HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. Jefferson County Code Chapter 12.25 County ParksChapter 12.25
COUNTY PARKS*
Sections:
12.25.010 Purpose.
12.25.020 Definitions.
12.25.030 Scope.
12.25.040 Par k use.
12.25.050 Par k hours and closures.
12.25.060 Camping.
12.25.070 Fishing.
12.25.080 Concessions and vending.
12.25.090 Fire safety.
12.25.100 Sanitation required.
12.25.110 Water contamination.
12.25.120 Illegal deposit of bodily waste.
12.25.130 Noise.
12.25.140 Public address systems.
12.25.150 Firearms and bows and arrows.
12.25.160 Fireworks pr ohibited.
12.25.170 Animals.
12.25.180 Horseback riding.
12.25.190 Motor vehicles.
12.25.200 Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and remotely controlled vehicles.
The Jefferson C ounty Code is current through Ordinance 3-21, passed May 24, 2021.
Jefferson C ounty C ode Chapter 12.25 C OUN TY PAR KS*Page 1 of 10
12.25.210 Metal detecting.
12.25.220 Religious services or group r allies.
12.25.230 Preservation of public proper ty.
12.25.240 Trespass from a park to private pr oper ty is prohibited.
12.25.250 Other prohibited conduct at parks.
12.25.260 Enfor cement.
*Prior legislation: Ords. 3-83, 3-84, 3-93, 13-95 and 14-99.
12.25.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this c hapter is to establish rules and regulations regarding the care, control, supervision, and
operation of all county park lands and their use. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx . A)]
12.25.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words s hall have the meanings as s tated:
(1) “Animal” means any amphibian, bird, nonhuman mammal, or reptile.
(2) “Camper” means a motorized vehicle c ontaining sleeping and/or housek eeping ac commodations , and s hall
include a pickup truck with c amper, a van-type body, a conv erted bus, or any s imilar type vehic le.
(3) “Camping” means erecting a tent or shelter or arranging bedding or both or parking a trailer, camper, or other
vehic le for the purpose of, or in s uch a way as will permit, remaining overnight.
(4) “Camping unit” means the primary means of shelter being utiliz ed for ov ernight c amping; includes a tent, van,
trailer, camper, recreational vehicle, and similar units.
(5) “Campsite” means a designated camping s ite that is designed for overnight use by persons with a c amper,
trailer, tent, or other means to provide sleeping arrangements .
(6) “Caretak er” means a person designated by the Jeffers on County park s department who is responsible for
park maintenance, fee collection, and implementing c ompliance with all park rules and regulations .
(7) “Critic al area” shall hav e the same meaning as in WAC 365-190-030(4).
(8) “Direc tor” means the director of the public work s department or des ignee.
The Jefferson C ounty Code is current through Ordinance 3-21, passed May 24, 2021.
Jefferson C ounty C ode Chapter 12.25 C OUN TY PAR KS*Page 2 of 10
(9) “Domestic animal” means an animal that is normally k ept as a pet, such as a bird, cat, dog or rabbit.
(10) “Horse” means a domesticated equine, bred in a great many varieties , and inc ludes donkey s, miniature
horses , mules , and ponies.
(11) “Motor vehic le” means any s elf-propelled device capable of being moved upon a road, and in, upon, or by
whic h any persons or property may be transported or drawn, and shall inc lude, but not be limited to,
automobiles, truc ks, motorc ycles , motor sc ooters , jeeps , or similar type four-wheel-drive vehic les, and
snowmobiles , whether or not they can legally be operated upon the public highways.
(12) “Park ” means any area under the ownership of Jeffers on County , s tate of Washington, and managed by the
parks and recreation divis ion of the J efferson County department of public works.
(13) “Pers on” means any person, firm, partnership, c orporation, club, and any association, or combination of
persons acting for thems elves or by an agent, s ervant, or employ ee.
(14) “Public health department” means the Jeffers on County department of public health.
(15) “Remotely controlled vehicle or ves sel” means any land or water vehic le, boat or mac hine, no matter the
size, that is operated remotely using radio signals or any other means .
(16) “Serv ic e animal” means any dog or miniature horse that is indiv idually trained to do work or perform tas ks
for the benefit of an individual with a dis ability , inc luding a phys ic al, sens ory, psy chiatric , intellec tual, or other
mental disability, as s pec ified in RCW 49.60.040(25).
