Conduct in all City parks and greenbelts are subject to all general police regulations for the City of Davis as well as to Chapter 27 of the Davis Municipal Code. Violations are civil infractions that can result in immediate citation with fines and removal from the park or greenbelt. Failure to comply can result in criminal trespass charges.

PARK HOURS

• Recommended Hours - Open ½ hour before sunrise
• Recommended Hours - Close ½ hour after sunset 
• Exceptions may apply - specific parks have areas that close between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m.

ACTIVITY AREAS (27.02.050 and 27.02.100)

• No person shall play or practice golf, Frisbee, baseball, archery, skateboard, roller hockey, soccer, or football in areas designated for other purposes (tennis courts, picnic areas, swimming pools). Archery is not permitted in any park. Golf is only to be practiced at the golf course. (Ord. 1011 § 2; Ord. 1877 § 1)
• No person shall fly model airplanes or operate model boats or model automobiles or model crafts of any kind or description on park facilities except in areas set aside for those specific activities or by authorized permit. (Ord. 1011 § 2; Ord. 1877 § 1)

ADA INFORMATION

• City of Davis strives to create an atmosphere of accessibility for our diverse community.
   

ANIMALS (27.02.010)

• Except for authorized city maintenance, construction, or pest control activities, no person using a park shall hunt,
  molest, kill, tease or throw objects at any living creature. (Ord. 1011 § 2; Ord. 1877 § 1)
• No person shall:
  a. Permit or allow a dog in such person’s charge to enter upon or remain within any park area reserved for children or to enter any sandbox or play apparatus area;
  b. Fail to promptly remove from any park to an appropriate receptacle fecal matter deposited thereon by a dog in said person’s charge;
  c. Bring in, or cause or permit to be brought into any park, any animal other than a dog unless by permit issued and displayed upon request pursuant to Section 27.02.180 of this Code. (Ord. 1011 § 2; Ord. 1056 § 3; Ord. 1877 § 1)

BIKES (27.02.040)

• Vehicular traffic, including bicycles, is prohibited in any park, except on roads intended for the movement of public
  vehicular traffic, or on roads and trails specifically designated for special use.
• All vehicles, including bicycles, shall obey the posted speed limits and all other regulatory signs.
• No person shall leave a bicycle unattended in a place other than a bicycle rack when such is provided and there is a space available. (Ord. 1011 § 2; Ord. 1877 § 1)

CAMPING / OVERNIGHT USE (27.02.160)

• No person shall camp in any park, except in areas as established by the city. Camping is defined as erecting a tent or shelter, or arranging bedding, or both, for the purpose of, or in such a way as will permit remaining overnight.
• This section shall be applicable to camper-type trucks, camp-trailers, and other similar conveyances. (Ord. 1011 §2; Ord. 1877 § 1)

DOGS (27.02.140)

• No person shall:
              a. Permit or allow a dog in such person’s charge to enter upon or remain within any park area reserved for
                  children or to enter any sandbox or play apparatus area;
              b. Fail to promptly remove from any park to an appropriate receptacle fecal matter deposited thereon by a dog in said person’s charge;
              c. Bring in, or cause or permit to be brought into any park, any animal other than a dog unless by permit issued and displayed upon request pursuant to Section 27.02.180 of this Code. (Ord. 1011 § 2; Ord. 1056 § 3; Ord. 1877 § 1)
• Enforcement of the Leash Law and other animal regulations is provided by the Yolo County Animal Control Unit,
  (530) 668-5287.
• Dogs in Davis are required to be licensed. A Yolo County License may be purchased at the Yolo County Animal
  Shelter, 2640 East Gibson Road in Woodland, (530) 668-5287. Locally, new licenses may also be purchased at the Davis Police Department, 2600 Fifth Street, (530) 747-5400. A current rabies certificate is required. Licenses are half price if you show proof of spay or neutering.
• Scoop that Poop! - Pet waste left on the ground is more than smelly and unsightly . . . it pollutes our water and 
  poses a health risk for pets and people, especially children. Make sure to scoop up poop and dispose of it in the
  garbage (in a plastic bag) or flush it down the toilet. 

