Note: Prior code history: Prior code §§ 7820, 7821 and 7022.
(a) 
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to and be in full force and effect at all park and recreation areas which are now or which may hereafter be under the jurisdiction and control of the city, including all grounds, roadways, avenues, parks, buildings, school facilities when they are in use as recreational facilities, and areas, under the control, management or direction of the director of community services of the city. Said provisions shall also be deemed applicable with respect to all municipal golf course areas insofar as such provisions are not inconsistent with provisions of Chapter 11.32, and in the case of conflict, the latter shall prevail. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the use of all such parks and recreation areas and the observance of such provisions shall be a condition under which the public may use such parks and recreation areas. Certain provisions of this chapter shall further be applicable outside such parks and recreation areas where the context indicates an intention that they be so applied.
(b) 
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any public officer, employee or peace officer who is acting in the course of and within the scope of the public business, nor to any other person conducting public business or related activities for, on behalf of, and pursuant to lawful authority of, an appropriate public entity.
(Ord. 959 § 1, 1974)
(a) 
Power and authority is given to the city manager, in the city manager's discretion, to eject and expel from any park any person who shall violate any of the provisions of Chapter 11.44 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code or any other law, ordinance, or rule that may be in effect now or may hereafter be passed or adopted for the regulation and government of parks or of public areas in general. In addition to the ordinary powers of arrest or citation, any peace officer enforcing any such law or regulation shall be authorized, in lieu of arresting or citing any violator, in such officer's discretion, to so eject and expel such violator.
(b) 
No person being ejected or expelled pursuant to the authority of subsection (a) shall refuse to leave as ordered, nor shall any person who has been so ejected or expelled, return during the calendar day in which such person was ejected and for the two calendar days immediately following thereon, to the same park, unless specifically permitted to do so by the person who ejected him or by the city manager.
(Ord. 959 § 1, 1974; Ord. 1696 § 4, 2006)
(a) 
In an emergency or when the city manager determines that the public safety, or public health, or public morals, or public interest demands such action, any park, square, avenue, grounds or recreation center or any part or portion thereof, may be closed against the public and all persons may be excluded there from until such emergency or other reason upon which such determination of the city manager is based has ceased, and upon the cessation thereof the park, square, avenue, grounds or recreation center or part or portion thereof so closed shall again be reopened to the public by order of the city manager.
(b) 
No person having knowledge of or having been advised of any closure order issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, or where a sign or signs have been posted in accordance with this section, shall refuse or fail immediately to remove himself from the area or place so closed, and no such person shall enter or remain within any such area or place known by him to be so closed, until such area or place has been reopened to the public by order of proper authority.
(c) 
Signs posted as provided in this section shall conform to the following requirements:
(1) 
Each sign shall not be less than eighteen inches by twenty-four inches;
(2) 
Colors of such signs shall be optional;
(3) 
All signs shall be clearly visible to persons in restricted locations;
(4) 
Signs shall have the word "WARNING" not less than two inches in height, and all other lettering shall be at least five-eighths inches in height;
(5) 
Signs shall be posted at main entrances and at the city manager's or their designee's discretion; and
(6) 
The following wording shall appear on each sign:
"WARNING
This Area is closed to the Public by Order of the City Manager. Standing, sitting, lying, or moving on or through this Area is prohibited and punishable as a misdemeanor.
PSMC Section 11.44.030"
(Ord. 959 § 1, 1974; Ord. 1696 § 5, 2006; Ord. 2106, 1/9/2025)
(a) 
No person, where a sign has been posted in accordance with subsection (h), shall hold, conduct, participate in, attend or address any meeting, organized gathering or assemblage, group picnic, celebration, parade, service or exercise, of six or more persons, in any park or recreation area without a written permit granted by the city manager as provided in Section 11.44.040 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code.
(b) 
The city manager (acting personally or by his delegated designee) hereby is empowered to grant permits authorizing any person, society, association or organization to hold or conduct a meeting, organized gathering or assemblage, group picnic, celebration, parade, service or exercise for the observance of or commemoration of any public celebration, event, or demonstration of a patriotic, municipal or memorial character, or for social, educational, training, entertainment or recreational purposes.
