. Using, pushing, propelling or riding on a skateboard in a sitting, prone, kneeling or lying position is prohibited.

2. Traffic controls. Persons riding on skateboards on public roadways shall obey all speed limits, stop signs, signal lights, and other traffic controls that govern the use of the public rights-of-way.

3. Yielding to traffic in same direction. Persons riding on skateboards on public roadways shall ride close to the far-right edge of the roadway, and shall yield to vehicles approaching from the rear by moving to the right curb or shoulder of the roadway.

4. Uncontrolled intersections. When approaching an uncontrolled intersection, persons riding skateboards on public roadways or public sidewalks shall dismount from the skateboard and walk across the intersection taking due care to yield to vehicles that are so near as to present a hazard.

5. Prudent operation. It shall constitute a public nuisance for any person to ride or propel a skateboard upon a roadway at a speed greater than is, or in a manner other than is, reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the grade, surface and width of, the roadway, and in no event at a speed or in a manner that demonstrates a wanton disregard for the safety of other persons or property.

6. Attaching to or towing by vehicle. A person operating a skateboard shall not attach or skitch the same or themself to any motor vehicle on the roadway. In addition, a person shall not knowingly drive a motor vehicle that is towing a person riding upon a skateboard.

F. Penalty for violations. It shall be unlawful for any person to violate or fail to comply with the provisions of this section. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an infraction and shall be subject to fines, as established by the city council.

(Code 1981, § 12.16.120; Ord. No. 371, § 2, 2001; Ord. No. 571, § 1, 7-21-2015)

It shall constitute a public nuisance for any person, including pedestrians, equestrians and bicyclists, to use any trail within the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve (the preserve) in a reckless manner that demonstrates a wanton disregard for the safety of other human beings or animals or causes injury or harm to others.

(Code 1981, § 12.16.130; Ord. No. 476, § 1, 2008)

A. Purpose. This section is intended to protect the public health, welfare and safety by reserving open spaces and facilities within the city limits for their intended purposes. Public property within the city should be readily accessible and available to residents and the public at large. The use of these areas for unauthorized camping (sleeping) purposes or storage of personal property in public places interferes with the rights of others to use the areas for their intended purposes and is deleterious to the public peace, health, safety and welfare and can cause damage to public property. This section is intended to avoid unsafe and potentially disorderly conditions, unsanitary and unhealthful conditions, and the degradation or destruction of public places within the city.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to camp or use camp paraphernalia used in any public place, except as otherwise provided herein or mandated by applicable law.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person to store personal property, including camp paraphernalia, in any public place within the city, such that property is left unattended for any length of time, except as otherwise provided herein or mandated by applicable law.

D. The provisions in the section shall not apply to any individual camping by necessity, including, for example, those instances in which every shelter in the local area is at capacity. If the individual is camping by necessity, the following criteria for safe camping shall apply:

1. At no time shall any person obstruct access to a street, sidewalk, park playground, public utility, public property, or other public right-of-way open for pedestrian travel or governmental use by sitting, lying or sleeping, or by using, maintaining or placing personal property in a manner that does not allow for passage as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended from time to time, or within ten feet of any operational or utilizable entrance, exit, driveway, or loading dock, or by creating any barrier with string, wire, rope or chain or other attachments or appurtenances upon city-owned trees, light poles, fences, equipment, or other public facilities.

2. The use of public utilities not designated for public use is prohibited.

3. Camping is prohibited in the following areas:

i. Palos Verdes Nature Preserve;

ii. City parks, including playgrounds, picnic areas, tables, bleachers, and benches;

iii. Beaches;

iv. Interior spaces of city facilities outside of posted hours of operation, city-authorized events, or any city facilities not open to the public; and

v. Landscaped areas.

4. Camping is prohibited in the city designated very high fire hazard severity zones (VHFHSZ) at all times. Individuals needing an immediate place to rest between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. may be directed to the safest suitable location by law enforcement personnel so long as all other safe camping criteria are met.

E. The provisions of this section shall not apply in the event of an emergency, including a city declared emergency or natural disaster, such as fire or earthquake, nor to any persons participating in organized and supervised recreational activities in parks within the city, as approved by the city's director of recreation and parks or the city manager.

F. Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Camp means to remain on site for sleeping purposes, whether entirely out of doors or utilizing an enclosed or semi enclosed temporary accommodation or camp paraphernalia, including, but not limited to, a tent, tarp, canopy, trailer, recreational vehicle, passenger car or truck.

