Note: As to fireworks generally, see §§ 18.04.140—18.05.160; as to discharge of firearms within city generally, see § 10.12.030. As to animal running at large generally, see Title 9. As to drinking in public generally, see § 10.28.010.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein:
"Camp"
means to establish a site for temporary overnight lodging;
"City park" or "park"
means a park, reservation, playground, recreation center or any other area in the city, owned or used by the city and devoted to active or passive recreation;
"Commission"
refers to the park, arts and recreation commission, as such commission may be renamed from time to time;
"CS department"
refers to the community services department;
"Person"
means any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind;
"Public entity"
includes a city, county, special district and the state of California;
"Recreation leader"
means a person immediately in charge of park area and its activities;
"Vehicle" refers to "motor vehicle"
as such term is defined in California Vehicle Code Section 415.
(Prior code § 20-1; Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993; Ord. O-2021-11 § 2, 2021)
No person shall enter, be, or remain in any city park or facility unless he or she complies with all applicable regulations set forth in this chapter.
(Prior code § 20-2; Ord. O-2021-11 § 2, 2021)
No person shall enter, stay, loiter or remain in any city park between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. of the following day, provided, however, that it shall not be violation of this section for a person to be present in a park while attending a city-sponsored or city-approved event or activity that extends beyond park hours.
(Prior code § 20-3; Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993; Ord. O-2021-11 § 2, 2021)
No person shall camp in any park without first obtaining a permit from the CS department.
(Prior code § 20-4; Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993; Ord. O-2021-11 § 2, 2021)
(a) 
Firearms. No person shall possess any firearm, air gun, slingshot, bow and arrow, crossbow, BB gun, or other regulated or generally prohibited weapon under the California Penal Code, nor shall any person discharge or shoot any firearm, air gun, slingshot, bow and arrow, crossbow, BB gun, or other regulated or generally prohibited weapon under the California Penal Code, within any city park. This restriction does not apply to the display or use of firearms and other weapons as part of a public event approved by the city under a special event permit that specifically authorizes, with appropriate conditions, the display or use of firearms and/or other weapons.
(b) 
Fireworks. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged any fireworks within any city park. As used herein, "fireworks" has the meaning set forth in California Health and Safety Code Section 12511. This provision does not prevent the holding of fireworks exhibitions or displays in city parks as part of a public event approved by the city under a special event permit that specifically authorizes, with appropriate conditions, fireworks exhibitions or displays.
(Prior code § 20-5; Ord. 71-O-124 § 1, 1971; Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993; Ord. O-2021-11 § 2, 2021)
No person shall throw rocks, sticks, bottles, sand or other missiles either within park boundaries or into parks from outside said boundaries.
(Prior code § 20-6)
No person shall make fires in any other places than in stoves or pits provided by the city for that purpose without prior approval from the CS department. The fire department may issue special permits for fires in such places or locations as may be deemed safe or which do not interfere with the public welfare provided prior approval has been granted by the CS department. Except for charcoal lighter fluid, flammable or combustible liquids are prohibited from use. In addition, the Uniform Fire Code as adopted in this municipal code must be adhered to at all times. Fires are to be fully extinguished before vacating fire area. Fires are to be attended by persons over 21 years of age at all times until extinguished.
