Open Space Rules and Regulations

San Luis Obispo Municipal Code 12.22.050 - Rules and regulations applicable in city open space lands

open space rules

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The following rules and regulations apply in all open space lands within or under the control of the city of San Luis Obispo, unless expressly stated otherwise elsewhere in this chapter.

A. Resources Protected. All natural and cultural resources (including, but not limited to, all naturally occurring plants and animals, prehistoric and historic artifacts, structures, and remains of structures) within city open space lands are protected, and no person shall collect, gather, or otherwise disturb any natural or cultural resources found therein, except for pruning or removal of materials in conjunction with city-sponsored activities, such as trail construction or maintenance or for collection of specimens for research or educational purposes as permitted in advance by the city.

B. Presence in Open Space Lands Restricted to Certain Hours—No Overnight Usage. Open space lands where public access is permitted shall be open to the public from dawn to dusk. It shall be unlawful to enter or remain within such lands between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise of the following day without approval from the director. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the city may implement a special program at Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve only that allows for extended hours of use until 8:30 p.m., Pacific Standard Time, when daylight saving time is not in effect, in accordance with city council Resolution No. 11287 (2021 Series) adopted on November 19, 2021, or as such resolution may be subsequently amended by the council consistent with the purpose of this section and the environmental review document supporting this provision; provided, that no amendment of such resolution shall expand the number of permits issued, operational hours, location, or scope of the program. All other provisions of the open space regulations contained in this chapter shall remain in effect.

C. Authority to Close. Any section or part of the city’s open space lands may be declared closed to the public by the director at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise), and either entirely or merely to certain uses, as the director finds reasonably necessary.

D. Operation of Vehicles and Bicycles.

1. No person shall drive or otherwise operate a vehicle on city open space lands or upon surfaces other than those maintained for purposes of vehicular travel, except upon temporary parking areas as may be designated from time to time by the director. Vehicles in the service of the city while upon their official duties are exempt. The provisions of the California Vehicle Code are applicable in the city open space lands which is publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. All violations of the Vehicle Code shall be enforced and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions thereof.

2. Use of bicycles on city open space lands is restricted to areas and trails designated for bicycle use.


E. Solicitation Prohibited. No person shall practice, carry on, conduct, or solicit for any occupation, business, or profession in any city open space land, or sell or offer for sale any merchandise, article, or anything whatsoever. This subsection shall not apply to any person acting pursuant to a contract with the city or under an authorization granted by the director.

F. Restrictions Upon Animals in Open Space Lands.

1. No person shall cause, permit, or allow any animal owned or possessed by him or her or any animal in his or her custody or control to be present in open space lands except:

a. Equine animals being led or ridden under reasonable control upon any bridle paths or trails; provided, that they are designated and identified for such purposes;

b. Equine or other animals which are hitched or fastened at a place expressly designated for such purpose;

c. Dogs or cats when led by a cord or chain not more than six feet long;

d. Dogs which have been specially trained and are being used by blind or disabled persons to aid and guide them in their movements;

e. Small pets which are kept on the person of the possessor at all times;

f. In connection with activities authorized in writing by the director;

g. Animals in the open space for grazing purposes pursuant to an agreement approved by the city council.


2. The director may prohibit animals in certain posted areas in city open space lands in the interest of public health, safety, comfort, and welfare, or for purposes of habitat protection.


G. Duty to Care for and Control Animals. It shall be the mandatory duty of all persons owning, possessing, in control of, or otherwise responsible for a dog, a cat, or an equine animal in city open space lands to exercise proper care and control of such animal so as not to molest or menace any other person, domestic animal, wildlife, or livestock in or upon city open space lands.

H. Sound Amplifiers Prohibited.

1. The council enacts this legislation for the sole purpose of securing and promoting the public health, comfort, safety, and welfare of its citizenry, and for the proper stewardship of city open space lands. While recognizing that certain uses of sound amplifying equipment are protected by the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and assembly, the council nevertheless feels obligated to reasonably regulate the use of sound amplifying equipment in order to protect the correlative constitutional rights of the citizens of this community to privacy and freedom from the public nuisance of loud and unnecessary sound.

2. It is unlawful for any person to install, use, and operate within city open space lands a loudspeaker or any sound amplifying equipment for the purposes of giving instructions, directions, talks, addresses, and lectures, or of transmitting music to any persons or assemblages of persons in city open space lands, except by authorized law enforcement, fire department, or park and recreational personnel for public safety or other informational purposes.


I. Possession or Consumption of Alcohol Unlawful. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or consume any alcoholic beverage in city open space lands.

J. Non-Electric Power Boats Prohibited on Laguna Lake. Any boat containing any source of power other than sails or oars, or more than one electric motor, is prohibited from operating on the lake located in the southwesterly portion of the city, adjacent to Madonna Road, Los Osos Valley Road, and Foothill Boulevard, known as Laguna Lake. This section shall not apply to any boats authorized by the council for patrol or maintenance purposes.

K. Skating and Use of Skating Equipment Prohibited in City Open Space Lands. Use of skateboards, rollerblades, or roller skates in city open space lands is prohibited.

L. Litter and Trash. Litter shall be disposed of properly. Disposal of trash or litter within or upon city open space lands is prohibited.

M. Weapons, Paintballs, Fireworks and Fires Prohibited. Possession or discharge of weapons, firearms, paintballs, fireworks, or the building of fires is prohibited on city open space lands.

N. Climbing Only in Designated Areas and Routes—Waiver Required—Installation of New Bolts Prohibited without Authorization—Advisory Committee.

1. Rock-climbing is permitted only within specific designated areas on city open space lands. Said areas shall be identified by the director, who may also make reasonable rules concerning such use, including but not limited to requirements for waivers of liability as a condition of permission for such use.

2. No person shall set or install climbing bolts in any designated climbing area without the written approval of the director.

3. The director shall appoint a committee of persons interested in climbing to advise him or her on matters affecting designated climbing areas, including but not limited to reviewing requests for new climbing routes, inspections of climbing areas, climbing bolts installed therein, or other matters pertaining to the operation and maintenance of the area.


O. Parasailing Permitted Only in Designated Areas and with Authorization—New Areas Prohibited without Authorization—Advisory Committee.

1. Parasailing is permitted only within specific designated areas on city open space lands. Said areas shall be identified by the director, who may also make reasonable rules concerning such use, including but not limited to requirements for waivers of liability, proof of insurance, and membership in the United States Hang Gliding Association as a condition of permission for such use.

2. Participants in parasailing events must wear appropriate head protection, carry a reserve chute, and must pass an on-site ground skills test.

3. The director shall appoint a committee of persons interested in climbing to advise him or her on matters affecting parasailing or other matters pertaining to the operation and maintenance of the area.


P. Travel Generally Restricted to Designated Trails—No Trail Construction without Authorization. Travel in city open space lands is generally restricted to trails designated for such travel, and off-trail travel is prohibited in places where it is unsafe to so travel, or where such travel can result in erosion problems or resource damage. Furthermore, construction of new trails is prohibited except where authorized by the director as part of a trail improvement program for a given open space land. However, city open space lands are open to off-trail travel in areas where it is safe to do so and such travel is not damaging to the environment. (Ord. 1332 § 1 (part), 1998)