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Town of Riverhead, NY
Suffolk County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[Adopted 10-20-1953 by Ord. No. 18; amended in its entirety 12-17-1974 (Ch. 48, Art. II, of the 1976 Code)]
[Amended 6-5-2012 by L.L. No. 7-2012; 4-5-2016 by L.L. No. 9-2016]
No vehicle shall be allowed to enter upon or park at any public bathing beach, recreation center, park or playground owned, leased, operated or maintained by the Town of Riverhead unless a permit, to the extent required pursuant to § 211-14, has been issued by the Recreation Department.
[Amended 8-16-1977; 2-14-1978; 1-2-1985; 1-7-1986; 5-5-1987; 2-23-1988; 12-29-1989; 10-4-1994; 3-18-1997; 6-17-1997; 9-16-1997; 6-16-1998; 4-2-2002 by L.L. No. 9-2002; 2-7-2006 by L.L. No. 6-2006; 11-7-2007 by L.L. No. 32-2007; 5-4-2010 by L.L. No. 8-2010; 6-5-2012 by L.L. No. 7-2012; 4-5-2016 by L.L. No. 9-2016]
A. 
Vehicles entering any area designated as a beach, public bathing beach, recreation center, park or playground shall enter only at designated entrances and leave only through designated exits. Parking of all vehicles displaying a seasonal parking permit, obtained as hereinafter provided, shall be permitted in the spaces provided at any beach, public bathing beach, recreation center, park or playground. The following parking areas, and such other parking areas designated by resolution of the Town Board, are hereby designated as Town of Riverhead parking-by-permit-only areas:
(1) 
Parking area at South Jamesport Beach, excluding the area designated for use by residents with an East Creek docking permit (East Creek Docking Facility, commonly referred to as "East Creek Marina").
(2) 
Parking area at Iron Pier Beach.
(3) 
Parking area at Reeves Park Beach.
(4) 
Parking areas at Wading River Beach.
(5) 
Parking area at Roanoke Fishing Point (unprotected beach).
(6) 
Parking area at Edwards Avenue Fishing Point (unprotected beach).
(7) 
Parking area at Miamogue Beach.
(8) 
Parking area at Wading River Boat Launch.
(9) 
Parking area at East Creek Boat Launch Facility, located at Peconic Bay Boulevard, South Jamesport (commonly known as "South Jamesport Boat Launch").
(10) 
Two parking areas at Hulse Landing Beach, Wading River (unprotected beach).
(11) 
Parking area at Oakleigh Avenue, Baiting Hollow (unprotected beach).
B. 
Permits. The Recreation Department is hereby authorized to issue seasonal and daily parking permits for use at any public bathing beach, recreation center, park or playground; night fishing permits; docking permits; boat launch permits; and permits for dog parks and other areas designated for, or approved for, dog/animals.
[Amended 6-15-2021 by L.L. No. 5-2021; 8-2-2022 by L.L. No. 13-2022]
(1) 
Seasonal resident parking permit.
(a) 
A seasonal parking permit shall be issued to all persons who are qualified residents of the Town of Riverhead. The Town Board, by resolution, shall determine the period of time a seasonal parking permit shall be valid. Persons applying for a seasonal resident parking permit will be requested to submit for inspection one of the following as proof of residence:
[1] 
A validated tax receipt stub for the current year for any taxable real property within the Town of Riverhead assessed in the name of the applicant.
[2] 
A valid New York State motor vehicle registration license in the name of the applicant and with an address located within the Town of Riverhead.
[3] 
Such other proof of residence as is satisfactory to the Riverhead Recreation Department.
(b) 
Upon approval, a seasonal resident parking permit shall be issued and inscribed with the vehicle license registration number. Such permit shall not be transferred to another vehicle.