(Prior code § 20-7; Ord. 71-O-124 § 2, 1971; Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993; Ord. O-2021-11 § 2, 2021)
No person shall, within any city park:
(1) 
Drive any vehicle, bicycle or automobile elsewhere than on the roads or drives provided for such purposes unless written permission is granted by the CS department for loading and unloading equipment, portable booths or other items;
(2) 
Drive or have any truck, wagon, cart or other vehicle carrying goods or employed in carrying goods, merchandise, lumber, machinery, oil, manure, dirt, sand or oil or any article of trade or commerce whatsoever upon any road or drive except with written permission from the CS department;
(3) 
Fail to comply with all applicable provisions of the state motor vehicle traffic laws in regard to equipment and operation of vehicles together with such regulations as set forth in this chapter and this code;
(4) 
Fail to obey all traffic officers and recreation leaders, such persons being authorized and instructed to direct traffic whenever and wherever needed in the parks and on the highways, streets or roads immediately adjacent thereto in accordance with the provisions of these regulations and such supplementary regulations as may be issued by the CS department;
(5) 
Fail to observe all traffic signs indicating speed, direction, caution, stopping or parking, and all others posted for proper control and to safeguard life and property;
(6) 
Ride or drive a vehicle at a rate of speed exceeding 10 miles per hour;
(7) 
Park a vehicle in other than an established or designated parking area, and such uses shall be in accordance with the posted directions thereat and with the instructions of any attendant who may be present;
(8) 
Drive, park and/or allow a vehicle to remain within a city park, including any parking lot therein, during the hours the park is closed to the public pursuant to Section 14.08.030. A vehicle parked in violation of this subsection is subject to citation and/or impoundment. The prohibitions of this subsection shall not apply to vehicles owned by, or providing service pursuant to an agreement with, the city or other public entity or a public utility, and operators thereof, while such vehicle is being used for the official business of that public entity or utility;
(9) 
Leave a vehicle standing or parked at night without lights clearly visible for at least 75 feet from both front and rear on any driveway or road area except legally established parking areas;
(10) 
Ride any other person on a bicycle;
(11) 
Leave a bicycle in a place other than a bicycle rack when such is provided and there is a space available;
(12) 
Leave a bicycle lying on the ground or paving, or set against trees, or in any place or position where other persons may trip over or be injured by them;
(13) 
Ride a bicycle during the period between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise without an attached headlight plainly visible at least 200 feet in front of, and with a red tail light or red reflector plainly visible at least 200 feet from the rear of such bicycle.
(Prior code § 20-8; Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993; Ord. O-2021-11 § 2, 2021)
No person shall, within any city park:
(1) 
Ride or drive any horse or animal;
(2) 
Land or let loose any animal, reptile or fowl of any kind; provided, that this shall not apply to dogs when led by a leash, not more than six feet long, and, provided further, that the CS department may issue permits for temporary exhibitions of animals, fowls or reptiles under such circumstances as, in its judgment, may warrant such a permit;
(3) 
Hitch or fasten any dog or other animal;
(4) 
Permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care of control, any dog to defecate or urinate. The person having custody of any dog shall immediately remove any feces deposited by such dog;
(5) 
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Placentia Municipal Code, no person shall allow or permit any dog, except guide dogs, service dogs or signal dogs, as the same are defined in California Civil Code Section 54.1, as the same may be amended from time to time hereinafter, on, upon or in any designated athletic fields or playgrounds in any city park. The director of public works is authorized to place such signs or announcements of the provisions of this subsection as is deemed practical or necessary.
(Prior code § 20-9; Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993; Ord. O-2011-03 § 2, 2011; Ord. O-2021-11 § 2, 2021)
No person shall:
(1) 
Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, reptile or bird; nor shall he or she remove or have in his or her possession the young of any wild animal, or the egg or nest, or young of any reptile or bird. Exception to the foregoing is made in that snakes known to be deadly poisonous, such as rattlesnakes or other deadly reptiles, may be killed on sight;
(2) 
Give or offer, or attempt to give any animal or bird any tobacco, alcohol or other known noxious substances.
(Prior code § 20-10)
No person shall:
(1) 
Indulge in riotous, dangerous, boisterous, threatening or indecent conduct or abusive, threatening, profane or indecent language in any park in the city or park owned by the city. Nor shall any person or group or persons deliberately annoy or harass any other person or group of persons within park boundaries, nor shall they carry on any activities which, in any way, interfere with the public enjoyment of public facilities;
(2) 
Climb a tree, building, or fence or attach a swing or hammock to any tree, building, or fence, or remove or change the position of any bench, seat, or table, or remove, change, deface, or destroy any sign in any park.
(Prior code § 20-11)
No person shall deposit any paper, fruit, rubbish, debris, broken bottles, or any waste material of any kind anywhere in any park, except in such receptacles as may be provided therefor. If no receptacle is available or if same is filled to capacity, then debris or waste material must be removed from park premises by those responsible for its presence.