(c) 
An application for a permit shall be granted if the issuing authority determines:
(1) 
That the requested activity is consistent and compatible with proper and appropriate park and recreation areas uses at the location applied for;
(2) 
That the requested activity is reasonable and will not interfere with general use of the park or recreation area by other individual or group members of the public;
(3) 
That the requested activity will in all respects comply with the provisions of this code and of any other ordinance, law, rule or regulation in effect at the time and place the activity is to be conducted;
(4) 
That the requested activity is not reasonably anticipated to incite violence, crime or disorderly conduct;
(5) 
That the requested activity will not entail unusual, extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the city; and
(6) 
That no other reason exists why the granting of the permit would be detrimental to the public interest.
(d) 
Except in cases where a fee is paid adequate in amount to fully reimburse the public accounts for all involved costs and expenses including allowance for overhead and capital investment, permits shall not be granted for the purpose of conducting services of any religious denomination or sect, or for the purpose of discussing, expounding, advocating or opposing the principles or creed of any religious denomination or sect. In all other respects, however, applications for such permits shall be considered and processed on an equal basis, subject to the same advantages, qualifications and limitations as other applications by or for other nonreligious organizations, groups or gatherings.
(e) 
In the event it is proposed that an admission fee be charged for attendance at the requested activity, or that contributions will be solicited or a collection taken up at such requested activity, the application for a permit shall expressly state such proposal. No person shall charge any such admission fee or solicit contributions or take up any collection at or for any such activity unless a provision allowing the same to be done is included in a permit issued hereunder.
(f) 
The issuing authority may attach conditions to any such permit which are deemed necessary or appropriate to assure that the activity will be carried on in conformance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, in a manner consistent with proper park and recreation area uses, and in a manner not detrimental to the public interest. Where deemed appropriate, the issuing authority may require suitable insurance, indemnity bond or other guarantee to protect city property from damage, to protect the public from unusual and undue expense, or to protect the city from liability of any kind or character. In this connection there may further be required a money deposit or payment to defray unusual expenses to be incurred by the city, such as costs of additional police services, fire protection services, cleanup services, or other municipal services of whatever nature.
(g) 
Any permit granted pursuant to the provisions of this section shall specify the time when and the place where the activity shall be held or conducted, and shall designate the name of the person, society, association or organization to whom such permit is granted.
(h) 
Signs posted as provided in this section shall conform to the following requirements:
(1) 
Each sign shall not be less than eighteen inches by twenty-four inches;
(2) 
Colors of such signs shall be optional;
(3) 
All signs shall be clearly visible to persons in restricted locations;
(4) 
Signs shall have the word "WARNING" not less than two inches in height, and all other lettering shall be at least five-eighths inches in height;
(5) 
Signs shall be posted at main entrances and at the city manager's or their designee's discretion; and
(6) 
The following wording shall appear on each sign:
"WARNING
Permit Required for Use by Six or More Persons
Violation is a Misdemeanor
PSMC Section 11.44.040"
(Ord. 959 § 1, 1974; Ord. 1696 § 7, 2006; Ord. 2106, 1/9/2025)
(a) 
The city manager shall have power and authority to promulgate rules and regulations governing the use and enjoyment by the public and by individual members of the public, of any park, recreation area, recreation or community center, or any portion thereof, or governing the use and enjoyment of any building, structure, equipment, apparatus or appliances thereon, or governing any portion of the foregoing. A copy of such rules and regulations, or a synopsis thereof shall be posted in some conspicuous place at or near the premises where such rules and regulations are to be effective, or in lieu thereof, signs or notices may be posted at or near said premises in order to give public notice of said rules and regulations.
(b) 
No person having knowledge of or having been advised of any such rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, shall disobey, violate, or fail to comply with, any such rule or regulation.
