The purpose of this chapter is to provide for regulations related to parks and recreation areas within the city to provide enjoyment to the public while protecting the public health, safety and welfare, the aesthetic appearance of the city, and simultaneously preserving the constitutional interests of transient individuals under state and federal laws. City-owned property should be readily accessible and available to residents, employees, and the public at large. The use of these areas for camping purposes or storage of personal property interferes with the rights of others to use the areas for their intended purposes and is deleterious to public peace, health, safety, and welfare. The use of these areas for camping obstructs the intended uses for the public at large, employees and citizens, contributes to blight, and can cause damage to public property. This chapter is intended to avoid unsafe and potentially disorderly conditions, unsanitary and unhealthful conditions, and the degradation or destruction of public property.
(Ord. 009-2022 § 2)
A. 
Fee. Fees for each launching of a boat or other watercraft at the city-owned launching ramp located adjacent to the Rio Vista City Hall at One Main Street shall be established by resolution of the city council, and may be amended from time to time, as deemed appropriate by the city council.
B. 
Exemptions. Boats or other watercraft owned or operated by the United States government, the state of California, or Solano County, California shall be exempt from payment of the launching fee.
C. 
Collection. The finance department of the city shall be responsible for implementing this section and for establishing the method of collection of the fees.
D. 
Penalty. Each launching of a boat or other watercraft at the city-owned launching ramp without payment of the required launching fee shall be considered an infraction. Each infraction described in this section shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $50.
(Prior code §§ 16-24—16-28; Ord. 617 § 1, 2006; Ord. 009-2022 § 2)
It is unlawful for any person to swim, jump or dive into the Sacramento River from any point or points on, above, or attached to property owned or leased by the city, including, but not specifically limited to, any and all city docks, launching ramps, sea walls, river banks, beaches and any other type of property or facility bordering on or adjacent to the Sacramento River. The penalty for violating this section shall be a fine of not to exceed $100.
(Prior code § 16-29; Ord. 009-2022 § 2)
A. 
Subject to the exceptions set forth in subsection B of this section, the presence of any person in any city park or recreation area at any time during the hours of darkness is prohibited.
B. 
Exceptions.
1. 
Persons lawfully fishing at the park known as the "fishing access" located south of the Rio Vista Bridge between Front Street and the Sacramento River are excepted from the prohibition set forth in subsection A of this section.
2. 
Persons lawfully fishing in the park located at City Hall or launching a boat at the facilities located next to City Hall are excepted from the prohibition set forth in subsection A of this section.
3. 
Special arrangements for use of city park or recreational areas during the hours of darkness have been made through the office of the city clerk and/or a special event permit has been granted.
(Prior code §§ 17-1, 17-2; Ord. 009-2022 § 2; Ord. 013-2025, 5/20/2025)
Except in areas specifically designated and set aside for such activities or as set forth in Chapter 12.20, no person may engage in any of the following activities:
A. 
Camping;
B. 
Drive, chip, or in any manner play or practice golf or hit golf balls;
C. 
Play baseball with any hardballs or softballs, in any city park except Egbert Field and then only in areas of Egbert Field approved for such activities by the director of public works;
D. 
Engage in any activity or operate any device recklessly or negligently so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person.
This section shall not be construed to prohibit playing catch with hardballs or softballs, provided that such activities are not conducted in a manner that violates subsection D of this section.
(Prior code § 17-3; Ord. 594 § 1, 2003; Ord. 012-2016 § 3; Ord. 009-2022 § 2)
A. 
For the purpose of this chapter, "camping" or "camp" is defined as residing in or using parks, recreation areas, parking lots, or other city property for one or more nights for living accommodation purposes, such as sleeping activities or making preparations to sleep (including the laying down of bedding for the purpose of sleeping), or using any tents or storing personal property (including, but not limited to, clothing, sleeping bags, bedrolls, blankets, sheets, luggage, furniture, televisions, backpacks, kitchen utensils, cookware and similar material). These activities constitute camping when it reasonably appears, in light of all the circumstances, that a person is using public property as a living accommodation for one or more nights by camping thereon. "Camping" includes, but is not limited to, utilizing public property and building entrances, alcoves, loading docks, stairs, or other ingress/egress areas to public property. The activities listed in above constitute camping when it reasonably appears, in light of all the circumstances, that the participants, in conducting these activities, are in fact using the area as a living accommodation, regardless of the intent of the participants or the nature of any other activities in which they may be engaging.
B. 
No person shall camp in the parks, except in areas specifically designated by the city council for such activities by resolution.
C. 
The restrictions contained within this chapter are in addition to those restrictions contained within Chapter 12.20. In the event any regulation contained within this chapter conflicts with any other regulation contained within this code, the more stringent regulation shall apply.
(Ord. 012-2016 § 3; Ord. 009-2022 § 2; Ord. 013-2025, 5/20/2025)
A. 
In parks, the storage of construction materials, tools, lumber, paint, tarps, bedding, luggage, pillows, sleeping bags, food, clothing, literature, papers, and all other similar property is prohibited, except where in conjunction with camping in areas specifically designated by the city council for such activities and in accordance with this chapter and Chapter 12.20. For purposes of this chapter, "store" means to put aside or accumulate for use when needed, to put for safekeeping, to place, or to leave in a location for future or long-term use.