(Prior code § 20-13)
No person shall cut, break, injure, deface or disturb any tree, shrub, plant, rock, building cage, pen, monument, fence, bench or other structure, apparatus or property, or pluck, pull up, cut, take or remove any shrub, bush, plant or flower or mark or write upon any building, monument, fence, bench or other structure, or cut or remove any wood, turf, grass, soil, rock, sand or gravel in any park in the city or park owned by the city.
(Prior code § 20-14)
No person shall post, attach, affix or erect any handbill, notice, sign, paper or advertising device or matter anywhere in any city park without first obtaining a permit from the CS department.
(Prior code § 20-15; Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993; Ord. O-2021-11 § 2, 2021)
Public meetings in parks and adjacent to parks shall governed by the following regulations:
(1) 
No person shall hold, conduct, or address any assemblage, meeting or gathering of persons, or make or deliver any public speech, lecture or discourse, or conduct or take part in any public debate or discussion in any public park in the city without a written permit granted by the CS department. The CS department is empowered to grant permits authorizing any person, society, association or organization to hold or conduct an assemblage, meeting or gathering of persons to make or deliver any public speech, lecture or discourse at any such assemblage, meeting or gathering of persons for the purpose of the observance of or in commemoration of the anniversary of the declaration of national independence, or for other public celebrations, events or demonstrations of patriotic, municipal or memorial character.
Any permit granted pursuant to the provisions of this section shall specify the time when and the place where such assemblage, meeting or gathering of persons shall be held or conducted and such speech, lecture or discourse shall be made or delivered and shall designate the name of the person, society, association, or organization to whom such permit is granted;
(2) 
The commission may recommend rules and regulations governing the holding of such assemblages, speeches, lectures, or debates. The CS department may revoke or suspend permits issued for the holding of the same where the permittee violates or permits any infraction of such rules or regulations or any other law or ordinance;
(3) 
No company, society, or organization of more than 25 persons shall hold or conduct any picnic, celebration, parade, service or exercises in any public park without first obtaining written permission from the CS department. No person shall take part in any picnic, celebration, parade, service or exercises held or conducted contrary to the provisions of this section;
(4) 
No person shall hold, conduct, or address any assemblage meeting or gathering of persons, or make or deliver any public speech, lecture, or discourse, or conduct or take part in any public debate or discussion in any public street, highway, road, alley, lane, court, place, trail or drive within 200 feet of any public park, unless under and by authority of a written permit from the CS department;
(5) 
The action of the director of the CS department in regard to the granting or denial of permit, its consent or imposition of rules and regulations shall be final; provided, however, that the applicant may, within seven calendar days of the decision of the director of the CS department appeal to the city council in writing. If there is no appeal to the city council in writing within seven calendar days after the decision of the director of the CS department, then the decision of the director of the CS department shall be conclusively final. The written appeal shall be filed with the city clerk;
In the event that there is such an appeal, the city council shall determine the merits of the appeal at its next regularly scheduled meeting following the filing of the appeal. The decision of the city council in such matter shall be final.
(Prior code § 20-16; Ord. 71-O-124 § 3, 1971; Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993; Ord. O-2021-11 § 2, 2021)
No person shall 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 any other representative of value, or maintain or exhibit any gambling table or other instrument of gambling or gaming.
(Prior code § 20-17)
No person shall:
(1) 
Foul or pollute in any manner any bathing pool, fountain, brook or baths; wade in or wash in any lake, brook, waterway or fountain, or start water flowing from any water supply or spigot, other than at a drinking fountain, wash basin or place specifically provided for drinking and washing purposes. This shall not apply to bathing pools nor to wading pools specifically set aside for such purposes, but the fouling of said pools with excreta of any kind shall subject the offender to the penalty provided for such offense;
(2) 
Foul, throw dirt, sticks, paper, cans, food, rocks or throw any article or thing into any bathing or wading pool, fountain, fish pond, or remove any fish from any lake;
(3) 
If having the custody of any child under the age of eight years, permit or allow such child to enter to visit any public park having a lake, exposed pool or wading pool within the boundaries of said park, unless such child is accompanied by a person of not less than 16 years of age.