(c) 
No person shall disobey, violate, or fail to comply with, any instruction, sign or notice posted in any park, recreation area, or community or recreation center, or in any building or structure thereon, for the control, management, or direction of such premises, when said instruction, sign or notice has been posted in implementation of any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
(Ord. 959 § 1, 1974)
Within the limits of any city public park or recreation area, or in any city owned fountain, or in any fountain located in a public place in the city, no person shall:
(1) 
Hitch, fasten, lead, drive or let loose any animal or fowl of any kind;
(2) 
Ride or drive any horse or other animal, or propel any vehicle, cycle or automobile, except at a place especially designated and provided for such purpose;
(3) 
Carry or discharge any firearm, airgun, slingshot or other device designed or intended to discharge, or capable of discharging any dangerous missile, provided that this subsection shall not apply to any peace officer or other person lawfully licensed to carry a concealed weapon or who regularly carries a weapon in connection with private employment protecting property or persons (e.g., private patrol services and bodyguards);
(4) 
Carry or discharge any firecracker, rocket, torpedo or any other fireworks, provided that this subsection shall not be deemed to prohibit the possession or use of safe and sane fireworks not otherwise prohibited by law, at places designated or provided for such purpose;
(5) 
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, paint or deface in any manner, any building, monument, fence, bench or other structure;
(6) 
Cut or remove any wood, turf, grass, soil, rock, sand, gravel, or fertilizer;
(7) 
Swim, bathe, wade in, conduct personal hygiene (such as washing hair or body with or without soap, shampoo or similar personal hygiene products; shaving with or without shaving cream or similar personal hygiene products; oral care including using mouthwash or brushing teeth with or without toothpaste or similar personal hygiene products; cleaning any injury, wound, lesion, gash or abrasion in any manner with or without medical products, cleaning products or similar personal hygiene products; using any medical or other personal hygiene product to rid the body of lice or any disease, infection or growth), or pollute the water of any fountain pond, lake or stream, except at a place especially designated and provided for such purpose;
(8) 
Make or kindle a fire except in a picnic stove, brazier, fire pit, or other appropriate device provided or approved for that purpose by the public authorities;
(9) 
No person starting or maintaining any fire in a park shall leave the area where the fire is located without first completely extinguishing such fire;
(10) 
No person in a park shall conduct or participate in any picnic, or prepare or serve any food, except in an area designated by the city manager for such purpose;
(11) 
Wash dishes, clothing, or garments or empty salt water or other waste liquids elsewhere than in facilities provided for such purposes;
(12) 
Leave garbage, cans, bottles, papers or other refuse elsewhere than in receptacles provided therefor;
(13) 
Play or engage in model airplane flying, driving of golf balls, archery, baseball, softball, football, soccer, volleyball or any similar games of a hazardous nature except at such places as shall be especially set apart for such purposes;
(14) 
Play or bet at or against any game which is played, conducted, dealt or carried on with cards, dice, or other device, 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;
(15) 
Indulge in riotous, offensive, threatening, or indecent conduct, or abusive, threatening, profane, or indecent language;
(16) 
Disturb in any unreasonable manner any picnic, meeting, service, concert, exercise or exhibition;
(17) 
Distribute any commercial handbill (as defined in Section 5.20.020) without a prior permit so to do from the city manager, which permit shall be issued only after due processing of an application pursuant to Chapter 5.20, and then only if the city manager determines that it would be affirmatively in the public interest to allow upon public property the commercial activity involved;
(18) 
Post, place, erect, or leave posted, placed or erected, any commercial or noncommercial bill, handbill, circular, notice, paper, or advertising device or matter of any kind, in or upon any building, structure, pole, wire, or other architectural or natural feature of whatever character, except upon a bulletin board or such place especially designated and provided for such purposes, unless prior approval so to do has been obtained from the city manager, which approval shall be given only if the city manager determines that it would be affirmatively in the public interest to allow the use of public property for such purposes, or that constitutional principles require that the same be allowed;
(19) 
Sell or offer for sale any merchandise, article or thing whatsoever, or practice, carry on, conduct, or solicit for, any trade, occupation, business or profession, unless such activity has been expressly allowed pursuant to specific provisions to such effect contained in either: a permit issued pursuant to Section 11.44.040; a permit issued pursuant to Chapter 5.36; a permit issued pursuant to Chapter 5.48; a concession agreement or franchise or the like duly entered into or granted by the city council;
(20) 
As a general rule, parks shall be open to the public every day of the year between dawn and ten pm. The city manager may, in the city manager's reasonable discretion, extend or limit such hours for any park or a portion of any park. No person shall enter, be, or remain in any park during the time when such park is closed, unless he or she has obtained a permit therefore from the city manager. Park closing hours shall be posted at park entrances;
(21) 
Use any restroom, washroom or dressing facility designated for the opposite sex, except that this subsection shall not apply to children six years of age or younger who are accompanied by an adult or other older person;
(22) 
Row, sail or operate any boat, craft or other device, on or in any pond, lake, stream or water except at such place as is especially designated and provided for use of such boat, craft or device;
(23) 
Hunt, frighten, chase, set snare for, catch, injure or destroy any animal or bird, or destroy, remove or disturb any of the young or eggs of same, or injure or maltreat any domestic or other animal;
(24) 
Fish with hook and line, seine, trap, spear or net, or by any other means, in any pond, lake, stream or water, except at a place especially designated and provided for such purpose.
