Taft Municipal Code Ch. 13 Use of Parks, Recreation Facilities and Other Public Places

City parks and recreational facilities are established for the use and enjoyment of all persons in the pursuit of recreation, whether active or passive. It is the city’s responsibility to promote the health, peace, safety, welfare and convenience of all persons in regards to their use and enjoyment of any city park, city public transportation, and other city facilities. The city council finds that to give practical effect to this policy and to ensure that all persons may enjoy such parks and facilities, it is necessary to regulate the use of city parks and facilities. (Ord. 810-15, 5-19-2015; amd. Ord. 854-25, 10-21-2025)

The following definitions apply to this chapter:

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE(S): Shall have the meaning set forth in section 23004 of the California Business And Professions Code, as the same presently exists, or as the same may be amended from time to time.

CHIEF OF POLICE: Also means any officer of the city of Taft police department.

FACILITY: A building, owned or used by the city, whether devoted to active or passive recreation, or open for or dedicated to public use within the city of Taft.

PARK: A park, playground, recreation center, tennis courts, swimming facilities, sports field, ball field and/or open space or other area, structure or facility, owned or used by the city and devoted to active or passive recreation, or open for or dedicated to public use within the city of Taft, including, without limitation, those constructed, adapted, or designated as such after adoption of this chapter, and including, but not limited to, that area commonly referred to as "rails to trails" or similar description. (Ord. 810-15, 5-19-2015; amd. Ord. 854-25, 10-21-2025)

No person shall enter, be or remain in any city park or facility unless such person complies with all the regulations and conditions set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 810-15, 5-19-2015; amd. Ord. 854-25, 10-21-2025)

Every person who willfully within any park or facility commits any of the acts set out in this section or violates any other prohibition in this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor which shall be punishable in accordance with title I, chapters 1 and 2 of this code, as now existing or later amended. The prohibited acts include the following:

(A) To hitch, fasten, lead, drive or let loose any animal or fowl of any kind, except in areas which may be designated by the chief of police, provided that this shall not apply to dogs and cats when led by a leash and under full control by its owner or custodian, and shall not apply to those dogs defined under California law as “assistance dogs”.

(B) To ride or drive any skates, skateboard, horse or other animal, or to propel any vehicle, cycle, bicycle, skateboard, skates or automobile, except in areas designated for purposes of vehicle or other travel or otherwise by the chief of police. This provision does not apply to any vehicle being used for authorized city business, nor to any police or other emergency vehicle performing an authorized mission, nor to a vehicle pursuant to written permission of the chief of police. Neither does this provision apply to any electrically driven wheelchair carrying a physically incapacitated person.

(C) To enter, remain, stay or loiter between the hours of nine o’clock (9:00) P.M. and six o’clock (6:00) A.M. the following day without permission from the chief of police or except as a participant in an activity permitted by the chief of police. This provision does not apply to cyclists or pedestrians within the park known as “rails to trails” who are in transit during the time between one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise the following day.

(D) To light or maintain any fire or to cook, prepare, serve or eat any meal other than in an area which is provided for that purpose and designated as such by posted notice.

(E) To possess, carry or discharge any firearms, firecrackers, rockets, explosives or any other fireworks, air gun, bow and arrow, slingshot or any similar device or weapon; nor shall any person carry into or use any other object within a park with the intent of disturbing the peace of any person by means of noise or otherwise. This prohibition shall not apply to the engaging in or traveling to target practice conducted in accordance with appropriate standards of safety at an archery, skeet or target range authorized and provided by the city for such purpose, nor shall this prohibition apply to law enforcement personnel acting within the scope of their official duties. This provision’s prohibition against possessing firearms shall not apply to individuals in possession of a current and properly issued carry concealed weapon (CCW) permit, if such CCW permit was properly issued by a California city police department or California county sheriff’s office. Persons with a current and properly issued CCW permit may not discharge such weapon or weapons within a park even with said CCW permit.

