Chapter 8.68
PARK REGULATIONS
Sections:
8.68.020 Unauthorized motor vehicles.
8.68.040 Smoking and vaping prohibited.
8.68.070 Structures and signs.
8.68.090 Entering posted areas.
8.68.120 Remaining after closing hours.
8.68.145 Fireworks prohibited.
8.68.160 Selling merchandise prohibited.
8.68.170 Bicycles, scooters, roller skates/roller blades.
8.68.180 No trespass orders authorized.
8.68.190 Interference with employees.
8.68.200 Violations—Penalties.
8.68.020 Unauthorized motor vehicles.
Unless authorized in advance for a permitted park use or special event specifically designated by the city manager or designee, motor vehicles are prohibited in all areas of any city park except for designated parking areas. For purposes of this section, “motor vehicles” is defined as any device with two or more wheels powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor that is capable of propelling the device with or without human propulsion. Examples of motor vehicles include, but are not limited to, motorized foot scooters, mini-motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles. This section shall not apply to any disabled person using a wheelchair conveyance as defined in RCW 46.04.710, or city-owned or approved park maintenance vehicles. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1921-0518 (part), 2018; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012)
8.68.030 Alcoholic beverages.
No person shall possess or consume an alcoholic beverage in any city park except as part of a permitted special event featuring a wine tasting or beer garden. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012)
8.68.040 Smoking and vaping prohibited.
All city parks shall be designated nonsmoking and vaping areas. “Smoking and vaping” is defined as any smoking element that gives off smoke or vape content of any kind. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012)
8.68.050 Hours of use.
Unless authorized in advance with a park use permit or special events permit by the city manager or designee, city parks shall be open from dawn until dusk each day. No person shall enter any city park except during open hours. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1921-0518 (part), 2018; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012)
8.68.060 Reservations.
Groups wishing to reserve park facilities such as ballfields and picnic shelters must make a reservation prior to such use by contacting the parks and recreation department. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1921-0518 (part), 2018; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012)
8.68.070 Structures and signs.
No person, firm or corporation shall place any nontemporary sign, decorations, or structure of any kind, in any park. Temporary signs and decorations must be cleaned up and removed following use. Temporary signs, structures, and decorations must be affixed in such a way that they do not interfere with others’ use of the park, distract drivers, or interfere with traffic, or create a safety hazard. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1921-0518 (part), 2018; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.080)
8.68.080 Property damage.
No person shall cut, injure, deface, remove, or disturb any tree, shrub, plant, building, fence, bench or other structure, apparatus or property in a public park or a public place, or injure, misuse, or remove any device placed to protect such tree, shrub, building, fence, bench, or other structure, apparatus, or property. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1921-0518 (part), 2018; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.090)
8.68.090 Entering posted areas.
No person shall enter upon any portion of lawn or ground within a public park or a public place when notified by a sign placed in such park or public place, or by a police officer, not to enter upon such lawn or ground. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.100)
8.68.100 Littering.
No person shall throw or deposit any refuse, litter, garbage or other waste materials in any park or public place, except in designated receptacles. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.110)
8.68.110 Fires.
No person shall make or kindle any fire in a public park or public place except at places designated for such purpose. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.120)
8.68.120 Remaining after closing hours.
Unless authorized by the city administrator or his or her designee for a permitted park use or special events, no person or motor vehicle shall remain in a public park or public place after the posted closing hours. Any motor vehicle found parked in violation shall be towed away at the owner’s expense and/or cited. Signs shall be posted in parking areas in public places designating such places as tow-away zones in conformance with RCW 46.55.070. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1921-0518 (part), 2018; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.130)
8.68.130 Pet animals.
No owner or custodian of a pet animal shall allow the pet animal to enter any city of Shelton park, whether the animal is on a leash or unleashed. Medically necessary and law enforcement animals are exempt from this provision as well as specifically designated parks or park areas by the city of Shelton. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.140)
8.68.140 Weapons.
No person shall possess any air gun, BB gun, slingshot or any bow and arrow in a public park, or use or discharge any such weapon, or any firearm, in a public park or any other public place, unless otherwise authorized as a part of an organized recreation program of the park and recreation department of the city, or other public agency, a permitted park use, or a special event specifically designated by the city administrator or his or her designee. A violator of this section may be cited into an appropriate court of law and charged with a misdemeanor. Conviction of such misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, imprisonment for a term not to exceed ninety days, or both. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1921-0518 (part), 2018; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.150)
8.68.145 Fireworks prohibited.
No person shall possess, nor allow any minor child under said person’s immediate supervision to use, possess or explode any fireworks in any public park. The term “fireworks” shall include “consumer fireworks” as per the provisions of Chapter 70.77 RCW. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.155)
8.68.150 Molesting animals.
No person shall molest, catch, injure, or kill, or throw any stone or missile of any kind at, or strike with any stick or weapon, any animal or bird in a public park or public place. A violator of this section may be charged with a misdemeanor. Conviction of such misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, imprisonment for a term not to exceed ninety days, or both. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.160)
8.68.160 Selling merchandise prohibited.
Unless authorized in advance for a permitted park use specifically designated by the city administrator or his or her designee, no person shall sell any food, refreshments, goods, services, or merchandise in a public park. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1921-0518 (part), 2018; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.170)
8.68.170 Bicycles, scooters, roller skates/roller blades.
No person shall ride or drive any bicycle, scooter, skateboard, or roller skates/roller blades in any city park in a manner that is negligent or endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.180)
8.68.180 No trespass orders authorized.
A. The police department has the authority to issue and serve no trespass orders for significant or repeated violations of this chapter. The no trespass order shall inform the recipient that he or she is prohibited from entering or remaining on the city property identified in the order, upon the following:
1. Persons responsible for significant or repeated violations of these regulations; or
2. Persons who the department has probable cause to believe have committed a criminal offense on park property.
B. No trespass orders shall be in writing and shall contain the following elements:
1. The signature of the issuing police officer;
2. The date of issuance;
3. The reason for issuance;
4. The duration of the order, not to exceed one year;
5. Identification of the property the recipient is prohibited from entering or remaining on;
6. Language notifying the recipient that violation of the terms of the order shall give rise to criminal prosecution under this chapter; and
7. A description of how to appeal the order pursuant to subsection C of this section.
C. Appeal. The recipient of a no-trespass order may appeal issuance or terms of the order by submitting a written appeal request to the police chief or designee.
1. Upon receipt of a request for appeal, the police chief or designee shall meet with the appellant, receive such evidence as the appellant chooses to present, and review any sworn statement of the issuing officer. If the police chief or designee determines it is more likely than not that the appellant committed the violation that prompted the trespass order, the order shall be affirmed. Upon affirming an order, the police chief or designee may, at his or her discretion, reduce the duration of the no-trespass order for good cause shown.
2. The decision of the police chief or designee shall be final. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.200)
8.68.190 Interference with employees.
No person, firm or corporation shall prevent, delay, or interfere with the employees of the city in the planting, pruning, spraying, or removing of trees, plants or shrubs or other maintenance functions in a public park or a public place. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.210)
8.68.200 Violations—Penalties.
Unless otherwise designated elsewhere in this chapter, violations of any of the provisions of this chapter are class 3 civil infractions under Chapter 7.80 RCW. Repeat violations shall constitute Class 1 civil infractions under Chapter 7.80 RCW. (Ord. 2007-0523 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1854-0714 § 2, 2014: Ord. 1806-0512 § 1 (part), 2012. Formerly 8.68.220)