San Francisco County Municipal Code Art. 3 Regulations

Sec. 3.01. Rules of Park Commission to Be Obeyed. Sec. 3.02. Signs To Be Obeyed. Sec. 3.03. Public May Be Excluded. Sec. 3.04. Bridle Paths. Sec. 3.05. Athletic Activities Prohibited in Certain Areas. Sec. 3.06. Launching Boats Prohibited. Sec. 3.07. Restrictions on Posting of Signs. Sec. 3.08. Personal Services. Sec. 3.09. Airplanes, Helicopters, Hot Air Balloons, etc. Prohibited. Sec. 3.10. Peddling and Vending Merchandise or Printed Material. Sec. 3.12. Camping Prohibited. Sec. 3.13. Sleeping Prohibited During Certain Hours. Sec. 3.14. Performance of Labor. Sec. 3.15. Building Materials. Sec. 3.16. Ground To Be Restored to Condition. Sec. 3.17. Warning Signals at Danger Points. Sec. 3.18. Periodic Assessment of City Parks and City Recreation Programs. Sec. 3.19. Water Use Efficiency and Recycled Water. Sec. 3.20. Sharp Park. Sec. 3.21. Hours of Operation.

No person shall willfully disobey or violate any of the rules or regulations of the Recreation and Park Commission governing the use and enjoyment by the public of any park or of any building, structure, equipment, apparatus or appliance in any park, which rules or regulations, at the time, are posted in some conspicuous place in that area of the park or in or near the building, structure, equipment, apparatus or appliance to which the rule or regulation applies. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81)

No person shall willfully disobey the notices, prohibitions or directions on any sign posted by the Recreation and Park Commission or the Recreation and Park Department. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81)

In case of an emergency, or when in the judgment of the Recreation and Park Commission or the General Manager the public interest demands it, any portion of any park or park building therein may be closed to the public until such park area or building is reopened to the public by the Recreation and Park Commission or the General Manager; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall authorize the General Manager or the Commission to close any portion of any park or park building because of the content or viewpoint of expressive activities, existing or anticipated, to the extent such expressive activities are protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81; amended by Ord. 265-13 , File No. 130766, App. 11/27/2013, Eff. 12/27/2013)

The bridle paths are maintained for the primary use of horses and riders and any person who walks, jogs, runs or otherwise makes use of a bridle path, or who propels or conveys a vehicle or a bicycle, cart, wagon or other object on a bridle path, or who allows any animal within his or her custody on a bridle path, must leave the bridle path or remove the vehicle, object or animal from the path whenever such action or removal is necessary in order to give way to horses and riders. This Section is not applicable to members of the Police Department in the performance of their duties. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81)

In those areas of Golden Gate Park known as the Japanese Tea Garden, the Arboretum, and Conservatory Valley, no person shall participate in any athletic activity, including, but not limited to running, jogging, volleyball, baseball, soccer, football, roller skating, bicycle riding, skateboarding, or frisbee. The prohibition contained in this Section applies to running or jogging only when the person running or jogging does not remain on pedestrian paths. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81)

No person shall launch a boat nor any type of watercraft in any lake in any park, except persons operating a boat concession pursuant to an agreement with the Recreation and Park Commission and the employees of such person; persons launching sailboats in Lake Merced; persons participating in special events organized by an educational institution with the permission of the Recreation and Park Department; and any other person acting pursuant to permission granted by the Recreation and Park Commission or the Recreation and Park Department. This Section shall not apply to the launching of toy or model boats. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81)

(a) No person shall post or affix to any tree, shrub, plant, fence, building, monument, wall, post, vehicle or other physical object in any park any written or printed material, including, but not limited to, signs, notices, handbills, circulars and pamphlets. (b) Notwithstanding Section 3.07(a), signs may be posted in the following circumstances: (1) The California Academy of Sciences and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco may post signs concerning their operations, provided that the signs are posted in the immediate vicinity of the buildings under the control of these institutions and that the location or locations selected for the posting of the signs have been designated by the Recreation and Park Department as appropriate for such use by these institutions; (2) Any person who has scheduled an event in any park pursuant to a permit from the Recreation and Park Department may erect or post signs on the day that the event is scheduled to occur giving directions to such event, provided that such person receive prior approval from the Department; (3) Any person leasing Candlestick Park, Kezar Stadium or Pavilion, or Balboa Stadium may post signs on or about the premises

leased informing the public of the event scheduled to occur, provided that the locations selected for such posting have been designated by the Recreation and Park Department as appropriate for such use, which designated location or locations for each facility shall be applicable to all lessees of such facility, and provided further, that such signs not be posted earlier than one week before the event is scheduled to occur nor later than one week after the event is over; (4) Persons and organizations maintaining and operating recreational facilities on park property on a daily basis may post signs which identify the facilities which provide information pertaining to recreational activities, or which inform the public of events sponsored by such persons and organizations or of regulations governing such facilities, provided (A) that such signs are posted only on the facilities so operated and maintained, whether inside or outside and (B) that if they are posted outside, the organization receive prior approval from the Recreation and Park Department; (5) The Recreation and Park Department may post signs in any park or in any facility in any park governing the public use of park property or informing the public of events sponsored by the Department. (c) When a person or organization is required to obtain the prior approval of the Recreation and Park Department in order to post a sign in a park, the Department may withhold such approval only if it finds that the location of such sign or signs would harm public or private property, or inconvenience or endanger the public, or unduly cover or block park facilities. (d) No sign which is posted pursuant to this Section shall be affixed to any tree, shrub or plant. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81)

