Willits Municipal Code Ch. 10.56 Skateboards, Scooters, Roller Skates and Similar Devices

The purpose of this chapter is to prohibit the operation of skateboards, scooters, rollerskates and similar devices within certain areas of the city and to establish reasonable safety regulations for the operation of those devices by persons within the city. This chapter shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purpose.

(Ord. 88-7 §3(part)).

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

A. "Rollerskate" means a shoe or similar device worn on the foot that has wheels or a cylindrical device affixed to its sole and which would enable the wearer to skate or propel oneself on sidewalks, gutters, streets or hard surfaces.

B. "Scooter" means a platform or footboard mounted between two wheels controlled by an upright steering handle and which is propelled by human power.

C. "Skateboard" means a platform, board or any device on which a person may stand that has wheels, rollers or similar cylindrical devices attached to it for the purpose of allowing a person to ride and propel himself or herself on the board along any sidewalk, gutter, street or hard surface.

(Ord. 88-7 §3(part)).

A. No person shall ride, operate or propel a skateboard, scooter, rollerskate or similar device on any public highway, public roadway, public alley, public sidewalk, public gutter or in any public park, located within the city designated by the city council by resolution.

B. When authorized by resolution of the city council, the chief of police shall cause to be painted a white line stenciled with the words "Skateboards, Scooters and Rollerskates Prohibited" upon the tops of all curbs at the corners of all streets named in the city council resolution prohibiting the riding of skateboards, scooters, rollerskates and similar devices.

(Ord. 88-7 §3(part)).

It is unlawful for any person to operate or ride a skateboard, scooter, rollerskate or similar device upon any public street, bridge, underpass, sidewalk, curb, public park, public pedestrian walkway or publicly owned parking facility within the city limits, in violation of the following restrictions:

A. Such use shall not occur after sunset of one day and before sunrise of the following day unless the user is wearing reflective materials;

B. Persons riding skateboards, scooters or rollerskates on streets shall ride or skate as near to the right side of the street as possible;

C. No person riding a skateboard, scooter or wearing rollerskates shall attach the same or allow himself or herself to be towed by any other vehicle;

D. Persons riding skateboards or scooters or wearing rollerskates shall yield the right-of-way to all motor vehicles and pedestrians;

E. No person shall ride a skateboard or scooter when approaching or upon the crest of a grade or curb in a street where the view of such person is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard from an approaching motor vehicle; and

F. Except as provided for in this chapter, any person riding a skateboard or scooter shall be subject to all the requirements applicable to a rider of a bicycle, as provided in California Vehicle Code Section 21200.

(Ord. 88-7 §3(part)).

No person shall operate, ride or propel any skateboard, scooter, rollerskate or similar device on any posted private off-street parking facility which has been posted in the following manner:

A. At each entrance to the parking facility, a sign shall be posted in a conspicuous place;

B. The sign shall not be less than seventeen by twenty-two inches in size with lettering not less than one inch in size with wording similar to: "USE OF SKATEBOARDS, SCOOTERS, ROLLER SKATES OR SIMILAR DEVICES ARE PROHIBITED. VIOLATIONS OF THIS NOTICE ARE PUNISHABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WILLITS MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 10.56.050. VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED. WILLITS POLICE DEPARTMENT 459-6112"; and

C. The owners of the parking facilities shall submit a letter of authorization to the chief of police or his/her designated representative granting the police department the authority to enforce the regulations of this code within the private parking facility so designated.

(Ord. 88-7 §3(part)).

Violation of this chapter constitutes an infraction. Every person convicted of a violation of this chapter shall be punished upon a first conviction by a fine not exceeding fifty dollars, and for a second conviction within a period of one year by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, and for a third and any subsequent conviction within a period of one year by a fine of not exceeding one hundred fifty dollars.

(Ord. 88-7 §3(part)).

If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this chapter is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the remaining portions of this chapter. The city council declares that it would have passed this chapter and each section, subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more of such provisions be declared unconstitutional or invalid.

(Ord. 88-7 §3(part)).