(17) “Trail” means any path or trac k designed for use of pedes trians , bicycles , or equestrians; or other right-of-
way s pecific ally designated and posted for nonvehic ular use.
(18) “Trailer” means a towed vehic le that contains sleeping or housekeeping accommodations .
(19) “Unmanned airc raft sys tem” means any remotely c ontrolled airc raft to include drones and radio controlled
aircraft. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx. A)]
12.25.030 Scope.
This chapter shall apply to all county park lands owned and managed by the county . [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx. A)]
12.25.040 Park use.
It shall be unlawful for any person to us e a park for outdoor recreational activities other than those uses which
are posted in a c ons picuous place in the park by the director. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx . A)]
12.25.050 Park hour s and closures.
The Jefferson C ounty Code is current through Ordinance 3-21, passed May 24, 2021.
Jefferson C ounty C ode Chapter 12.25 C OUN TY PAR KS*Page 3 of 10
(1) The director may establish a reas onable s chedule of v isiting hours for a park or portions of a park area. The
director may c lose to public us e any portion of a park area when neces sary for the protection of that area or for
the safety and welfare of pers ons or property . Notification identifying the ex tent and s cope of s uch scheduling or
closure shall be made by the pos ting of appropriate signs .
(2) All persons shall obs erve and abide by any offic ially pos ted signs designating clos ed areas and visiting hours
in park s. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx. A)]
12.25.060 Camping.1
(1) Camping s hall be permitted only in parks des ignated by the director.
(2) Camping and the us e of trailers or other camping units are permitted in parks only at designated loc ations.
Within designated locations , the pitc hing of tents or park ing of trailers or other camping units is permitted only at
designated c ampsites . The number of vehicles occ upying a single camps ite at one time s hall be limited to one
car, one camper, or one vehic le with a trailer.
(3) Temporary occ upanc y of the same c ampsite by the same pers on or pers ons shall be limited to 10 day s.
(4) Permanent occ upanc y by the s ame person, group of persons, or organization of any park, portion of a park ,
or facilities within a park is prohibited, ex c ept by those county employees or caretak ers authoriz ed to s et up
residency within park boundaries by the director.
(5) Fees for the us e of camps ites are due in advance by initially occupying a c ampsite and thereafter are
payable daily. The c ampsite fee c overs exc lusive temporary oc cupancy of the camps ite until the vac ating time
of 3:00 p.m. the following day.
(6) A c ampsite is cons idered occ upied when it is being us ed for the purpose of c amping by a pers on or pers ons
who have paid the camps ite fee within the applic able time limits. No pers ons shall tak e or attempt to tak e
poss ess ion of a camps ite when it is being occ upied by another party or when informed by the c aretaker that
such a campsite is occ upied or otherwise unav ailable.
(7) Occ upants shall vacate campsites by remov ing their personal property therefrom prior to 3:00 p.m. if the
applic able c ampsite fee has not been paid or if the time limit for oc c upancy of the camps ite has expired. The
occupants may , however, remain in other areas of the park for purpos es other than c amping until the normal
closing time of the park . [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx . A)]
12.25.070 Fishing.
(1) All laws, rules and regulations of the Was hington Department of Fish and Wildlife relating to seas on, limits,
and methods of fishing are applic able to fishing for game fish in parks.
(2) All laws, rules , and regulations of the Washington Department of Fis h and Wildlife relating to season, limits,
The Jefferson C ounty Code is current through Ordinance 3-21, passed May 24, 2021.
Jefferson C ounty C ode Chapter 12.25 C OUN TY PAR KS*Page 4 of 10
and methods of taking, are applicable to the taking of shellfish or food fish in parks. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx . A)]
12.25.080 Concessions and vending.
The v ending of various goods , s ervices , produc ts, or c ommodities , inc luding mobile v ending, is permitted on
park lands with the prior written permiss ion of the director. The vending of any suc h goods , s ervices , produc ts,
or commodities without written permission is prohibited. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx. A)]
12.25.090 Fire safety.
(1) During periods when potential fire danger makes s uch action neces sary, the direc tor may prohibit
combus tion of any kind on any park lands, including roads and trails, by the pos ting of appropriate signs.
(2) The k indling of fires is expres sly prohibited in all parks, unles s authorized by subs ection (3) of this sec tion.