No person shall use any of the facilities or areas of any park for the purpose of providing tennis, golf, sailing, boating, baseball, jogging, horseback riding or other athletic instruction for compensation without first having obtained a permit, concession, license or lease from the Recreation and Park Commission. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81)

PROHIBITED. No person shall launch nor land any airplane, helicopter, parachute, hang glider, hot air balloon, nor any other machine or apparatus of aviation in any park, nor shall any person bring into any park any balloon with a diameter of more than six feet or a gas capacity of more than 115 cubic feet, without permission of the Recreation and Park Department. This Section shall not be applicable to a helicopter being used to transport persons or supplies because of an emergency situation. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81)

MATERIAL. No person shall bring, or cause to be brought, for the purposes of sale or barter, or have for sale, or sell or exchange, or offer for sale or exchange any goods, wares, or merchandise in any park without first having obtained a permit, concession, license or lease from the Recreation and Park Department or Commission. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81)

No person shall construct or maintain or inhabit any structure, tent or any other thing in any park that may be used for housing accommodations or camping, nor shall any person construct or maintain any device that can be used for cooking, except by permission from the Recreation and Park Department or Commission. No person shall modify the landscape in any way in order to create a shelter, or accumulate household furniture or appliances or

construction debris in any park. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81; amended by Ord. 12-08, File No. 071136, App. 1/31/2008)

No person shall remain in any park for the purpose of sleeping between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., except that special permission may be granted by the Recreation and Park Department to persons providing security services between said hours in any park or for other unusual events. A person cited under this section shall not be in violation of this section if: 1) he or she does not have an outstanding citation for violation of this section; and, 2) within 30 hours of issuance of the citation, her or she accepts Social Services offered by the City, another public entity, or a private, non-profit agency. For the purpose of this section, the term "Social Services" shall mean temporary or permanent housing, residential substance abuse treatment, Homeless Outreach Team Case Management services, or admission to a hospital or other residential facility for medical treatment. For purposes of this section, "outstanding citation" shall mean a citation that is not paid or that is under appeal. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81; amended by Ord. 12-08, File No. 071136, App. 1/31/2008)

No person, other than duly authorized personnel, shall perform any labor, on or upon any park, including, but not limited to, taking up or replacing soil, turf, ground, pavement, structure, tree, shrub, plant, grass, flower and the like, without permission of the Recreation and Park Department. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81)

No person shall place, pile, deposit or leave any building material in any park without first having obtained a permit to do so from the Recreation and Park Department. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81)

Where work has been done in any park pursuant to a permit, the permittee shall repair, reconstruct, and put the ground in as good condition in all respects when the work shall have been completed or terminated or such permit shall have expired, as said ground was in when said permit was granted or said work commenced; the condition of the ground, site or place in the park where the work has been done pursuant to any permit shall be made satisfactory to the Superintendent of Parks, and on the completion of said work the permittee shall forthwith remove all buildings, structures, machinery or equipment used in connection with said work from the park. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81)

Every person who does any act in any park, whether the act is done by that person or by an agent or at the person's direction, and whether the person is acting as principal, contractor, or employer, and by that act makes the park or any portion of it dangerous must erect and, so long as the danger continues, maintain around the portion of the park so made dangerous a good and substantial barrier, and shall maintain at appropriate places along such barrier, during every night, from sunset until daylight, flashing lights, flares or some other suitable light sufficient to give warning of said danger. (Added by Ord. 603-81, App. 12/18/81)

RECREATION PROGRAMS. (a) Beginning in the fiscal year 2003-2004, every five years the Recreation and Park Department shall conduct a survey of the public's opinion of the programs offered by the Recreation and Park Department, the condition of City parks and City recreational facilities under the jurisdiction of the Recreation and Park Department, and the need for changes to existing programs, parks, and recreational facilities. The Recreation and Park Department shall use the survey as a guide in its planning for park and facility renovation, acquisition and improvement, and for determining how to modify and expand its recreational programming. (b) Within 90 days of completion of the survey, the Recreation and Park Department shall transmit to the Board of Supervisors a report of the results of the survey and the actions, if any, that the Department plans to take in response to the survey results. (c) The Recreation and Park Department shall include the cost of the survey in its budget estimate for the fiscal year in which the survey will be conducted. (Added by Ord. 247-98, App. 7/31/98)