B. 
Notwithstanding subsection A above, a person in the parks may have literature, papers, food, clothing, blankets, and a reasonable cover to protect such property, occupying up to three cubic feet of space, as long as such property is attended at all times while in the park (the term "attended" is defined as a person being within three feet of his or her property) and not stored.
(Ord. 012-2016 § 3; Ord. 009-2022 § 2)
A. 
No person shall start or maintain, in any park, any outdoor fire, except in areas and facilities designated and installed for fire use. Fires shall be limited to fires in camp lanterns or barbeques.
B. 
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. A failure to do so may result in criminal penalties.
(Ord. 012-2016 § 3; Ord. 009-2022 § 2)
In addition to the regulations established in Sections 12.16.010 through 12.16.070, the following regulations shall apply to the use of dog parks within the city:
A. 
No owner or handler of a dog shall permit such dog to be without a leash in any park and recreation facility except as provided in this section.
B. 
Each dog owner or handler assumes all liability and risk related to use of the dog park, including all injuries and damages caused by their respective dogs. The city shall not be liable for any injury or damage caused by any dog brought to the dog park.
C. 
Each dog owner or handler may bring up to two dogs each per visit to the dog park.
D. 
For the safety of the people at the dog park, as well as the dogs, it is prohibited to bring the following dogs to the dog park at any time:
1. 
Aggressive Dogs. For purposes of this section, an "aggressive dog" means:
a. 
Any dog which has a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury, or to otherwise endanger the safety of any person or domestic animal or fowl;
b. 
Any dog which engages in, or is found to have been trained to engage in, exhibitions of dog fighting; or
c. 
Any dog at large found to attack, menace, display threatening or aggressive behavior or otherwise threaten or endanger the safety of any person or domestic animal or fowl.
E. 
The following dogs are also prohibited in any public park within the city:
1. 
Dogs younger than four months old.
2. 
Female dogs in heat.
F. 
All users of the dog park must comply with the following rules of conduct in the dog park area:
1. 
All dogs must be on a leash when entering and exiting the dog park area.
2. 
All dogs must wear a collar with identification and current dog license and rabies tags.
3. 
All dogs must be under their owner's or handler's control at all times.
4. 
Dog owners or handlers must keep their dogs in their view at all times. Dogs shall not be left unattended.
5. 
Dog owners or handlers must have visible pet waste disposal materials at all times.
6. 
Dog owners or handlers must pick up and properly dispose their dog's waste in one of the provided trash receptacles.
7. 
Dog owners or handlers must immediately fill in any holes dug by their respective dogs.
8. 
All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult inside the dog park area.
9. 
It is prohibited to smoke in the dog park area.
10. 
It is prohibited to bring dog food or raw hide to the dog park area.
G. 
The violation of any provision of this chapter is punishable by temporary or permanent exclusion from the use of the dog park. In addition, a violation may result in any fines authorized by Section 12.16.100.
(Ord. 005-2018 § 2; Ord. 009-2022 § 2)
In addition to the regulations established in Sections 12.16.010 through 12.16.080, the following regulations shall apply to the use of skateboard parks within the city:
A. 
Each user of the skateboard park must wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. The helmet must be secured to the rider's head with a chin strap. The helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads must be in good condition at all times.
B. 
Only a skateboard and in-line skates may be used at a skateboard park. Other items, such as a bicycle, scooter, wheelchair being used for recreational purposes, or motor vehicle are not permitted to be brought in, or used in, a skateboard park.
C. 
Each user of the skateboard park assumes all liability and risk related to its use, including all injuries and damages caused by its use. The city shall not be liable for any injury or damage resulting from use of the skateboard park.
D. 
The following items are prohibited at the skateboard park:
1. 
Glass containers. Users may only bring aluminum cans and plastic bottles.
2. 
Alcohol, tobacco, or any other drugs.
3. 
Litter.
4. 
Additional obstacles such as ramps and jumps.
E. 
All users of the skateboard park must comply with the following rules of conduct:
1. 
Using abusive, threatening, or obscene language is prohibited.
2. 
Graffiti and tagging are prohibited.
3. 
Excessive noise to the point of disturbing nearby residents is prohibited.
4. 
No person shall, by use of a radio, tape, record, amplifiers, amplifying equipment, microphone or other electronic or mechanical device, produce or allow to be produced a noise level which disturbs a reasonable person's peace and quiet and in no event shall the noise level exceed the noise limits set forth in this code, unless a special event permit is obtained first.
5. 
All trash must be disposed in designated trash receptacles.
F. 
The violation of any provision of this chapter is punishable by temporary or permanent exclusion from the use of the skateboard park. In addition, a violation may result in any fines authorized by Section 12.16.100.
(Ord. 005-2018 § 2; Ord. 009-2022 § 2; Ord. 009-2025, 1/21/2025)
Any person, firm or corporation, whether as principal, agent, employee, or otherwise failing to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $100. This chapter may be enforced through the issuance of administrative citations, as provided by Chapter 1.16 of the code.
(Ord. 012-2016 § 3; Ord. 005-2018 § 3; Ord. 009-2022 § 2)