(c) 
A seasonal resident parking permit for a motor vehicle shall be permanently affixed and prominently displayed on the vehicle for which it was issued and shall be affixed on the exterior driver's side rear window. If the vehicle has no exterior driver's side rear window, the permit shall be affixed to the left side of the rear bumper. There shall be no exceptions to the location of the permit and failure to affix in the proper location shall be considered a violation as provided herein at § 211-13.
[Amended 9-20-2022 by L.L. No. 16-2022]
(d) 
The Town Board, by resolution, shall establish the fees for a resident seasonal parking permit and senior resident seasonal parking permit.
(2) 
Senior citizen/handicapped seasonal resident identification permit (ID permit). The Recreation Department shall issue identification (ID) permits to senior citizens or handicapped residents who do not drive and need someone else to take them to the beach. These cards will grant access to any vehicle as long as the person is a passenger in the car. The card should be left in plain sight when the people leave the vehicle. In order to obtain access to recreation facilities, the senior citizen or handicapped resident must produce picture ID to the attendant. The Town Board, by resolution, shall establish the fee for a senior citizen/handicapped resident seasonal identification permit.
(3) 
South Jamesport Boat Ramp parking permit. The fee for the issuance of a seasonal parking permit shall be set from time to time by Town Board resolution.
(4) 
Hotel - motel parking permits.
(a) 
Hotel-motel parking permits shall be issued by the Riverhead Recreation Department to the owners or their designated managers of hotels and motels for use by the paying guests residing temporarily therein.
[1] 
For the purposes of this section, "motel" shall include any parcel of land on which two or more dwelling units are situated, which dwelling units are rented or leased by the owner thereof for periods not to exceed two months.
(b) 
Applications for hotel-motel parking permits shall include:
[1] 
The number of rental units available at the applicant's premises.
[2] 
The number of permits applied for.
[3] 
The designated business or trade name, if any, of the premises for which the permits are requested and designating a person or agent who shall be responsible for managing, recording and supervising use of the permits by guests.
(c) 
Upon a determination by the Riverhead Recreation Department that the applicant is entitled to such permits and upon payment of the required permit fee, permits shall be issued; provided, however, that the number of permits shall not exceed the number of rental units available at the premises applied for. Such permits shall be inscribed with the name of the applicant or the designated business name of the applicant's premises and shall be used only by paying guests occupying the premises for which such permits are issued.
(d) 
Hotel-motel permits shall be transferrable and shall be designed and issued in a clear plastic case and designed to be affixed temporarily to the interior driver's side rear window of a hotel-motel guest's vehicle. The owner or manager to whom such permits are issued shall make no charge for the use of such permits by such guests but may require a deposit, not to exceed $35, to ensure the return of a permit.
(e) 
The fee for issuance of a hotel-motel parking permit shall be established annually by Town Board resolution.
C. 
Night fishing permit.
(1) 
The Recreation Department is hereby authorized to issue a resident night fishing permit. Note: this permit is separate and distinct from the fishing club permit issued pursuant to § 211-7. The Town Board, by resolution, shall establish the fee and determine the hours and period of time a permit shall be valid.
(2) 
A resident must have a valid seasonal parking permit to qualify for a resident night fishing permit and possess a valid permit issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation or such agency authorized to issue a New York State fishing permit.
D. 
Dog park permit.
(1) 
The Recreation Department is hereby authorized to issue a dog park permit and permit relating to dogs/animals in other designated public areas. Note: this permit is separate and distinct from dog licensing requirements set forth in other provisions of the Town Code. All owners shall be required to produce proof of a current dog license, rabies vaccine certificate and health certificate. Notwithstanding the above, no permit for dogs/animals shall authorize use of a public bathing beach during hours set forth for public bathing and swimming, unless exception as set forth in § 207-2B(2) applies.
[Amended 5-17-2017 by L.L. No. 8-2017]
(2) 
The Town Board, by resolution, shall establish the fee and determine the hours and period of time a permit shall be valid.
E. 
Boat launch permit.
