The purpose of this chapter is: (1) to prohibit skating activities
on sidewalks and streets within the specified downtown area, the specified
Railroad Square area, in shopping centers and within other specified
public property; and (2) to prohibit bicycle riding on sidewalks in
the specified downtown area, the specified Railroad Square area, on
pedestrian walkways in shopping centers and other specified areas
of public property.
The Council finds that skateboarding, use of scooters, and skating-type
activities create a physical hazard to pedestrians and motorists in
congested areas in that these devices can quickly change direction,
often without warning to nearby pedestrians and motorists; that total
operational control of these self-propelled devices is rarely achieved;
that a person operating such a device can become easily hidden behind
pedestrians and motorists, and thus, be unseen to others nearby; that
the noise emanating from the operation of these devices alarms many
pedestrians and motorists, particularly when these devices are located
nearby, but are not immediately apparent; and that such devices are
being used on public property in such a way as to cause damage to
public property.
(Ord. 3249 § 1, 1996; Ord. 3516 § 1, 2001)
(A) No
person shall ride, propel, or in any manner operate a skateboard,
scooter, roller skate, in line skate, or similar self-propelled device
upon any public street, public sidewalk, public alley, or public gutter
located within the specified downtown area or specified Railroad Square
area; or on, along, or over any pedestrian walkway, privately owned
roadway or parking area situated within a shopping center located
anywhere within the City limits; or upon any specified public property
which has a sign posted prohibiting such activity on said specified
public property.
(B) No
person shall ride a bicycle upon any public sidewalk in the specified
downtown area, the specified Railroad Square area or other specified
public property, or on any pedestrian walkway situated within a shopping
center located anywhere within the City limits.
(C) This
prohibition shall not apply to peace officers riding bicycles during
the course and scope of their duties.
(D) This
prohibition shall not apply to scooters operating on public streets,
public alleys, and public gutters for the duration of the Shared Scooter
System Pilot Program approved by City Council Resolution No. RES-2021-232.
(Ord. 3249 § 1, 1996; Ord. 3516 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2022-005 § 1)
(A) The provisions of Section
9-22.020 shall not apply to pedestrian walkways, privately owned roadways, or parking areas that are situated within a shopping center unless the person in charge of said shopping center, has accomplished each of the following:
(1) Posted a sign, as described below, along each exterior entrance to
the shopping center, which is in plain view of pedestrians and motorists.
Additional signs as described below may be posted within the interior
of the shopping center. These signs shall be continually maintained
by the management of the shopping center.
(2) Delivered a written notification to the Chief of Police, not less
than 24 hours prior to posting the signs described above, that invokes
the provisions of this chapter as of a certain date which shall be
specified in the notice.
Each such sign mentioned in subsection (A)(1) of this section
shall state: "Use of Bicycles, Skateboards, Scooters, Roller Skates,
In-Line Skates, or Similar Devices are Prohibited.", and below that:
"Santa Rosa City Code Section 9-22.020." The letters of the prohibition
shall be two inches in height and shall be printed in black with white
background. The citation to the Santa Rosa City Code shall be printed
in black, with letters one inch in height. The sign shall not exceed
280 square inches in area.
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The person in charge of a shopping center may withdraw the center
from the provisions of this chapter by removing the signs required
by this section and notifying the City in writing of such withdrawal.
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(B) The provisions of Section
9-22.020 shall not apply to other specified public property unless the Department Head for the department that has oversight responsibility for said property does each of the following:
(1) Makes a determination that the interests of public safety or the need to protect public property requires that Section
9-22.020 is applicable to said public property or a portion thereof and if any specific hours of application need to be applied; and posts a sign, as described below, upon or along the specified public property at the perimeters of the specified public property and in plain view of pedestrians and motorists. Additional signs as described below may be posted upon or along the public property. These signs shall be continually maintained by the City.
(2) Delivers a written notification to the Chief of Police and the City
Council, not less than 24 hours prior to posting the signs described
above, that invokes the provisions of this chapter as of a certain
date which shall be specified in the notice.
Each such sign mentioned in subsection (A)(1) of this section shall state: "Use of Bicycles, Skateboards, Scooters, Roller Skates, In-Line Skates, or Similar Devices are Prohibited.", and below that: "Santa Rosa City Code Section 9-22.020." The letters of the prohibition shall be two inches in height and shall be printed in black with white background. The citation to the Santa Rosa City Code shall be printed in black, with letters one inch in height. The sign shall not exceed 280 square inches in area. Where a determination is made that this Section 9-22.020 applies to a portion of a public property and/or that Section 9-22.020 applies during specific hours, the sign shall describe the portion of the public property to which Section 9-22.020 applies and/or the hours this chapter is applicable.
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The Department Head may withdraw the specified public property
from the provisions of this chapter by removing the signs required
by this section and notifying the City Manager and Police Chief in
writing of such withdrawal.
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(Ord. 3249 § 1, 1996; Ord. 3516 § 1, 2001)
The following definitions apply to the provisions of this chapter:
"Pedestrian walkway"
means that area of a shopping center which is open to the
general public exclusively for persons who are walking or otherwise
afoot or in wheelchairs.
"Privately owned roadways and parking areas"
means those areas of a shopping center which are open to
the general public for vehicular traffic and parking, and for persons
who are walking or otherwise afoot or in wheelchairs.
"Roller skate" or "in-line skate"
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 in sidewalks, gutters,
streets, or hard surfaces.
"Scooter"
means a platform or footboard mounted between two wheels
controlled by an upright steering handle and which is propelled by
human or motorized power.
"Shopping center"
means the privately owned real property upon which a business/commercial
development is situated, which development is open to the general
public and primarily devoted to retail sales and services from shops
and stores situated therein, although it may also contain some offices
and eating places, as well as other accessory uses compatible with
a retail sales shopping area.
"Sidewalk" and "street"
mean any public sidewalk or street with the specified downtown
area, specified Railroad Square Area or other specified public property.
"Skateboard"
means a mechanism on wheels, often resembling wheels on roller
skates, which are fastened to a platform, commonly constructed to
accommodate a standing person. Skateboards are normally propelled
by the operator pushing off the ground with one foot or by force of
gravity.
"Specified downtown area"
means that area, which is bound on the east by, and includes,
the west sidewalk of E street, between 5th Street and Sonoma Avenue,
and along the east sidewalk of Mendocino Avenue between 7th and 5th
Streets. It is bound on the south by, and includes, the north sidewalk
of Sonoma Avenue between E Street and Santa Rosa Avenue, and along
the south sidewalk of 1st Street between B Street and Santa Rosa Avenue.
It is bound on the west by, and includes, the west sidewalk of B Street
between 7th and Sonoma Avenue. It is bound on the north by, and includes,
the north sidewalk of 5th Street between B Street and Mendocino Avenue,
and along the north sidewalk of 5th Street between Mendocino Avenue
and E Street.
"Specified railroad square area"
means the area bound on the east by, and includes, the east
sidewalk of Davis Street between 5th and 3rd Streets. It is bound
on the south by, and includes, the north sidewalk of 3rd Street, between
Davis Street and the railroad tracks. It is bound on the north by,
and includes, the north sidewalk of 5th Street between Davis Street
and the railroad tracks. The western boundary is the railroad tracks
between 5th and 3rd Streets.
(Ord. 3249 § 1, 1996; Ord. 3516 § 1, 2001; Ord. 2022-005 § 1)