(3) The k indling of any fire is permitted only in designated camping and picnic grounds and only if the fire is
confined in a fireplace, or in grills or other s pecified loc ations or in s tov es or lanterns using gas oline, propane,
butane gas , or similar fuels . Howev er, the director may prohibit the k indling of fires in park s to prevent the ris k of
fire.
(4) When no longer needed, all fires in park s s hall be completely extinguis hed. Leaving a fire unattended in a
park is prohibited.
(5) Throwing or dropping a lighted cigarette, c igar, match, or other burning material anywhere in a park is
prohibited. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx. A)]
12.25.100 Sanitation required.
(1) Compliance with the applic able provis ions of Chapter 8.10 J CC (Solid Waste Regulations ) in parks is
required. If there are any incons istencies between this chapter and Chapter 8.10 JCC, then the most stringent
provision s hall control.
(2) Sanitary fac ilities s hall be c onstructed and maintained in a s anitary manner ac c eptable to the public health
department. Where deemed nec ess ary, an approv ed method of sink and s hower waste dis pos al shall be
provided.
(3) No person shall leave, depos it, drop or sc atter bottles , broken glas s, ashes, waste paper, cans , or other
rubbish in a park , except in a garbage c an or other receptacle des ignated for s uch purposes .
(4) No person shall deposit any hous ehold or commerc ial garbage, refuse, was te, or rubbish, which is brought as
such from any private property , in any park garbage can or other receptac le des ignated for s uch purpose.
(5) No person shall drain or dump refus e or waste from any trailer, camper, automobile, or other vehicle in a
park, ex c ept in designated dis pos al areas or receptac les, if provided.
The Jefferson C ounty Code is current through Ordinance 3-21, passed May 24, 2021.
Jefferson C ounty C ode Chapter 12.25 C OUN TY PAR KS*Page 5 of 10
(6) No person shall clean fis h or other food, or was h any c lothing or other artic les for personal or hous ehold use,
or any dog or other animal, or clean or was h any automobile or other vehicle in a park. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx. A)]
12.25.110 Water contamination.
Polluting or contaminating in any manner any waters hed, water supplies, or water used for drinking purposes is
prohibited. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx. A)]
12.25.120 Illegal deposit of bodily waste.
Depositing any bodily waste in or on any portion of any public toilet or other public s tructure, exc ept into fix tures
provided for such purpos es, is prohibited. Placing garbage, rubbish, or foreign materials in any of the plumbing
fixtures of public toilets is prohibited. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx . A)]
12.25.130 Noise.
(1) Compliance with the applic able provis ions of Chapter 8.70 J CC (Noise Control) in park s is required. If there
are any incons istencies between this chapter and Chapter 8.70 J CC (Nois e Control), then the most stringent
provision s hall control.
(2) Pers ons using park s s hall not c reate public nuisanc e noises . [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx . A)]
12.25.140 Public address systems.
The operation or use of a public address s ystem is prohibited, exc ept when such a sys tem is authorized by the
director. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx . A)]
12.25.150 Firearms and bows and arrows.
(1) Park s are no shooting areas in acc ordanc e with RCW 9.41.300(2)(a) and Artic le I of Chapter 8.50 J CC,
because in parks “there is a reas onable likelihood that humans, domes tic animals, or property may be
jeopardiz ed.”
(2) No person shall discharge, set off, or c aus e to be dis c harged, in or into any park area, any firearm or bow
and arrow, except for the lawful us e of a firearm by a law enforc ement offic er in the performance of their duties
or the lawful us e of force by c itizens.
(3) Nothing s hall abridge the right of the indiv idual guaranteed by Artic le I, Section 24 of the State Cons titution to
bear arms in defense of self or others . [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx. A)]
12.25.160 Firewor ks prohibited.
(1) The use or posses sion of fireworks , as defined in RCW 70.77.126, is prohibited for the general public.
(2) Any public dis play of fireworks open to the general public , with or without charge, shall meet the
requirements of the State Fireworks Law pursuant to Chapter 70.77 RCW.
The Jefferson C ounty Code is current through Ordinance 3-21, passed May 24, 2021.