(a) The Recreation and Park Department shall work with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to maximize water use efficiency and non-potable water use on all property under the jurisdiction of the Recreation and Park Commission. The Department shall develop a schedule and identify funding sources to convert all Park facility Irrigation Systems to water efficient systems and non- potable water use, such as storm water and Recycled Water or Reclaimed Water, as those terms are defined in S.F. Public Works Code Article 22, in designated Recycled Water Use Areas as set forth in Public Works Code Section 1209. Subject to the availability of funds, such conversion is to be completed by 2013. (b) Upon the effective date of this ordinance, the Department shall ensure that the design and construction of all renovation and/or rehabilitation of Park Irrigation Systems in areas designated as Recycled Water Use Areas are compatible with the delivery of Recycled Water. Additionally, the Department shall assess all Park Irrigation Systems for repairs and/or rehabilitation necessary to avoid waste and maximize water use efficiency. (c) The Department shall install and maintain irrigation water meters at all Parks and golf courses to monitor water use and facilitate payment by the Department or golf course operator or lessee for all irrigation water used on each golf course. The Department shall ensure that each Park golf course uses Recycled Water made available to Park golf course facilities. The cost of potable or Recycled Water provided to golf course irrigation shall be included in the green fees established by the Department. (d) No later than September 2009, the Department shall develop a Park Water Conservation Plan that identifies the top water consuming parks in the City, excluding park lands identified for recycled water and artificial turf conversion, and to develop measures and recommendations to install water use efficiency measures, such as retrofits to existing irrigation systems, new irrigation systems, automatic controllers and climate-appropriate plants. The Plan will include a schedule for implementation and budget recommendations. (e) No later than December 2009, the Department shall prepare an "Irrigation System Retrofits" report that addresses the retrofits to Park Irrigation Systems, and associated capital costs, and identifies funding sources, that are required under Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations to enable SFRPD to irrigate city parks and golf courses with recycled water. (Added by Ord. 52-09, File No. 081400, App. 4/8/2009)

(a) No later than July 21, 2009, the Recreation and Park Department shall develop a plan, schedule and budget for restoring the habitat for the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) and the San Francisco garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) in conformance with the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531, et seq., and all other regulatory requirements; and for transferring Sharp Park to, or developing a joint management agreement with, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and the City of Pacifica and/or the County of San Mateo, in accordance with the deed granting Sharp Park to the City and County of San Francisco and San Francisco Administrative Code Section 23.41. The Department shall base such restoration plans on the best scientific information available, and shall include alternatives that (1) retain or redesign the golf course and (2) eliminate the golf course. (b) No later than August 31, 2009, the Department shall provide to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors a report detailing the steps taken, and the progress made, to achieve the goals set forth in subsection (a) above.

(Added by 85-09, File No. 090329, App. 5/21/2009)

(a) Persons may enter and use any park from 5:00 a.m. to midnight daily, provided that the Department may set different hours in a permit, contract or lease. This subsection 3.21(a) shall not apply to buildings, such as recreation centers, restrooms and clubhouses, or to athletic fields, which may have different hours of operation, as determined by the General Manager or the Commission, as the case may be. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), the Commission may by resolution and at any time set different hours of operation for any park or part thereof, based on operational requirements or neighborhood impacts. (c) No person shall enter or remain in any park without the permission of the Department outside of the hours open to the public as set in subsection (a) or under subsection (b), except that: (1) In the case of Balboa Park, Golden Gate Park, Lincoln Park, and McLaren Park, persons may use a vehicle (including but not limited to a car, truck, bicycle and motorcycle) on the roadway(s) in those parks or walk on paved sidewalks immediately adjacent to such roadways, at any time for purposes of traversing the park only; (2) In the case of the Panhandle, persons may walk or ride a bicycle on the bike paths at any time for purposes of traversing the park only; and, (3) In the case of Union Square, Civic Center Plaza, and Justin Herman Plaza, persons may walk on the paved portions of those plazas at any time for purposes of traversing the plaza only. (4) In the case of parks on Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island, persons may walk on paved paths at any time for purposes of traversing the parks only. (d) (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a violation of subsection (c) shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Park Code Article 10. (2) A person who is found sleeping in a park outside of the hours open to the public in violation of subsection (c) shall not be cited under this section for being present in the park while sleeping. Such a person may be cited only under Section 3.13 of this Code. (e) The Department shall post the hours for each park (1) at the park in a location designed to provide notice to members of the public, and (2) on the Department’s website. (f) The Department shall issue an annual report to the Board of Supervisors and Mayor by September 1 of each year providing the following information for the preceding fiscal year: (1) the number of citations issued by the Police Department and Park Patrol for violations of this section and the age and race of individuals cited, (2) the Department’s costs for repairs and maintenance, including graffiti abatement, resulting from vandalism in parks, and (3) the Department’s costs associated with enforcing this section. (g) Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the General Manager and the Commission under section 3.03 of this Code. (Added by Ord. 265-13 , File No. 130766, App. 11/27/2013, Eff. 12/27/2013; amended by Ord. 121-25, File No. 250517, App. 7/23/2025, Eff. 8/23/2025)