Chapter 9.56
EQUESTRIAN HELMET REGULATIONS
Sections:
9.56.010 Purpose and Intent
The City Council finds, determines, and declares that this chapter has been enacted to promote safety and regulate lawful activities within defined public areas.
9.56.020 Definitions
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words shall be defined as follows:
(A) “Parent” means any person who is a natural parent, adopting parent, or stepparent of a minor.
(B) “Public place” means all areas within the City where the City of Norco enjoys original jurisdiction to regulate traffic pursuant to the State Uniform Traffic Control Laws; all parks, school sites, or public owned or controlled property; and all equestrian trails throughout the City of Norco. Exception to a public place as it pertains to the ordinance is Ingalls Park under a permitted event as a controlled environment.
(C) “Equine Animal” means a horse, pony, mule, or donkey.
(D) “Street” means a way or place, of whatever nature, open to the use of the public as a matter of right for the purpose of vehicular travel or, in the case of a sidewalk, for pedestrian travel. The term “street” includes the legal right-of-way, including but not limited to the traffic lanes, curbs, sidewalks, whether paved or unpaved, equestrian trails, and any grass plots or other grounds found within the legal right-of-way of a street. The term “street” applies irrespective of what the legal right-of-way is formally named or called, whether alley, avenue, court, road, or otherwise.
9.56.030 Helmet Regulations
An equine animal rider who is under eighteen (18) years of age must wear a helmet that meets the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards (or any other nationally recognized standard for equine helmets) which is properly fitted and fastened securely upon the rider’s head by a strap, when riding in a public area. This requirement applies regardless of whether a rider is controlling the equine animal.
No parent of any person under the age of eighteen (18) years and no guardian of any ward under the age of eighteen (18) years may authorize or knowingly permit any such minor person or ward to violate any of the provisions of this section.
No person may knowingly rent or lease any equine animal to be ridden by a person who is under the age of eighteen (18) years unless the prospective rider possesses a helmet that meets the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards (or any other nationally recognized standard for equine helmets) or the lessor provides a helmet meeting such requirements for the prospective rider to wear.
9.56.040 Enforcement
Any person who violates this section may be issued a citation for a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and is subject to attend a safety seminar. The court may dismiss the charge against an equine animal rider for a first violation of this section of the Code upon proof of purchase of a helmet that complies with section 9.44.30. The court may waive, reduce, or suspend the payment of any fine imposed under this section, and may impose any other conditions on the waiver, reduction, or suspension. If the court finds that a person does not have sufficient funds to pay the fine, the court may require the performance of a specified number of hours of community service.