Jefferson C ounty C ode Chapter 12.25 C OUN TY PAR KS*Page 6 of 10
(3) No person shall discharge, set off, or c aus e to be dis c harged, in or into any park , firecrack ers, torpedoes ,
rockets, fireworks , ex plos iv es, or s ubstanc e harmful to the life or safety of persons, property, or wildlife. [Ord. 3-
21 § 1 (Appx . A)]
12.25.170 Animals.
(1) Compliance with the applic able provis ions of Chapter 6.07 J CC (Animal Control) in park s is required. If there
are any incons istencies between this chapter and Chapter 6.07 J CC, then the mos t s tringent provis ion s hall
control.
(2) Domestic animals and hors es may be allowed in parks by the director. No animals besides domestic
animals, hors es, or s erv ice animals are allowed to be brought into the parks.
(3) All domestic animals and serv ic e animals must be kept on a leas h of eight feet or less in length, and under
control of the owner or owner’s designee at all times while in a park . Hors es mus t be in control of the owner by
rope or reins .
(4) Domestic animals and hors es are not permitted on any des ignated swimming beac h in any park ; provided,
that this s ubs ection shall not apply to service animals actively work ing.
(5) No person shall allow their domes tic animal, horse, or service animal to bite or in any way moles t or annoy
other park visitors. No pers on shall permit their domes tic or s erv ice animal to bark or otherwis e dis turb the
peac e and tranquility of the park.
(6) The owner of a domes tic animal or horse is direc tly responsible for the behavior of the animal and s hall not
allow their domes tic animal or horse to create a nuis anc e to other park users or defac e park lands.
(7) Domestic animal owners mus t pic k up s olid bodily was te from their animal and dispose of it in garbage
receptacles prov ided in the park or take it with them when they leav e the park. Horse owners mus t s weep to the
side of all trails , parking lots and areas c ommonly us ed for foot traffic bodily wastes from their hors e. [Ord. 3-21
§ 1 (Appx . A)]
12.25.180 Horseback riding.
(1) Horses shall not be permitted in any designated swimming area, campground, pic nic area, or any other area
so designated or pos ted in a park .
(2) No person shall ride any horse in s uch a manner in a park that might endanger life or limb of any person or
animal, and no person shall allow a hors e to s tand unattended or insec urely tied in a park . [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx .
A)]
12.25.190 Motor vehicles.
The Jefferson C ounty Code is current through Ordinance 3-21, passed May 24, 2021.
Jefferson C ounty C ode Chapter 12.25 C OUN TY PAR KS*Page 7 of 10
(1) No person shall drive a motor vehicle within any park at a speed greater than is reas onable and prudent,
having due regard for the traffic on, and the surface and width of the road, and in no ev ent at a s peed which
endangers the s afety of persons , property , or wildlife; prov ided, howev er, that in no event s hall a vehicle be
driven at a s peed greater than 15 miles per hour in c amp, picnic utility , or headquarters area, or in areas of
general public as semblage; and provided further, that in no event shall a vehic le be driven at a speed greater
than 25 miles per hour in any other area.
(2) No person shall operate a motor vehicle within the boundaries of a park ex cept on roads, streets, highways,
parking lots , or park ing areas; ex cept motor vehic les c onducting park maintenance operations .
(3) No person shall operate any motor v ehicle on a trail in any park, unless the trail has been specific ally
designated and posted for s uch use, ex cept emergency vehicles or motor vehicles conducting trail maintenanc e
operations . [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx . A)]
12.25.200 Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and remotely controlled vehicles.
(1) No person shall operate or control the movement of a UAS, remotely controlled vehic le or vess el from within
any park without a special use permit iss ued in ac cordance with policy is sued by the direc tor.
(2) The director’s polic y for special use permits in the v arious parks shall be bas ed on written findings of the
park’s formalized goals, the nature and use of the park , priv acy interests of park patrons and whether the
propos ed activ ity poses a threat to a c ritic al area.
(3) A UAS or remotely controlled v ehic le or v ess el special use permit s hall not be is s ued in a way to imply
endors ement of Jeffers on County , nor shall owners or operators of a UAS or remotely controlled vehicle or
vess el or their end users of the c ontent of materials produced by the UAS flight or remotely c ontrolled v ehicle or
vess el’s other operation imply any endorsement of J efferson County. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx. A)]
12.25.210 Metal detecting.
The us e of metal detec tors is permitted on county park lands only as specified below. Suc h use is subject to the
following limitations :
(1) Any pers on desiring to use a metal detec tor on s pec ified county park lands shall apply for a metal detecting
permit as follows :
(a) The iss uanc e of a metal detecting permit is c onditioned upon the applicant’s agreement to c omply with
the rules and regulations of this sec tion and acc epting all responsibilities set forth therein.