FIRES (27.02.130)

•  No person using a park shall have brought or have in his or her possession, or set off or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn, any firecrackers, torpedo, rocket, or other fireworks, explosives of inflammable material, or discharge them or throw them into any such area from land or highway adjacent thereto unless allowed by permit. This prohibition includes any substance, compound, mixture, or article that in conjunction with any other substance or compound would be dangerous from any of the foregoing standpoints.
• No person using a park shall enter an area posted as “Closed to the Public,” nor shall any person use any area in violation of posted notices.
• No person using a park shall make or kindle a fire for any purpose unless such a fire is made or kindled in a fire pit and a permit has been obtained therefore, as specified in subsection (d). For the purpose of this subsection, “make or kindle a fire” shall not include the ordinary use of commercial charcoal in a barbecue for the purpose of cooking food. 
• Fire pits. Definition of “Fire Pit.” For purposes of this subsection, “fire pit” means a circular, fixed structure with a shallow hole in the center where fires may be made or kindled, typically surrounded by a circular formation of benches.
  a. Permit Required. No person shall make or kindle a fire for any purpose in a fire pit unless a fire pit permit has first been obtained.
  b. Permit Application. The fire pit permit application shall be submitted to the city police department, and the permit shall be obtained prior to the desired use of a fire pit. A fire pit permit applicant shall also be responsible for obtaining, if required, any other required city permit, including a noise permit or an open container permit. The cost of such fire pit permit shall be established in accordance with the city master fee schedule.
  c. Use By an Adult. No person under the age of eighteen may obtain a fire pit permit or make or kindle a fire in a fire pit.
  d. Regulations. The director of the city community services department shall establish, and modify as needed, regulations regarding the use of fire pits. Such regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the appropriate materials to burn in the fire pit, the extinguishment of fires, containment of the fire to the fire pit, and a requirement for adult supervision.
  e. Signs. The city community services department shall post appropriate signs at or near each fire pit advising the public of the requirement that a permit be obtained prior to the use of a fire pit, the regulations developed by the director of the city community services department, and the potential penalty for a violation.
  f. Violation. Notwithstanding Section 27.02.200, a violation of subsection (d) of this section or the regulations developed by the director of the city community services department shall constitute a misdemeanor. (Ord. 1011 § 2; Ord. 1877 § 1; Ord. 2252 § 2, 2006; Ord. 2390 § 3, 2012)

FIREWORKS (13.02.020 - 13.02.030)

• The manufacture of fireworks and the possession or display of fireworks for sale within the city is prohibited. (Ord. 2303 § 2, 2007)
• The use or discharge of fireworks or substances designed and intended for pyrotechnic display within the city is prohibited; provided, that pyrotechnical displays may be authorized by resolution of the city council when under the control of qualified individuals and the time, place and manner of such display is approved by the chief of the fire department. (Ord. 2303 § 2, 2007)

MOTORIZED VEHICLES (27.02.030)

• No person shall park, permit the parking of, drive or permit to be driven, any motor vehicle, including any motorcycle or any motor-driven bicycle or scooter, upon or across any park owned and maintained by the City unless a permit has been obtained as hereinafter provided and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in such permit. No vehicle shall be driven on or across a park or greenway at a speed in excess of ten miles per hour, unless such park or greenway is otherwise posted. This prohibition shall not be applicable to emergency vehicles.
• The director shall issue permits to drive a vehicle across or upon such parks upon finding, based on such application as the director may from time to time direct, one of the following:
  a. That such person is an employee of the city and uses his or her personal vehicle in the course of performing official duties arising from such employment;
  b. The vehicle shall be used only for the purpose of transporting a person to a facility within the subject park or greenway, which person is, because of physical disability, unable to get to and from such a facility without vehicular assistance;
  c. That such person is transporting equipment or supplies for a program or maintenance within the park or greenway, which equipment or supplies cannot be reasonably carried to the area where the activity is to be conducted.
  • Any permit issued according to this section shall state thereon any and all conditions as to when it may be used, its term of duration, the purpose for which it is issued, and such other conditions as the director may deem reasonably necessary to protect the person and property of others using the park. The permit must indicate parking if it is approved. It is unlawful for any person to park or drive a vehicle in violation of such conditions. The permit must be prominently displayed on the vehicle so that its conditions can be easily observed without entering the vehicle. (Ord. 1011 § 2; Ord. 1877 § 1)

PARK PROPERTY (27.02.010)

• Except for authorized city maintenance, construction, or pest control activities, no person using a park shall wilfully deface, disfigure, injure, or remove any building, structure, equipment, facility, or park property, and/or appurtenances either real or personal

SANITATION (27.02.020)

• No person using a park shall:
  a. Place, by any means, any substance which will or may result in the pollution of waters within park areas;
  b. Dump any refuse or trash, but shall place it in the proper receptacles where such are provided. Where receptacles are not provided, waste shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence, and properly disposed of elsewhere. (Ord. 1011 § 2; Ord. 1877 § 1)

SELLING, ADVERTISING, SOLICITING (27.02.150)

• No person using a park shall:
  a. Sell, or offer for sale, any merchandise, article or thing, or hire, whatsoever, without a permit;
  b. Announce, advertise, or call the public attention in any way to any article or service for sale or hire, without a permit;
  c. Paste, tack, or post any sign, advertisement, or inscription in any park without a permit. (Ord. 1011 § 2; Ord. 1877 § 1)