(Prior code § 20-18; Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993)
Fishing is allowed only in Tri-City Park Lake. Fishing shall be regulated by the State Department of Fish and Game laws. A fishing license is not required for those under 16 years of age.
(Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993)
No person shall:
(1) 
If over eight years of age, enter a restroom set apart for the use of the opposite sex;
(2) 
Occupy a park restroom for more than 20 minutes per hour or at any time during which such facility has been closed to the public. This provision shall not apply to persons maintaining or repairing park restrooms as an employee or contractor of the city or to the use of a park restroom by a person who is disabled within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act and because of that disability requires longer than 20 minutes to use such facility;
(3) 
Use any park restroom to wash any portion of their body other than their hands, arms, neck and face, unless such restroom is equipped with shower facilities. This provision shall not apply to parents or guardians washing their children under five years of age;
(4) 
Disrobe in any park restroom, except in a designated stall or changing area;
(5) 
Use any place near a tree, in shrubbery or anywhere else in a park as a substitute for the public restrooms.
(Prior code § 20-19; Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993; Ord. O-2021-11 § 2, 2021)
No person shall:
(1) 
Play or engage in any game except at such places that are especially set apart for that purpose, or use any area, court, facility, equipment or apparatus for any purpose other than that for which it is designed and set apart;
(2) 
Take part in or abet the playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled objects such as balls, stones, arrows, javelins or horseshoes except in such areas set apart for such forms of recreation. Nor shall any person pitch, putt or drive golf balls within or into any city park. The playing of rough or comparatively dangerous games such as tackle football, hockey, baseball and quoits is prohibited except on the fields and courts or areas provided therefor. Roller-skating, skateboarding and motocross bike riding shall be confined to those areas specifically designed for such pastimes. Dunk tanks, "moon bouncers," etc., shall not be used without first obtaining a permit from the CS department.
(Prior code § 20-20; Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993; Ord. O-2021-11 § 2, 2021)
No person shall:
(1) 
Picnic or lunch in places other than those designated for that purpose. Recreation leaders shall have the authority to regulate activities in such areas when necessary to prevent congestion. Visitors shall comply with any directions given to achieve this end. Use of city-owned barbeques, grills, or similar cooking devices, together with tables and benches shall follow generally the rule of first-come, first-served unless otherwise posted. Permittees shall have first priority for usage of all picnic facilities;
(2) 
Use any portion of the picnic areas or the buildings or structures therein for any purpose to the exclusion of other persons, nor shall any person use such area and facilities for an unreasonable time if the facilities are crowded, unless a permit has been granted therefor by the CS department;
(3) 
Leave a picnic area before the fire is completely extinguished and before all trash in the nature of boxes, papers, cans, bottles, garbage and other refuse is placed in the disposal receptacles where provided. If no trash receptacles are available, then refuse and trash shall be carried away from the park area by the picnicker to be properly disposed of elsewhere.
(Prior code § 20-22; Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993; Ord. O-2021-11 § 2, 2021)
(a) 
A permit shall be obtained from the CS department for special uses of all buildings and parks.
(b) 
A person seeking issuance of such a permit shall file an application with the CS department no more than six months nor less than 10 working days prior to date of usage.
(c) 
The application shall state:
(1) 
The name and address of the applicant;
(2) 
The name and address of the person, persons, corporation or association sponsoring the activity, if any;
(3) 
The day and hours for which the permit is desired;
(4) 
The park, building or portion thereof for which such permit is desired;
(5) 
An estimate of the anticipated attendance;
(6) 
Request for special equipment set up, etc., if required;
(7) 
The nature of the use;
(8) 
Any other information which the CS department finds reasonably necessary to a fair determination as to whether a permit should be issued.
(d) 
A permittee shall be bound by all park rules and regulations and all applicable municipal code sections as though the same were inserted in the permit.
(e) 
A permittee shall secure necessary permits from the finance department, police department and/or fire department as required.
(Prior code § 20-23; Ord. 71-O-124 § 4, 1971; Ord. 93-O-112 § 1, 1993; Ord. O-2021-11 § 2, 2021)