(F) To throw, project or propel or drive any missile, model airplane, model car, go-carts or other self-propelled devices and vehicles not covered under the California Vehicle Code, capable of causing personal injury or damage to personal property, except at such places designated therefor by the chief of police.

(G) To drive, hit or putt any golf ball or to use any golf club, except in such areas as may be designated by the chief of police for that purpose.

(H) To cut, break, injure, deface or destroy any tree, shrub, plant, rock, building, cage, pen, monument, sidewalk or paved area, fence, bench or other structure apparatus or property, or pull up, cut, take or remove any shrub, bush, plant or flower, or mark or write upon, paint or deface in any manner any building, monument, bench, sidewalk, paved area or other structure. This prohibition shall not apply to any employee or contractor of the city.

(I) To cut or remove any wood, turf, grass, soil, rock, gravel, sand or fertilizer.

(J) To camp or lodge therein except by permission in writing by the chief of police.

(K) To throw, discard, place or dispose of any garbage or refuse in any place other than in a garbage can or other receptacle maintained for that purpose.

(L) To park any vehicle on any path or grass except at places designed for parking by the chief of police, or to park any vehicle overnight, even in places designed for parking.

(M) To play or bet at or against any game which is played, conducted, dealt or carried on with cards, dice or other devices for money, chips, shells, credit or other representative of value, or maintain or exhibit any gambling table or other instrument of gambling or gaming. This prohibition shall not apply to simulated gambling games or to bingo games when conducted by a nonprofit organization during fundraising events pursuant to a permit or reservation issued by the chief of police pursuant to this code and in compliance with all other applicable law.

(N) To hold any meeting, service, concert, event or exhibition without first obtaining written permission from the chief of police or other city official or department designated by the city manager for the issuance of such written permission.

(O) To engage in any commercial activity including, but not limited to, the selling, offering for sale, advertising for sale or solicitation for future delivery or performance of any goods, wares, merchandise or services, except pursuant to a specific concession or contract granted by the city or a permit therefor, including pursuant to title IV chapter 7 of this code.

(P) To interfere with the use of any scheduled group or activity that has received a permit from the city for use of said park or facility.

(Q) To camp overnight or otherwise set up camping equipment.

(R) To disturb the peace and quiet by:

• 1. Any unduly loud or unusual noise;
• 2. Tooting, blowing or sounding any siren, horn, signal, or noise-making device;
• 3. Any obscene, violent or riotous conduct; or
• 4. The use of obscene language.

(S) To enter, remain in, or be in any park or facility while under the influence of any alcoholic beverage except allowed through a special event permit or narcotic or dangerous drug.

(T) To enter, remain in, or be in a park or facility while in possession of or transporting, purchasing, selling, giving away or consuming any narcotics or dangerous drugs.

(U) To deface, destroy, litter in, or otherwise misuse the restroom facilities located at any park or facility. (Ord. 810-15, 5-19-2015; amd. Ord. 854-25, 10-21-2025)

The chief of police may prohibit or confine to posted areas within a park or facility any activities to the extent necessary so that it will not be detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the general public or damaging to the property of the city. (Ord. 810-15, 5-19-2015)

No person, company, society, organization, gathering or group ("event organizer") of more than twenty five (25) persons shall hold or conduct any picnic, celebration, parade, event, gathering, assembly or meeting in any park within the city without first obtaining a written permit to do so by the city manager; and no person shall attend, take part in or be a participant in any such picnic, celebration, parade, exercise, gathering, assembly or meeting in a park unless the permission has first been obtained. The city manager shall have the right to determine conditions and restrictions upon which such a written permit shall be issued, or may designate a city official or department to do so. Failure by the event organizer or any attendee to follow said conditions and restrictions shall constitute a violation of this section. (Ord. 810-15, 5-19-2015)

(A) The intent of this section is to reasonably regulate the use of parks within the city in such a manner that various groups may enjoy such parks without unduly interfering with or creating conflicts with other groups, and to ensure that if public address systems, amplified instruments or percussion instruments are used within the parks, that they shall be used in such place and manner that they will not unduly interfere with or be an annoyance to other groups or individual people who may be using the parks at the same time or to the surrounding neighborhood.

