Santa Clara County Municipal Code Art. 1 Water Recreation

The Director may adopt rules and regulations consistent with applicable laws or regulations governing the public use of Parks, Park Waters, and facilities on or near Park Waters, including but not limited to time-of-day restrictions, speed zones, special use areas, sanitation, pollution, and reporting of accidents.

(Ord. No. NS-702.93, 1-9-18)

(a) All persons using Park Waters shall comply with California boating laws, County ordinances, rules, and regulations and all other applicable local, state, and federal laws.

(b) Prior to the placement of any Vessel or other device to be used on or in any Park Waters, the Director may require the inspection of such Vessel or other device for any reason related to public safety, health, or the environment, including for the presence of pollutants, non-native species, species detrimental to waterways, or other hazards. Notice of such inspection requirements will be conspicuously posted or otherwise provided. No person shall violate such requirements or any applicable laws.

(1) No person shall launch, cause to be launched, permit to pass into, or place where it may pass into Park Waters any Vessel or device that has not been inspected or has failed inspection by qualified personnel so designated by the Director whenever such inspections are required by the Director.

(2) No person shall intentionally, knowingly, or fraudulently attempt to circumvent the Department's Vessel inspection processes or requirements.

(Ord. No. NS-702.93, 1-9-18)

(a) Vessels and other devices are permitted only in those Park Waters designated for such use by the Director.

(b) The maximum speed in all Park Waters where unlimited power boating is allowed shall be 35 miles per hour.

(c) The Director may establish "no wake zones" and other special use areas on Park Waters by signs or buoys; the speed limit shall be five miles per hour.

(d) Vessel travel within Anderson, Calero, and Coyote reservoirs shall circulate in a counter-clockwise direction unless otherwise designated by the Director.

(e) Boating hours shall be 8:00 a.m. to one-half hour before sunset unless otherwise specified by the Director.

(f) No Vessel shall beach on the east shore of privately held lands along Coyote Reservoir.

(g) Vessels may be subject to inspection for seaworthiness and safety gear. The park ranger on duty or any peace officer is authorized to determine the seaworthiness of any Vessel and to require removal from or deny access to the Park Waters if determined to be unsafe.

(h) The park ranger on duty or any peace officer is authorized to declare any Park Waters closed to any or all Vessels by reason of hazardous conditions.

(i) The park ranger on duty or any peace officer is authorized to determine the safe boating capacity of Park Waters and to limit the number of Vessels launched to this capacity.

(j) Vessels in excess of 26 feet in length, or 4,500 pounds in weight, or Vessels requiring special equipment shall not be launched from ramps operated or controlled by the Department except by special permit issued by the Director.

(k) The park ranger on duty or any peace officer is authorized to refuse entry to any Vessel unsuitable for a Park Area, Park Waters, or facility within a Park.

(l) The Director may designate areas for berthing, mooring, or dry storage of Vessels. The Director may establish rules and regulations pertaining to such use. Notice of such rules and regulations will be posted. No Vessel shall be tied, berthed, or stored except in a location specifically designated for such use. No person shall violate such rules or regulations or any applicable laws.

(Ord. No. NS-702.93, 1-9-18)

Swimming, wading, diving, or jumping into a reservoir or other Park Waters is prohibited, except in specifically designated areas at designated times or by Valid Permit with specific conditions allowing such use that has been issued by the Director.

(Ord. No. NS-702.93, 1-9-18)

A "float tube" is a commercially manufactured device considered to be a flotation aide for the sole purpose of fishing. Float tubes are permitted on County reservoirs during normal reservoir hours in non-traffic pattern areas for the sole purpose of fishing as long as the reservoir is open for public use, the device is not otherwise prohibited by law or by the Director, and fishing is authorized in the reservoir. A Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device is required to be on board.

(Ord. No. NS-702.93, 1-9-18)

A Valid Permit issued by the Director is required if Park Waters are to be used by scuba or any other type of underwater divers. The issuance of the Valid Permit may be conditioned upon the diver providing proof of specified insurance or bonds in an amount set by the Director, the Diver first signing of a waiver of liability, the certification of divers, and the observation of protocols and use of equipment relating to the safety of this activity.