SKATEBOARDING & SAFTEY GEAR (27.02.060 – 27.02.090)

• No person shall skateboard on the property known as the City Senior Center.
• The City Senior Center is that property generally described as the building and surrounding property and parking lots located at the corner of A Street and Seventh Street.
• This section shall become operative upon the posting of signs at the senior center notifying the public of this skateboarding prohibition. (Ord. 1608 § 1; Ord. 1877 § 1)
• No person shall ride, use, or otherwise operate a skateboard on the public property known as the children’s playground at Central Park, located at Fifth Street and B Street. 
• This section shall become operative upon the posting of signs at the children’s playground notifying the public of this skateboarding prohibition. (Ord. 1693 § 1; Ord. 1877 § 1) 
• No persons shall ride, use, or otherwise operate a skateboard on the public property known as the Central Park, bordered on the north by Fifth Street, the east by C Street, the south by Third Street and the west by B Street. 
• This section shall become operative upon the posting of signs at Central Park notifying the public of this skateboarding prohibition. (Ord. 1730 § 1; Ord. 1877 § 1) 
• No person shall use the skateboard facility at Community Park without wearing a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads. In-line skaters must also wear wrist braces. 
• Signs shall be posted at the facility and shall state:
  All persons using this skateboard facility must wear a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads. In-line skaters must also wear wrist braces. Violators of these rules will be cited. (Davis Municipal Code Section 27.02.090)    (Ord. 1630 § 1; Ord. 1877 § 1)

SLACKLINING

• Slacklining is defined as an activity in which the participant walks on a span of nylon climbing or slackline webbing, positioned horizontally above the ground and anchored at two fixed points. The practice as defined, and commonly known, as slacklining and all associated equipment are regulated by this document for property controlled or maintained by the City of Davis. As part of the 12-month pilot program (beginning in January 2014), slacklining is restricted to three designated areas in Covell and Oak Grove Parks only.
• Participants and spectators take full responsibility for following the slacklining guidelines and best safety practices within this activity. Slackliners and their spectators assume any and all risks associated with this activity including, but not limited to, death paralysis and serious injury. Spotters are strongly encouraged. 
• Slacklining is allowed during daylight hours only and should not be used in early twilight or dusk hours. 
• All slacklines are temporary and may not be left unattended. Lines should be easily visible to the public with bright colors and require colored markers (i.e. flagging and/or cones) 
• The owner of the slacklining equipment is responsible for setting up and taking down the equipment by sunset each day and may not leave equipment unattended. Unattended slacklining equipment will be removed. 
• All equipment associated with the practice of slacklining must be maintained in an operable and safe condition. This is the sole responsibility of the participants. 
• Lines only may be affixed to designated trees that are greater than one foot (1’) in diameter and are 54 inches above grade. Appropriate tree protection is also required between the tree and the entire anchor line at the tie-off point, in the following manner:
  a. To protect tree bark, fabric, such as burlap, carpet squares, or similar material, must be placed between the tree and the line that is tied to the tree. The tree protection must be of sufficient thickness to protect the tree from wear damage and must be at least 10” wide so that the entire anchor is protected.
  b. Tree protection must wrap all the way around the tree, and strapping material used for anchoring must be at least 1” wide.
  c. There must be a clear and flat landing surface under the full length of the slackline, and must have an 8 feet clearance on both sides of the apparatus.
  d. Trees and/or landscaped areas showing damage from slacklining may be restricted from future slacklining use at the discretion of the Parks or Urban Forest Managers or their designees
• The slackline may not be higher than four feet (4’) off the ground at the center of the span. 
• Slacklines may not exceed 200 feet in length. 
• City of Davis employees may direct equipment that appears to be unsafe or improperly set up to be removed. 
• Lines may only be attached to approved trees as noted above, and may not be affixed to any other park fixture, including but not limited to, buildings, benches, bike racks, handrails, art objects, fencing, playground equipment, signage, tables, utility poles or light poles. 
• Parks and Urban Forest Managers will provide a 4-month, 8-month, and 1-year review of the pilot program and report findings to the Recreation and Park Commission. Park and Urban Forest staff will periodically monitor day-to-day compliance with rules. 
• Parks and Urban Forest officials have the authority to stop any slacklining activities and to request immediate removal of all equipment. 
• Slacklines may not be affixed to or immediately adjacent to sidewalks, buildings, roads, streets, trails, sport courts, bike racks, handrails, art objects, fences, playground structures or light poles. 
• Memorial trees or other trees posted by sign may not be used as slackline anchors. 
• Activities such as stunts or tricks involving flips are prohibited. 
• No branches shall be cut, pruned, sprayed, braced, broken, or screws or nails used in the tree. Such damage is unlawful under Municipal Code Section 37.02.040 Prohibited Acts (Tree Planting, Preservation and Protection). 
• Participants may not be under the influence of drugs or alcoholic beverages.

