Fishing Piers Owned or Operated by the City of San Diego — Regulations
San Diego Municipal Code § 63.20.16
in effect§63.20.16 Fishing Piers Owned or Operated by the City of San Diego — Regulations
(a) It is the intent and purpose of the City Council of the City of San Diego to provide for the use and enjoyment by the people of fishing piers by adopting regulations governing the conduct and behavior of persons using the piers so that these recreational facilities may be enjoyed by all.
(b) It is unlawful for any person to perform any of the following acts on any fishing pier owned or operated by the City of San Diego:
(1) Operate a vehicle thereon without written permission from the Recreation Director, and in no event, at a speed in excess of five miles per hour.
(2) Use roller skates, or skate boards or ride a bicycle thereon.
(3) Dive or jump or cause another person to fall, dive or jump from the pier into the ocean.
(4) Swim, wade, surf, or skin dive within seventy–five feet (75’) of the pier.
(5) Climb on or across the pier railing.
(6) Cast any fishing line or pole overhead or allow any lure or hook to pass inboard of the pier railing while casting.
(7) Clean any fish except at locations provided for that purpose.
(8) Deposit trash, refuse or debris, including tobacco, cigarette butts, or remains of any material capable of being smoked, unless in a receptacle provided for such purpose.
(9) Use more than one pole or drop line at the same time.
(10) Permit any animal on the pier except a seeing–eye dog when accompanying a blind person.
(11) Surf cast from the beach or water within two hundred feet (200’) of the pier.
(12) Fish or trap sea life for commercial purposes.
(13) Bring onto or have in his possession on the pier any fishing spear or fishing spear gun.
(14) Permit any vessel to approach within one hundred feet (100’) of the pier without written permission of the Recreation Director.
(15) Kindle or maintain thereon any fire or bonfire for any purpose whatsoever, whether in an open brazier, hibachi pot, or otherwise, or use any heating, cooking or lighting device other than those employing electrical energy.
(16) Smoke, smoking, vape, or vaping as defined in San Diego Municipal Code section 43.1001.
(c) No goods, wares, merchandise or services of any kind or description shall be sold or offered for sale on any pier except at such places as shall be designated and licensed by the City.
(d) A violation of this ordinance shall be a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the City Jail for a period of not more than six months or by both fine and imprisonment.
(Amended 4–27–1977 by O–12058 N.S.)
(Amended 5-21-2007 by O-19620 N.S.; effective 6-20-2007.)
(Amended 10-2-2014 by O-20408 N.S.; effective 11-1-2014.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter06/Ch06Art03Division00.pdf#page=14Fetched: 10/28/2026