(1) 
The Recreation Department is hereby authorized to issue a resident, nonresident and commercial boat launch permit for use at the East Creek Boat Launch. Note: Launching and recovery of boats/vessels with a motor vehicle shall be prohibited at Reeves Beach, except as may be deemed necessary, from time to time, by authorized Town of Riverhead personnel, including, but not limited to, lifeguards, police officers or the Bay Constable. In addition, parking of vehicles and/or trailers on the beach at Reeves Beach is prohibited.
(2) 
A resident or nonresident seeking a boat launch permit must be 18 years or older.
[Amended 5-17-2017 by L.L. No. 8-2017]
(3) 
A resident or nonresident seeking a boat launch permit must provide a description of the boat/vessel make, model, year and registration number. The applicant must produce a valid registration for the boat/vessel evidencing that the applicant is the owner of the boat/vessel. A resident or nonresident seeking a boat launch permit for a boat, vessel, or watercraft which does not require registration under state or local law shall complete and file the boat launch owner affidavit with the Recreation Department.
[Amended 5-17-2017 by L.L. No. 8-2017]
(4) 
An individual seeking a commercial boat launch permit must provide his or her name, address of company and a description of the trailer and registration number.
(5) 
All resident and nonresident boat launch permits must be affixed to the boat/vessel and trailer, and commercial boat launch permits must be affixed to the truck and trailer. Note: A commercial boat launch permit shall not entitle the permit holder to park the truck or trailer at the parking area adjacent to the boat launch.
[Amended 5-17-2017 by L.L. No. 8-2017]
(6) 
All residents and nonresidents must possess a seasonal parking permit, daily parking permit or daily boat launch permit (which shall also include a parking permit limited to use of the parking area at the boat launch site and valid only for date of issuance) to park a vehicle and/or trailer at the parking area adjacent to the boat launch.
[Added 5-17-2017 by L.L. No. 8-2017[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also renumbered former Subsection E(6) as Subsection E(7).
(7) 
The Town Board, by resolution, shall establish the fee and determine the hours and period of time a boat launch permit shall be valid.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 211-15, Vehicle restrictions in beach areas, as amended, was repealed 4-5-2016 by L.L. No. 9-2016.
[Amended 6-5-2012 by L.L. No. 7-2012]
No person shall throw, break, cast, lay or deposit bottles, crockery, papers, wrappers, garbage or refuse of any kind or nature on any beach, public bathing beach, recreation center, park, playground or dog park or in or upon any parking area, roadway or footpath, but shall place the same in the containers provided therefor.
[Amended 5-2-1989]
No fire shall be permitted on any public beach without a permit from the Recreation Department other than a fire which is contained in a barbecue grill which is no bigger than two feet by three feet.
[Amended 5-18-1999 by L.L. No. 6-1999]
Swimming and bathing are permitted only in the water area delineated or enclosed by floating lines or markers. No person shall launch, land, moor or operate any boat or vessel in, through or across the swimming and bathing area. No fishing is permitted within 50 feet of any swimming and bathing area.
[Amended 6-18-1981; 5-18-1999 by L.L. No. 6-1999; 6-5-2012 by L.L. No. 7-2012]
A. 
No dogs, domestic animals, or animals shall be allowed on any public bathing beach or recreation center except service dogs, therapy dogs, working dogs or detection dogs as set forth in § 207-2B(2) or by permit of the Recreation Department as set forth in § 211-24 or designated dog park as set forth in § 211-25.
[Amended 4-5-2016 by L.L. No. 9-2016; 5-17-2017 by L.L. No. 8-2017]
B. 
No person shall in any manner damage, deface, injure or destroy any structure, planting, roadway, embankment, building or equipment located on the grounds of any beach, bathing beach, recreation center, park, playground or dog park.
C. 
No person shall be allowed to bring any type of disposable glass container on any beach, public bathing beach, recreation center, park, playground or dog park.
