The ocean beaches and adjacent waters lying east of the city of Santa Cruz within the jurisdiction of the County of Santa Cruz provide year-round wading, swimming, fishing, surfing, sightseeing and other water sports and recreational activities for members of the general public. The use of personal watercraft within this area creates excessive noise and interferes with the safe use of near-shore ocean waters by other members of the public. The County recognizes the need to regulate the ocean waters adjacent to its beaches to maintain an area free from the hazards and excessive noise of personal watercraft.
(Ord. 4067 § 1, 1990)
As used in this chapter:
(A) 
"Personal watercraft"
means any device under 10 feet in length, propelled by machinery and used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water, including, but not limited to, a Jet Ski, Jet Bike, Jet Sled, Ski Sled, Surf Jet, Wave Jammer, Wave Runner, Wet Bike, motorized surfboard or other similar watercraft.
(B) 
"Special use zone"
means that area lying along the coast from the eastern boundary of the city of Santa Cruz to the Pajaro River, excluding the city of Capitola, from the mean high-tide line extending out 300 yards into the ocean waters of Monterey Bay.
(Ord. 4067 § 1, 1990)
No person shall drive, propel or navigate any personal watercraft within the special use zone, except when launching or landing. This area so restricted is established as a special use zone for other ocean water uses to be free from interference by personal watercraft.
(Ord. 4067 § 1, 1990)
When launching or landing a personal watercraft within the special use zone as permitted by SCCC § 8.26.030, no person shall drive, propel or navigate any personal watercraft at a rate of speed in excess of five nautical miles per hour.
(Ord. 4067 § 1, 1990; Ord. 4086 § 1, 1990)
Launching or landing a personal watercraft from any beach within the special use zone is prohibited. A personal watercraft shall only launch or land within the special use zone at an improved boat launching facility. This requirement shall not apply if a threat of immediate danger to life, limb or property requires an emergency launching or landing.
(Ord. 4067 § 1, 1990; Ord. 4086 § 2, 1990)
Personal watercraft operated by duly authorized and acting agents of the United States Government, of the State, or of other public entities are excluded from the terms of this chapter.
(Ord. 4067 § 1, 1990; Ord. 5304 § 21, 2019)
A violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be an infraction and punishable as provided by this code.
(Ord. 4067 § 1, 1990)