Chapter 12.08
PARK CODE
Sections:
12.08.030 Signs and structures.
12.08.050 Fireworks and weapons.
12.08.070 Soliciting – Loudspeakers.
12.08.080 Selling – Distributing literature.
12.08.100 Horses and vehicles.
12.08.160 Violation – Penalties.
12.08.010 Title for citation.
This chapter shall constitute the “park code” of the city and may be cited as such. (Ord. 93 § 1, 1966)
12.08.020 Definitions.
The terms used in this chapter, unless clearly contrary to or inconsistent with the context in which used, shall be construed as follows:
A. “Commission” means the park and recreation commission of the city.
B. “Park” means and includes all city parks, public squares, and play and recreation grounds under the jurisdiction of the park and recreation commission. (Ord. 701 § 19, 1997; Ord. 93 § 4, 1966)
12.08.030 Signs and structures.
It is unlawful to place or erect in any park a sign or structure of any kind without a permit issued by the city. (Ord. 1247 § 3, 2022; Ord. 701 § 20, 1997; Ord. 93 § 5, 1966)
12.08.040 Vandalism.
It is unlawful to remove, destroy, mutilate or deface any structure, monument, statue, vase, fountain, wall, fence, railing, vehicle, bench, shrub, tree, fern, plant, flower, lighting system or sprinkling system or other property lawfully in any park. (Ord. 93 § 6, 1966)
12.08.050 Fireworks and weapons.
It is unlawful to shoot, fire or explode any firearm or fireworks, firecracker, torpedo or explosive of any kind or to carry any firearm or to shoot or fire any air gun, bows and arrows, B.B. gun or use any slingshot in any park. (Ord. 93 § 7, 1966)
12.08.060 Wildlife.
It is unlawful in any manner to tease, annoy, disturb, molest, catch, injure or kill or to throw any stone or missile of any kind at or strike with any stick or weapon any animal, bird, fowl or fish, in any park, or to feed any fowl except at areas designated by the city council with the advice of the commission in any park, excluding the actions associated with the city’s accepted wildlife management plan. (Ord. 1040 § 3, 2012; Ord. 701 § 21, 1997; Ord. 93 § 8, 1966)
12.08.070 Soliciting – Loudspeakers.
It is unlawful to take up collections, or to act as or ply the vocation of solicitor, agent, peddler, fakir, mendicant, beggar, strolling musician, organ grinder, exhorter, barker, showman or bootblack, or to operate or use any loudspeaker without a permit in any park. (Ord. 93 § 9, 1966)
12.08.080 Selling – Distributing literature.
It is unlawful to sell refreshments or merchandise, or to distribute literature in any park, without a permit or concession contract issued by the city. (Ord. 1247 § 4, 2022; Ord. 701 § 22, 1997; Ord. 93 § 10, 1966)
12.08.090 Meetings.
It is unlawful to hold, or participate in, any group meeting or assembly in any park, without a permit issued by the city. (Ord. 1247 § 5, 2022; Ord. 701 § 23, 1997; Ord. 93 § 11, 1966)
12.08.100 Horses and vehicles.
It is unlawful to ride or drive any motorcycle, motor vehicle, horse or pony over or through any park or to stand or park any vehicle, except in areas designated by the council with the advice of the commission. (Ord. 701 § 24, 1997; Ord. 93 § 12, 1966)
12.08.110 Camping.
It is unlawful to camp in any park except by permit issued by the city. (Ord. 1247 § 6, 2022; Ord. 701 § 25, 1997; Ord. 93 § 13, 1966)
12.08.120 Littering.
It is unlawful to throw any refuse, litter, broken glass, crockery, nails, shrubbery, trimmings, junk or advertising matter in any park or to deposit any such material therein, except in designated receptacles. (Ord. 93 § 14, 1966)
12.08.130 Fires.
It is unlawful to build any fires in any park except in areas designated by the council with the advice of the commission. (Ord. 701 § 26, 1997; Ord. 93 § 15, 1966)
12.08.140 Alcohol.
No person shall possess any alcohol, as defined in Chapter 66.04 RCW, in any city park area, including unopened beverage containers, except the sale or consumption of beer and wine is permissible when the required license or permit from the state of Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board has been obtained and a park use permit has been obtained from the city that has been conditioned on obtaining the above referenced license or permit from the state. (Ord. 1247 § 1, 2022; Ord. 93 § 16, 1966)
12.08.145 Intoxication.
Being in a city park while in a state of intoxication is prohibited. (Ord. 1247 § 2, 2022)
12.08.150 Park hours.
City parks shall be open and available for use by the public during posted hours only, unless closed for maintenance or repairs. No person, group or organization shall occupy or use any park facilities or property after posted hours or while closed for maintenance or repairs. (Ord. 565 § 2, 1994)
12.08.160 Violation – Penalties.
Violation of the rules and regulations governing operation of park property, as contained in this chapter of this code, shall be a misdemeanor with fines and punishments to be as proscribed in the then existing general penalty provisions of this code imposing fines and penalties for punishment of misdemeanors. Any second violation for the same or similar offense occurring within six months of the first such offense shall be deemed a gross misdemeanor and shall be subject to the general penalty provisions as then prescribed in this code for the punishment of gross misdemeanors. (Ord. 565 § 3, 1994)