[Amended 6-5-2012 by L.L. No. 7-2012]
The selling, vending or offering for sale of any wares, foodstuffs or merchandise upon the grounds or in and about the facilities of any beach, public bathing beach, recreation center, park, playground or dog park is strictly prohibited, except in such case and instance where the Town Board of the Town of Riverhead has issued a permit therefor.
[Amended 6-16-1998]
A. 
The Town Board, by resolution, shall establish the hours and period of time a public bathing beach, recreation center, park, playground or dog park shall be open. Note: the Town reserves the right to limit or extend the hours for Town-sponsored and/or -approved programs and in cases of emergency.
[Amended 4-5-2016 by L.L. No. 9-2016]
B. 
All parks and recreation centers shall be open only between the hours of sunrise and sunset unless a Town-sanctioned program is in progress.
[Amended 6-5-2012 by L.L. No. 7-2012]
Any person using a beach, public bathing beach, recreation center, park, playground or dog park or any of its facilities shall do so with the understanding that the Town of Riverhead assumes no responsibility for any injury or damage which such person may sustain while so using said facilities or while occupying said beach, recreation center, park, playground or dog park, and that the Town of Riverhead will not be responsible for any article that may be stolen from the premises or any building, structure or vehicle occupying or so using the facilities of said beach, recreation center, park, playground or dog park.
[Amended 5-18-1999 by L.L. No. 6-1999; 7-17-2001 by L.L. No. 11-2001]
A. 
Persons cited on a Town parking summons for a violation of this article, permit parking or parking-related violations shall be subject to a fine of $100 and shall answer and/or appear on or before the designated return date. Persons failing to appear on or before the designated return date shall be subject to the following surcharges in addition to the prescribed fines:
[Amended 2-15-2005 by L.L. No. 3-2005]
(1) 
For failing to answer and/or appear within 30 days of return date: $20.
(2) 
For failing to answer and/or appear within 60 days: an additional $20 in addition to the surcharge imposed in Subsection A(1) above.
(3) 
For failing to answer and/or appear within 90 days of the return date: an additional $20 in addition to the surcharges imposed in Subsection A(1) and (2) above.
B. 
All other non-parking-related violations of this article which are not covered in Subsection A, upon conviction of such violation, shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $250.
[Amended 4-2-2002 by L.L. No. 9-2002]
[Added 6-5-2012 by L.L. No. 7-2012; amended 4-5-2016 by L.L. No. 9-2016]
No person owning or being custodian of any animal shall cause or permit such animal to enter any area designated as public bathing beach, recreation center or facility, park, or playground unless authorized by permit issued by the Recreation Department. Except as set forth in § 211-25, an owner or custodian of any animal who is issued a permit by the Recreation Department as set forth in Chapter 207 granting permission to enter the public bathing beach, recreation center, park or playground with an animal shall be required to keep the animal on a leash and restrained not more than six feet in length from the owner or custodian at all times and shall not permit the animal to defecate or urinate in the vicinity of other persons. If an animal defecates in any public bathing beach, recreation center or facility, park, or playground, the owner shall immediately collect the feces and remove it from the public bathing beach, recreation center or facility, park, or playground.
[Added 6-5-2012 by L.L. No. 7-2012]
A. 
A designated park area where dog owners may be permitted to allow their dog access to such park areas without being kept on a leash.
B. 
The Town of Riverhead Recreation Department is authorized to promulgate written rules and regulations, subject to Town Board approval, for the use of a Town-designated dog park; such rules and regulations shall be posted at the dog park entrance. The failure to comply with such rules and regulations shall be deemed a violation of this article.
C. 
No dog shall be permitted to enter a Town-designated dog park without the owner obtaining the required permit from the Recreation Department.
[Amended 4-5-2016 by L.L. No. 9-2016]
[Added 10-21-2014 by L.L. No. 16-2014]
A. 
In areas designated by resolution of the Town Board as recreation trails, all means of transportation by engine are strictly prohibited except for law enforcement officials of Town representatives supervising the recreation trails.
B. 
Any operator who shall violate any provision of this section, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to a fine of $500.