SMOKING (34.01 – 34.06)

• Smoking shall be prohibited in the following public places and other public places similarly situated, including, but not limited to, the following areas:
  
  a. All enclosed areas available to and customarily used by the general public and all areas of business establishments generally accessible to the public, including, but not limited to, the public area of retail stores, banks, and other offices;
  b. Elevators, escalators, and stairways;
  c. Public restrooms;
  d. Service lines;
  e. Buses and other means of public transit directly provided by or provided under contract to the city;
  f. All reception and waiting areas;
  g. Galleries, libraries and museums;
  h. Within any facility which is primarily used for, or designed for the primary purpose of exhibiting any motion picture, stage drama, lecture, musical recital or other similar performance, except when smoking is part of a stage production;
  i. Sports arenas and convention halls;
  j. Video arcades, bingo parlors, card rooms, game rooms, pool halls, dancehalls, and other amusement centers;
  k. Child day care facilities as defined in the California Health and Safety Code and private residences while used as a family day care home;
  l. Rooms, chambers, or other enclosed areas where a meeting is being held which is or can be attended by the general public;
  m. Retail food marketing establishments, including grocery stores and supermarkets;
  n. Restaurants including those in private clubs;
  o. Restaurant-bar combinations including those in private clubs;
  p. Bars including those in private clubs;
  q. Theater-bar combinations;
  r. Laundromats;
  s. Beauty shop and barbershops;
  t. Common areas in apartment buildings, condominiums, retirement facilities, and nursing homes;
  u. Malls;
  v. Polling places;
  w. Enclosed areas which share the air space, including, but not limited to, air conditioning, heating, or other ventilation systems, entries, doorways, hallways, and stairways, with other enclosed areas in which smoking is prohibited;
  x. Smoking shall be prohibited in the following outdoor areas, and smoking, except while passing on the way to another destination, shall be prohibited within twenty feet of or close enough to the following areas for smoke to travel into an area or building, where smoking is prohibited, whichever is greater;
  1. Public events including, but not limited to, sports events, entertainment, speaking performances, ceremonies, pageants and fairs,
  2. Seating provided by eating establishments and bars,
  3. Entrances and exits to enclosed public areas,
  4. Within the entryway of any enclosed public area,
  5. Stairways,
  6. Within courtyards and other areas where air circulation may be impeded by architectural, landscaping or other barriers,
  7. Areas not open to the sky,
  8. Any place where people are using or waiting for a service, entry, or a transaction, including, but not limited to, ATMs, bank teller windows, telephones, ticket lines, bus stops and cab stands,
  9. Any place where food and/or drink is offered for sale,
  10. Children’s play areas,
  11. Public gardens,
  12. Open windows of any enclosed public area,
  13. Public parks and greenbelts
  14. Any other area owned or used by the City which is dedicated to passive or active recreation, as posted,
  15. The area in downtown Davis known as “E Street Plaza,” which is bordered to the west by E Street, to the south by a City of Davis parking lot, and to the north and west by commercial buildings.
  y. Parking garages. (Ord. 1682 § 2)

TREES (37.01 – 37.07)

• It shall be unlawful for any person other than the director to cut, prune, spray, brace, plant, move, remove, replace or damage any street tree or city tree or to cause the same to be done, except as authorized pursuant to this chapter. Acts prohibited by this chapter include, but are not limited to, the following:
  
  a. Pruning a street tree or a city tree even if done to make room for a private tree or to clear branches overhanging private property;
  b. Knowingly causing or permitting any wire charge with electricity to come into contact with any street tree or city tree;
  c. Placing, applying, attaching or keeping attached any wire, rope, sign, nail, paint or other substance or structure to any street tree or city tree or to any guard or stake intended to protect such tree;
  d. Placing or maintaining any stone, pavement or other substance so that it substantially impedes the free access of water or air to the roots of any street tree;
  e. Cutting so many or so large a root(s) as to cause the street tree or city tree’s health to decline or cause a safety hazard;
  f. Any other activity causing damage as defined in Section 37.01.020 of this Code;
  g. Placing fencing around a street tree;
  h. Grading around the trunk or within the tree protection zone of a street tree or city tree;
  i. Altering the landscaping or grade of the property including trenching, in a manner that could damage, or potentially and adversely affect the well-being of a street tree or city tree. (Ord. 2099 § 1, 2002)