(25) 
Alcohol Prohibited in City Parks. The possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages within city parks is prohibited except when a permit is issued pursuant to subsection (26) of this section;
(26) 
Permit for Alcohol in City Parks.
(A) 
A permit may be issued by the city manager or the city manager's written designee to allow the possession and/or consumption of alcohol in city parks. A permit may be issued only in conjunction with a contracted rental of a city park pursuant to the terms of Section 11.44.040 of this chapter. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the city shall not be required to obtain such a permit for the consumption of alcohol at any organized group activity which has been planned, sponsored and approved by the city.
(B) 
The city manager or the city manager's written designee may refuse to issue any such permit if the consumption of alcohol in the city park is reasonably anticipated to incite violence, crime or disorderly conduct, or would otherwise be detrimental to the public interest.
(C) 
The city manager or the city manager's written designee may attach conditions to any such permit which are deemed necessary or appropriate to ensure that the consumption of alcohol will be carried on in conformance with applicable laws, rules and regulations, in a manner consistent with proper park and recreation area uses and in a manner not detrimental to the public interest.
(D) 
Any permit granted pursuant to the provisions of this section shall specify the time and place in which the alcohol may be consumed, and shall designate the name of the person, society, association, or organization to whom the permit is granted.
(27) 
No intoxicated person shall enter, be, or remain in any park;
(28) 
No person shall wilfully mark, deface, or injure in any manner, or displace or remove, or tamper with any park property of any kind, including but not limited to any park sign;
(29) 
No person in a park shall operate a device producing amplified sound except pursuant to a permit approved by the city manager;
(30) 
No person in a park shall disobey any sign or notice posted or displayed by or at the direction of the city manager.
(Ord. 959 § 1, 1974; Ord. 1399 § 1, 1991; Ord. 1645 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1696 § 8, 2006)
(a) 
No person shall drive or operate any motor vehicle, motorcycle, motor-driven cycle (as the foregoing are defined in the California Vehicle Code) or any other motorized or self-propelled vehicle or device upon which a person can ride, on, over or along any public property or easement (whether or not on a public park or recreation area) which has been designated, set aside, or is used, as a pedestrian walkway, trail, path, lane or way, or as an equestrian trail, path, lane or way.
(b) 
The public entity having ownership or having ownership or control over any such trail, path, lane, way or walkway may cause the same to be posted with an appropriate sign or signs expressly allowing the use of vehicles or devices otherwise prohibited under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, and to the extent that such signs allow variations from such prohibitions, the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be inapplicable.
(c) 
The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to any electrically-driven wheelchair carrying a crippled or otherwise physically incapacitated person.
(d) 
The public entity having ownership or control over any trail, path, lane, way or walkway mentioned in subsection (a) of this section, may, by the posting of an appropriate sign or signs, further restrict the use of such trail, path, lane, way or walkway by persons riding bicycles or other nonmotorized vehicles or devices, or by equestrians, and when any such sign is posted, no person shall disobey any prohibition, restriction, direction or other regulation expressed thereon.