(b) Upon a determination by the direc tor, or his designated appointee, that a metal detecting permit holder
has v iolated any rule or regulation of this s ection, suc h permit will be rev oked and they will lose the
privilege to obtain a permit in the future.
The Jefferson C ounty Code is current through Ordinance 3-21, passed May 24, 2021.
Jefferson C ounty C ode Chapter 12.25 C OUN TY PAR KS*Page 8 of 10
(2) Specified county park lands in which metal detec ting may be permitted consist of the following:
(a) Cape George Trailhead Park (40 acres).
(b) Gibbs Lake County Park (700 acres).
(c) Chimacum Park (12 acres).
(d) Lake Leland and Quilcene Campgrounds only when the camps ite is unoccupied.
(e) Other areas as per parks policy .
(3) Petitions for ex c eptions to policy under this s ection s hall be made to the direc tor who will render a written
decis ion whic h makes findings bas ed on the park’s formalized goals, the nature and us e of the park and whether
the proposed ac tivity pos es a threat to a c ritical area.
(4) Metal Detec ting Rules and Regulations.
(a) Parks that permit metal detecting will hav e metal detec ting information posted at the park; if no
information is posted, the park does not permit this activ ity.
(b) Users will not destroy or damage park fac ilities or natural features.
(c) Any find that appears to hav e c ultural, his torical or arc haeological significanc e may not be removed
from where it was found. Report all findings immediately to Jeffers on County park s and rec reation and do
not further disturb the area.
(d) Properly dispos e of all found or rec overed litter.
(e) Group detecting ev ents require a Jefferson County spec ial ev ents permit.
(f) Metal detec ting in c amping areas open to metal detec ting is permitted only in unocc upied camps ites.
Use of metal detectors in occupied c ampsites is prohibited.
(g) The only digging tools allowed to be used in metal detecting are a blunted ic e pic k , a sc rewdriv er no
more than six inches long, or a blunted awl. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx . A)]
12.25.220 Religious services or group rallies.
Religious servic es or group rallies may be permitted in park s where facilities are adequate, and where s uch
activ ities will not conflict in any way with normal park us age. To avoid conflict, permission for suc h activ ities
mus t be obtained in advanc e from the direc tor. Facility rental fees may apply. Permis sion for the us e of
louds peak ers by groups must be obtained in advanc e from the direc tor. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx. A)]
The Jefferson C ounty Code is current through Ordinance 3-21, passed May 24, 2021.
Jefferson C ounty C ode Chapter 12.25 C OUN TY PAR KS*Page 9 of 10
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12.25.230 Preservation of public property.
(1) The poss ession, destruction, injury, defacement, removal, or dis turbance in any manner of any building, s ign,
equipment, monument, s tatue, marker, or other struc ture, or any other public property of any k ind, is prohibited.
(2) Entering, climbing upon, or tampering with county -owned motor v ehicles and motoriz ed or power equipment,
except by authorized county employ ees, is prohibited. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx. A)]
12.25.240 Trespass from a park to private property is prohibited.
Tres pas s from a park onto private property , inc luding beaches and tidelands, is prohibited. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx.
A)]
12.25.250 Other prohibited conduct at parks.
(1) Bois terous or noisome activities between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and sunrise are prohibited.
(2) Vulgar language or conduct des igned to harass or annoy other pers ons is prohibited.
(3) Defac ing park property is prohibited. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx . A)]
12.25.260 Enforcement.
(1) The enforc ement prov is ions codified in JCC Title 19, Code Compliance, as currently enac ted or as hereafter
amended, s hall apply to any alleged or found violation of this c hapter.
(2) Compliance with the terms and conditions of this c hapter shall constitute minimum health, s anitation and
safety provis ions. Any pers on who shall violate or fail to comply with any provision of this c hapter s hall be
deemed guilty of a mis demeanor. [Ord. 3-21 § 1 (Appx. A)]
See Part V of the fee schedules in the appendix to the J efferson County Code for camping fees.
The Jefferson C ounty Code is current through Ordinance 3-21, passed May 24, 2021.
Jefferson C ounty C ode Chapter 12.25 C OUN TY PAR KS*Page 10 of 10