ARTICLE 1. General Provisions [5096.225. - 5096.229.]

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC 1.
in effect

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5096.226. Section 5096.226.

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that: (a) It is the responsibility of this state to provide and to encourage the provision of recreational opportunities and facilities for citizens of California. (b) It is the policy of the state to preserve, protect, and, where possible, restore coastal resources which are of significant recreational or environmental importance and, through proper planning and development, to make them available for the enjoyment of present and future generations of persons of all income levels, all ages, and all social groups. (c) When there is proper planning and development, parks, beaches, recreation areas and recreational facilities, and historical resources preservation projects contribute not only to a healthy physical and moral environment, but also contribute to the economic betterment of the state, and, therefore, it is in the public interest for the state to acquire, develop, or restore areas for recreation, conservation, or preservation and to aid local governments of the state in acquiring, developing, or restoring those areas as will contribute to the realization of the policy declared in this chapter.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5096.227. Section 5096.227.

The Legislature further finds and declares that: (a) The demand for parks, beaches, recreation areas and recreational facilities, and historical resources preservation projects in California is far greater than what is presently available, with the number of people who cannot be accommodated at the area of their choice or any comparable area increasing rapidly. Further, the development of parks, beaches, recreation areas and recreational facilities, and historical resources preservation projects has not proceeded rapidly enough to provide for their full utilization by the public. (b) The demand for parks, beaches, recreation areas and recreational facilities, and historical resources preservation projects in the urban areas of our state is even greater since over 90 percent of the present population of California reside in urban areas; there continues to be a serious deficiency in open space and recreation areas in the metropolitan areas of the state; and less urban land is available, costs are escalating, and competition for land is increasing. (c) There is a high concentration of urban social problems in California’s major metropolitan areas which can be partially alleviated by increased recreational opportunities. (d) There is a particularly high demand for recreational use at reservoirs and lakes within the state park system and recreational facilities at nonstate water facilities are particularly in need of expansion, rehabilitation, or restoration. (e) California’s coast provides a great variety of recreational opportunities not found at inland sites; it is heavily used because the state’s major urban areas lie, and 85 percent of the state’s population lives, within 30 miles of the Pacific Ocean; a shortage of facilities for almost every popular coastal recreational activity exists; and there will be a continuing high demand for popular coastal activities such as fishing, swimming, sightseeing, general beach use, camping, and day use. Funding for the development of a number of key coastal sites is critical at this time, particularly in metropolitan areas where both the demand for and the deficiency of recreational facilities is greatest. (f) Cities, counties, and districts must exercise constant vigilance to see that the parks, beaches, recreation areas and recreational facilities, and historical resources they now have are not lost to other uses; they should acquire additional lands as those lands become available; they should take steps to improve the facilities they now have; and they should adequately operate and maintain their existing and proposed systems for the enjoyment of present and future generations of persons of all income levels, all ages, and all social groups. (g) Past and current funding programs have not and cannot meet present deficiencies. This condition has become more acute as a result of restrictions on local governmental revenues. There is a need to give priority to further recreational development that can serve expanding recreational needs, produce operating revenues, and in some cases stimulate private sector jobs. In view of the present revenue shortages, and the increasing recreational demands, such a priority is most important at this time. (h) In view of the foregoing, the Legislature declares that an aggressive, coordinated, funded program for meeting existing and projected recreational demands must be implemented without delay.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5096.228. Section 5096.228.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (a) “Coastal resources” means those land and water areas within the coastal zone, as defined in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 31006, and within the Santa Monica Mountains Zone, as described in Section 33105, which are suitable for public park, beach, or recreational purposes, including, but not limited to, areas of historical significance and areas of open space that complement park, beach, or recreational areas, or which are suitable for the preservation of coastal resource values. (b) “District” means any district authorized to provide park, recreational, or open-space services, or a combination of those services, except a school district. (c) “Fund” means the Parklands Fund of 1984. (d) “Historical resource” includes, but is not limited to, any building, structure, site, area, or place which is historically or archaeologically significant, or is significant in the architectural, engineering, scientific, economic, agricultural, educational, social, political, military, or cultural annals of California. (e) “Historical resources preservation project” is a project designed to preserve an historical resource which is either listed in the National Register of Historic Places or is registered as either a state historical landmark or point of historical interest pursuant to Section 5021. (f) “Inland resources” means those land and water areas not included in the definition of coastal resources. (g) “Program” means the Parklands Acquisition and Development Program of 1984 established by this chapter. (h) “Stewardship” means the development and implementation of major programs for the protection, rehabilitation, restoration, and enhancement of the basic natural systems and outstanding scenic features of the state park system. It does not mean the maintenance or alteration of facilities, developments, or of any physical installations whose original purpose was not the protection of natural and scenic resources. (i) “Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta” means those land and water areas defined in Section 12200 of the Water Code.

Cal. Public Resources Code - PRC § 5096.229. Section 5096.229.

(a) “District,” as defined by subdivision (b) of Section 5096.228, includes a district agricultural association or a citrus fruit fair which is authorized to provide park, recreational, or open-space services, or a combination of those services, of a character commonly provided by a recreation and park district, and which provides those services for the general public on a year-round basis. (b) Park, recreational, or open-space services, or a combination of those services, of a character commonly provided by a county parks and recreation department, which are provided by a county fair for the general public on a year-round basis, are eligible for a local assistance grant pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 5096.231 as a county project. (c) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the provisions of this section are declaratory of and in accord with existing law.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026

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