Camp paraphernalia includes, but is not limited to, tarpaulins, cots, beds, sleeping bags, hammocks, or non-city designated cooking or heating facilities and similar equipment.

Landscaped area means any manicured or natural ground covered areas, including, but not limited to, flower beds, bushes, brush areas, or shrubs.

Public place means public property, whether improved or unimproved, and includes, but is not limited to, publicly-owned parking lots, driveways, open space, parks, streets, rights of way, alleys, trails, sidewalks, paths, and walkways.

Very high fire hazard severity zone means a mapped area as defined by the office of state fire marshal that designates zones based on factors such as fuel, slope and fire weather with varying degrees of fire hazard (i.e., moderate, high and very high).

(Ord. No. 654, § 2, 11-16-2021)

No person shall willfully abandon any animal on any city-owned property. For the purposes of this section, the term "willfully abandon" shall not include the release or rehabilitation and release of native state wildlife by persons or agencies so authorized pursuant to state law or regulations of the state department of fish and game.

(Code 1981, § 12.16.150; Ord. No. 530, § 2, 1-17-2012)

A. No person shall consume any alcoholic beverage at any time in any city facility. This section shall not apply where the consumption is within the premises for which a permit has been issued by the city manager.

B. No person shall consume any alcoholic beverage upon any public street, sidewalk, alley, or in any public place, place open to the public, public building, public restroom, or public parking structure or lot, except where permitted by license from the state or pursuant to a temporary permit issued by the city. The provisions of this section shall apply to any person whether on foot, in a vehicle, or otherwise.

C. No person shall possess any bottle, can, or other receptacle containing any alcoholic beverage which has been opened, or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed, at any time in any city facility. This section shall not apply where the possession is within the premises for which a permit has been issued by the city manager.

D. Violations of this section shall be punishable pursuant to chapters 1.08 (General penalty) and 1.16 (Administrative penalties). Violations of subsection (C) of this section may only be charged as infractions.

E. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alcoholic beverage means and includes alcohol, spirits, liquor, wine, beer, and every liquid or solid containing alcohol, spirits, wine, or beer, and which contains one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume and which is fit for beverage purposes either alone or when diluted, mixed, or combined with other substances.

City facility means any structure, lot or parcel that is owned, leased or operated by the city, including, without limitation, any park, trail, beach, recreation or open space area.

(Code 1981, § 12.16.160; Ord. No. 625, § 2, 8-6-2019)

• Vending, commercial services, and industrial activities regulated in parks, preserve, beaches, and recreational facilities.

A. Vending.

1. No vending area shall be placed within 100 feet of an intersection or park or preserve trail head.

2. No vendor shall sell within the preserve, on any city beach, or within open space areas and trails.

3. In addition to the operational standards in section 5.28.070, the following shall also be prohibited for any sidewalk vendor operating in any park:

a) Operate outside the hours of operation of the park.

b) Operate more than six feet from the outer edge of any walkway or pathway in the park.

c) Operate within 50 feet of any other sidewalk vendor in the park.

d) Operate on, or within 100 feet of the outer edge of, any sports field or playground equipment area.

e) Utilize any bench, table, barbeque pit, covered gathering area, or other publicly owned structure or amenity in the park in any way as part of the sidewalk vending operation.

f) Operate within 25 feet of the outer edge of any bench, table, barbeque pit, covered gathering area, or other publicly owned structure or amenity in the park.

g) Vending in a public park during any scheduled event, whether it is a city event or a private event for which a temporary use permit has been obtained.

h) Vending is prohibited from operating in a park if the city has entered into exclusive agreements for the sale of food or merchandise by one or more concessionaires for that park.

B. Commercial services and industrial activities.

1. No commercial service or industrial activity is permitted within any city-owned park, preserve, beach, or recreational facilities unless expressly authorized in writing by the city manager or their designee. For the purposes of this section, the term "industrial service" shall mean any use of land, buildings or structures designed for the purpose of manufacturing, assembling, making, preparing, inspecting, ornamenting, finishing, treating, altering, repairing, warehousing or storing or adapting for sale of any goods, substance, article or thing, or any part thereof and the storage of building and construction equipment and materials. The term "commercial service" shall mean any service sold for profit, including, but not limited to, camping, boot camps, classes, instruction, guided hikes, commercial dog walking, or organized picnics.