(B) Public address systems, acoustical instruments and/or electrically amplified instruments are prohibited unless the chief of police or city manager, or other city official or department designated by the city manager, finds the amplification meets the criteria stated in subsection (A) of this section, and the amplification use does not violate the provisions of section 8-5-1 of this code. (Ord. 810-15, 5-19-2015)

The possession (open and closed containers), consumption, sale, transportation or disbursement of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in city parks and facilities unless a permit is obtained and approved in writing by the chief of police pursuant to this section, and in that event only in compliance with the conditions and restrictions of that permit. (Ord. 810-15, 5-19-2015)

All permits are subject to such kinds and coverage of liability insurance and security requirements, alcoholic beverage control license (if applicable) and such other conditions and requirements imposed for the permitted event as found necessary by the chief of police, city manager, or other designated city official or department, to protect the public health, safety and welfare, and in accordance with such rules and regulations as may be adopted to implement the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 810-15, 5-19-2015)

Any person who, in any public park, street, sidewalk, alley, highway, or, at any facility, including presence there for any kind of meeting, assembly, or other public service, or otherwise, at any other public place or in the immediate neighborhood thereof and in view by the public, urinates or defecates, is guilty of a misdemeanor, provided that this section shall not be applicable to the act of urinating or defecating in a proper receptacle in a restroom or bathroom in any enclosed restroom structure. (Ord. 810-15, 5-19-2015; amd. Ord. 854-25, 10-21-2025)

(A) Annoyance. No person shall, with the intent of causing public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, within or near any public transportation vehicle, building, or facility:

• 1. Engage in fighting or violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior;
• 2. Make excessive or unnecessary noise;
• 3. Use abusive, obscene, profane or vulgar language, or make obscene gestures;
• 4. Obstruct the free unimpeded movement of passengers or public transportation vehicles; or

5. Interfere with the duties of any maintenance or facility operations personnel, transportation vehicle operator, fare collector or inspector, or public safety officer, security guard or official.

(B) Failure to Obey Reasonable Requests. No person shall fail to obey a reasonable request or lawful directive of a transportation vehicle operator, public safety officer, or other person in charge or control of a public transportation vehicle or public transportation facility.

(C) Graffiti. No person shall cause graffiti, signs or stickers to be inscribed, applied, or affixed on any public transportation vehicle or facility.

(D) Public Restroom Facilities. No person shall deface, destroy, litter in, or otherwise misuse any public restroom facility provided with the public transportation. (Ord. 854-25, 10-21-2025)

(A) Except as otherwise provided, the chief of police shall have the primary responsibility for the enforcement of this chapter. Each police and law enforcement officer of the city is given permission to enter the public and restricted parts of all parks and public facilities to maintain public order or to prevent, remedy or take other appropriate action with respect to violations of the provisions of this chapter or of other applicable laws or regulations. All violations are prosecutable under title I, chapters 1 through 3, inclusive, of this code, as well as under any other provisions of applicable law, whether or not contained within this code. Parking violations may be enforced via citation and by immediate towing. Vehicles towed shall be released to the rightful owner only upon presentation of proof of ownership and payment in full of all citations and towing and impound fees.

(B) The city is authorized to take such actions as may be required for enforcement of this chapter. The city may enforce any violation of this chapter by any and all means available by law, including, but not limited to, civil enforcement through such means as a restraining order and nuisance abatement action for relief such as preliminary or permanent injunctions, criminal enforcement, and administrative enforcement. These remedies are intended to be cumulative and may be used in conjunction with or in lieu of each other remedy.

(C) Any violation of this chapter shall constitute a public nuisance subject to all enforcement, including, abatement procedures authorized to the city by this code and other applicable laws. (Ord. 810-15, 5-19-2015; amd. Ord. 854-25, 10-21-2025)