Click here to skip to main content.
scenic picture from Washington state
SUBJECTS › PLANNING › Sample Provisions Regulating Skateboards
Reviewed 08/08

Sample Provisions Regulating Skateboards

Preface

Many cities regulate the use of skateboards on city streets, sidewalks, and other public property.  The regulation of skateboards has evolved over the years.  When skateboards were first introduced in the mid-1960s, some cities enacted laws prohibiting their use.  More recently, skateboard use has increased, and cities have enacted ordinances prohibiting skateboards in downtown and other heavily traveled areas, and in some cases, set aside areas where skateboard use is allowed.  Some cities have developed skateboard parks to provide locations for skateboarding at the same time that they have restricted the use of skateboards on public streets, sidewalks and/or city parks. Other common provisions of skateboard ordinances include prohibition of negligent operation, parental responsibility stipulations, and requirements to obey traffic regulations.

Articles

  • Washington Cities with Skateboard Parks, prepared by Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington, updated May 2003
  • Washington Laws, 1997 Chapter 26 [Substitute Senate Bill 5254]: An Act limiting liability of landowners for injuries to recreational users [RCW 4.24.210]

City Ordinance Provisions

Library Resources (Paper copies only)

Library Loan Request Form

Articles

  • City of Des Moines Skateboard Park Memos : includes design, costs, and operating rules.
  • City of Kirkland Skate Court: memos sent to city council in process of obtaining approval and funding of skate court. Includes design and injury statistics.
  • City of Mankato, Minnesota, Woodworks Skateboard Park : includes facility information, articles of incorporation, Mankato Skateboarders Association membership agreement, release and waiver of claims.
  • City of Mercer Island Skateboard Facility fact sheets : includes design and rules.
  • City of Moses Lake Skate Park : includes design, equipment and rules.
  • "Municipal Regulation of Skateboards," by Albert J. Wolfe,   New Jersey Municipalities, May 1994.
  • Skate Articles : collection of articles on skateboarding and skate park facilities [includes "We're Going to Build a What? City-Run Skateparks are Not a Recipe for Disaster" by Matt Rankin, "Staying on Track with Skateboarding" by Ken Wormhoudt, and many miscellaneous newspaper articles].
  • Skateboard Areas: City of Yelm memos on their research into skate facilities across the country.
  • Skateboard Facilities: paper issued by Washington Cities Insurance Authority, January 1996.
  • Skate Park design and construction notices.
  • Washington Cities Insurance Authority memos 1988-1996 : includes WCIA opinions [prior to above 1997 legislation] on risk management and loss control in relation to skating and skate facilities with sample injury waivers.
  • "We're going to build a what? City-run skateparks are not a recipe for disaster," by Matt Rankin, Parks & Recreation, July 1997.
  • Ken Wormhoudt, Landscape Architect Memo on design and construction of skate facilities. Includes sample "Skateboard at City Owned Parks and Recreational Facilities ordinance from Santa Cruz," CA, May 1996.

Ordinances

  • Kettle Falls Ordinance No. 1464 (July 1990)
  • Langley Ordinance No. 491 (August 1986)
  • Leavenworth Municipal Code Chapter 10.36
  • Oak Harbor Ordinance No. 775 (March 1987)
  • Port Angeles Ordinance No. 2453 (July 1987)
  • Raymond Municipal Code Chapter 10.64
  • Stanwood Ordinance No. 731 (October 1987)