2. In deciding whether to grant such authorization for use pursuant to this section, the city manager or their designee shall consider time of day, relative crowding of the area requested, factors of public safety, availability of areas approved for such activities, impact of such activities upon sensitive habitat and adjacent neighborhoods, and any other factor relevant to the welfare of those utilizing city-owned parks, preserve, beaches or recreational facilities.

3. A decision regarding authorization pursuant to subsection A of this section may be appealed in writing to the city manager within ten calendar days of the decision. The city manager shall make a decision on the appeal within ten calendar days of receipt of the appeal. The decision of the city manager shall be final and is subject to judicial review pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure §§ 1094.5 and 1094.6.

(Ord. No. 650, § 5, 11-2-2021)

A. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to ensure that motorized devices, including electric bicycles, are operated safely throughout the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.

B. Definitions. The definitions in Section 12.16.020 shall apply.

C. Use of motorized devices on city streets and sidewalks.

1. It shall be unlawful for any person to ride or operate a motorized device on city streets unless such motorized device complies with all of the following requirements:

a. Every motorized device shall be equipped with a brake adequate to skid the front or rear tire of the bicycle upon application of the brake.

b. Every motorized device equipped with a trailer, sidecar, or similar device must have the device securely attached to the bicycle or motorized device.

c. Every motorized device operated at any time from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernable any person or vehicle on the streets or sidewalks, shall be equipped with lights affixed to the front and back of the bicycle or motorized device, which lights shall be visible for a distance of 300 feet from the bicycle or motorized device.

d. Each person operating a motorized device on a highway or street shall keep such motorized device in marked bike lanes, where available. On streets without bike lanes, the operator shall keep the motorized device as close to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway as possible, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, except when preparing to make a left-hand turn; provided, however, if a highway or street carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, an operator may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as possible, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.

e. Persons operating motorized device in the city shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of a roadway set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

f. No person operating a motorized device shall cling or attach themselves or their motorized device to any other moving vehicle or persons in any other moving vehicle.

g. No person operating a motorized device shall transport another person upon the motorized device unless such passenger is seated upon a separate seat attached to the motorized device. If the passenger is four years of age or younger, or weighs 40 pounds or less, the seat shall have adequate provision for retaining the passenger in place and for protecting the passenger from the moving parts of the bicycle or motorized device.

h. No person operating a motorized device shall tow any other vehicle.

i. No person riding or operating a motorized device shall participate in any race or speed contest, unless otherwise permitted by the city.

j. No person riding or operating a motorized device shall perform or attempt to perform any acrobatic, or stunt riding.

k. Every person operating a motorized device shall obey all traffic laws.

l. No person shall park any motorized device against windows or parking meters or on a sidewalk such that the motorized device obstructs sidewalk accessibility or passage, nor in such manner as to constitute a hazard to pedestrians, traffic, or property.

m. No person shall operate a motorized device faster than is reasonable and proper, having due regard for weather, visibility, pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and the surface and width of the road, and in no event at a speed that endangers the safety of any person or property.

n. No person shall operate a motorized device upon any playground, park, or school ground where children are playing.

o. The operator of any motorized device involved in an accident shall take reasonable steps to ascertain whether or not anyone was injured, and shall give their name, address, insurance, and the license number of their bicycle or motorized device to the person with whom they were in collision and obtain the same information from that person. It shall be the duty of the operator to make a written report of any accident resulting in death or injury to the police department within 24 hours of such accident.

p. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motorized device while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage and/or any drug.

q. All operators and passengers shall wear a helmet properly strapped while riding or operating a motorized device.

r. Motorized devices must yield to pedestrians at all times.

D. No person shall operate a motorized device on any of the following:

1. City sidewalks (except for children up to 14 years old), the beach, walk streets, and parking structures and parking lots owned or operated by the city, County of Los Angeles, or the State of California.

2. Other public property where signs prohibiting such activity are posted.

3. Parks, preserves, and recreational facilities, as provided by Section 12.16.020, including any amendments or successor ordinances thereto.

E. Exceptions. This section is not intended to apply to or otherwise restrict motorized devices operated by any city employee or officer while on duty, or as utilized in a safe manner by physically disabled persons as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.), as more particularly described in subsection 12.16.020(D), including any amendments or successor ordinances thereto.

F. Penalty for violation. A violation of this section shall be punished as an infraction or administrative citation, pursuant to Chapters 1.08 and 1.16 of this Code; provided that, a violation of subsection (C) may only be punished by administrative citation, pursuant to Chapter 1.16 of this Code.

(Ord. No. 689, § 4, 11-19-2024)