(Ord. 959 § 1, 1974)
(a) 
No person, after first being warned by a law enforcement officer, or where a sign or signs have been posted in accordance with this section, shall loiter, stand, sit, or lie in or upon any public street, park, or public area so as to hinder, inconvenience, or obstruct the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles thereon; nor shall any person block, obstruct or prevent the free access to the entrance of any building open to the public.
(b) 
Signs posted as provided in this section shall conform to the following requirements:
(1) 
Each sign shall not be less than eighteen inches by twenty-four inches;
(2) 
Colors of such signs shall be optional;
(3) 
All signs shall be clearly visible to persons in restricted locations;
(4) 
Signs shall have the word "WARNING" not less than two inches in height, and all other lettering shall be at least five-eighths inches in height;
(5) 
Signs shall be posted at main entrances and at the city manager's or their designee's discretion; and
(6) 
The following wording shall appear on each sign:
"WARNING
Unreasonable obstruction of pedestrian traffic in this area by persons loitering, standing, sitting, or lying is prohibited and punishable as a misdemeanor.
PSMC Section 11.44.080"
(Ord. 959 § 1, 1974; Ord. 1696 § 9, 2006; Ord. 2106, 1/9/2025)
No parent or guardian, or any person having the custody of any child under the age of eight years, shall cause, permit or allow such child to enter or visit any public park or recreation area having a lake within the boundaries of such park or recreation area unless such child is accompanied by a person of not less than sixteen years of age.
(Ord. 959 § 1, 1974)
Within the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains area, dogs are prohibited on all recreational trails and allowed in designated areas only, as required to comply with provisions of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP) related to protection of Peninsular bighorn sheep. This prohibition does not apply to persons requiring accompaniment by a service animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (e.g. seeing-eye dog), and those using dogs to facilitate search and rescue or law enforcement operations.
(Ord. 2001 § 2, 2019)
(a) 
Definitions. For the purposes of this section and Sections 11.44.120 and 11.44.130, the following definitions shall apply:
"Inline skates"
mean footwear containing four or more axles mounted in a straight line extending generally from or behind the heel of the footwear to or in front of the toe of the footwear with a single wheel attached to each axle.
"Inline skating"
means the use of inline skates.
"Skateboard"
means a board-like object which has two axles attached to the bottom of the board-like object with two wheels attached to each axle and the user rides or stands upon the board-like object.
(b) 
All users of the skate park facility are required to wear appropriate safety gear, including helmets, elbow pads and knee pads, at all times, pursuant to the requirements of California Health and Safety Code Section 115800.
(c) 
The skate park facility is for use by persons using skateboards and inline skates only. All other uses are prohibited.
(d) 
Smoking is not permitted at the skate park facility.
(e) 
All persons using the skate park facility shall do so at their own risk.
(f) 
A violation of any part of the ordinance codified in this section is an infraction and the fine for such violation shall be as follows:
(1) 
For a first offense, the fine shall be twenty dollars;
(2) 
For a second offense, the fine shall be fifty dollars; and
(3) 
For a third or subsequent offense within any twelve-month period, the offender's right to use the skate park facility shall be suspended for a period of not less than six consecutive months.
(Ord. 1749 § 1, 2008)
The director of parks and recreation shall ensure that the skate park facility is posted with signs affording reasonable notice of the following:
(a) 
That any person riding a skateboard in the facility must wear a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads and any person failing to do so will be subject to citation as provided for in Section 11.44.110.
(b) 
That inline skating is deemed to be a hazardous recreational activity and that the city of Palm Springs may not be liable for injuries incurred by persons participating in the hazardous recreational activity in the skate park facility.
(Ord. 1749 § 1, 2008)
(a) 
The director of parks and recreation shall maintain a record of all known or reported injuries incurred by a skate-boarder and/or an inline skater in the skate park facility.
(b) 
Risk management shall maintain a record of all claims, paid and not paid, including any lawsuits and their results, arising from those incidents that were filed against the city. Copies of these records shall be filed annually, no later than January 30th of each year, with the California Judicial Council.
(Ord. 1749 § 1, 2008)