RULES GOVERNING OPERATION OF CITY PARKS

Raleigh City Code pt. 9, ch. 2, art. B

in effect

Raleigh City Code § 9-2011 VEHICLES; USE OF ROADS ONLY.

Sec. 9-2011. - VEHICLES; USE OF ROADS ONLY. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate any motorized vehicle or other power driven vehicle upon the grass or footways of the City parks or elsewhere other than on the public roads and streets. (Code 1959, §16-17)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2012 MAXIMUM SPEED.

Sec. 9-2012. - MAXIMUM SPEED. It shall be unlawful to operate any motor vehicle in excess of fifteen (15) miles per hour upon any of the streets or drives of any park; provided, however, the provisions of this section shall not be effective or applicable to any particular street or way in any such public park until appropriate signs shall have been erected along such street or way indicating the speed limits applicable thereto as herein prescribed. (Code 1959, §16-18)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2013 PARKING REGULATIONS.

Sec. 9-2013. - PARKING REGULATIONS. (a) When official approval signs shall have been erected upon any street, way or other place within any public park of the City prohibiting parking within the specific areas designated by such signs, it shall be unlawful for any person to park any motor vehicle, bicycle or other vehicle, or to allow, permit or suffer any motor vehicle or other vehicle to stand or park, in any such street, way or other place within any such public park. Upon the recommendation of the Director of Parks and Recreation, the Director of Transportation shall cause appropriate signs to be provided and erected at such places as designated by the Director of Parks and Recreation designating the areas within which such parking is prohibited. (b) It shall be unlawful for any vehicle to park on any of the streets within any of the public parks or play areas of the City for the purpose of vending goods, wares or merchandise. (c) Violation of this section is an infraction and may also be enforced through issuance of a civil penalty pursuant to §14-1005, through injunctive or other equitable relief, or a combination of remedies. (Code 1959, §16-19; Ord. No. 2022-339, §4, 2-15-22)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2014 PARKING PERMITS REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN AREAS.

Sec. 9-2014. - PARKING PERMITS REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN AREAS. Areas adjacent to the arts and crafts building at Pullen Park which have been set aside and designated by appropriate signs as parking areas for vehicles may be used only by those participants in the arts and crafts program who have been issued a permit by the Parks and Recreation Department authorizing them to use such areas for parking. Persons not so authorized who use this designated area for parking shall be deemed trespassers and may be prosecuted. It shall further be unlawful for any vehicle to park on any roadway or in any designated space of a City park except for the purpose of using the park, its facilities and programs. Parking at all City parks shall be for park patrons only. Violations of this section shall be an infraction and vehicles in violation may be towed pursuant to law. (Code 1959, §16-19.1; Ord. No. 1989-350, §1, 4-18-89; Ord. No. 2022-339, §5, 2-15-22)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2015 LITTERING IN PARKS PROHIBITED.

Sec. 9-2015. - LITTERING IN PARKS PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful for any person to throw any rubbish, stones or other debris, paper or trash of any kind into any lake or pond or within any park of the City. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor and may also be enforced through issuance of a civil penalty pursuant to §14-1005, through injunctive or other equitable relief, or a combination of remedies. (Ord. No. 2022-339, §6, 2-15-22)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2016 BATHING IN LAKES, PONDS, ETC.

Sec. 9-2016. - BATHING IN LAKES, PONDS, ETC. Unless specifically authorized by Council, it shall be unlawful for any person to bathe, swim or wade in any City-owned or maintained lake, pond, fountain or other water feature. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor and may also be enforced through issuance of a civil penalty pursuant to §14-1005, through injunctive or other equitable relief, or a combination of remedies. (Ord. No. 1984-383, §1, 7-17-84; Ord. No. 2022-339, §7, 2-15-22)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2017 SWINGING ON, OR CLIMBING TREES; DESTROYING BIRDS' NESTS; THROWING TRASH.

Sec. 9-2017. - SWINGING ON, OR CLIMBING TREES; DESTROYING BIRDS' NESTS; THROWING TRASH. It shall be unlawful for any person to attach a swing to any tree, or to climb any tree; or to rob or break up and destroy any birds' nests or to foul in any manner any spring or branch within any park of the City. (Code 1959, §16-22)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2018 INJURING PLANTS PROHIBITED; PERMIT REQUIRED TO EXCAVATE OR REMOVE EARTH/ARTIFACTS OR TO SCATTER CREMATED REMAINS.

Sec. 9-2018. - INJURING PLANTS PROHIBITED; PERMIT REQUIRED TO EXCAVATE OR REMOVE EARTH/ARTIFACTS OR TO SCATTER CREMATED REMAINS. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to pull or forage any flowers or fruits, whether wild or cultivated, vegetable or plant life, cut down trees or saplings, break limbs or branches of trees or bark trees, or injure shrubbery or plants, or to girdle any tree within any of the City parks, City park facilities, City lakes and ponds, City cultural and historic resources, City cemeteries, or City greenways, except by written authorization of the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department Director or the Director's designee, which shall be subject to rules and regulations set by the Director. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to excavate any earth from any City park, City park facility, City lake or pond, City cultural and historic resource, City cemetery, or City greenways, or remove earth and artifacts therefrom, except by written authorization of the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department Director or the Director's designee. Violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor and may also be enforced through issuance of a civil penalty pursuant to §14-1005, through injunctive or other equitable relief, or a combination of remedies. (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to scatter cremated remains on or within Parks System property, except by written authorization of the City Manager or the Manager's designee. (Code 1959, §16-23; Ord. No. 2017-663, §1, 1-17-17; Ord. No. 2022-339, §8, 2-15-22; Ord. No. (2023) 567, § 1, 11-7-23)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2019 MAKING FIRES IN PARKS REGULATED.

Sec. 9-2019. - MAKING FIRES IN PARKS REGULATED. It shall be unlawful for any person to make a fire for any purpose except at locations where facilities are provided on the grounds of any of the City parks.

Raleigh City Code § 9-2020 SIGNS; UNLAWFUL USE OF FACILITIES.

Sec. 9-2020. - SIGNS; UNLAWFUL USE OF FACILITIES. It shall be unlawful for anyone to destroy or to take down, without permission from the Director of Parks and Recreation, any notice or sign displayed on any recreation or other park facility or area being permanently or temporarily used by the Parks and Recreation Department. It shall be unlawful for anyone to use or enter upon any recreational facility or area which they are temporarily or permanently prohibited from using by means of (1) any written or published notice, (2) signs made or caused to be made by the Parks and Recreation Department, or (3) verbal request that such facilities or areas are not to be used or entered upon, when such request is made by officially identified Parks and Recreation Department personnel. Any person or persons who are requested by Parks and Recreation Department personnel properly and officially identified as such to desist in the use of any park, or to leave a park or recreation facility or area, or any area or facility being used for parks and recreation purposes, shall do so without delay and without argument or physical, or other, resistance. (Code 1959, §16-27)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2021 WEAPONS PROHIBITED.

Sec. 9-2021. - WEAPONS PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful for any person to openly carry or possess on or about his person any deadly weapon including but not limited to any: bowie knife, dirk, dagger, sling-shot, loaded cane, metal knuckles, razor, stun gun, pistol, revolver, gun, rifle, or nightstick at any meeting, assemblage, or parade on any property, street, alley or other public way, park, greenway. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or carry a legally permitted concealed handgun on or at any City owned playground, athletic field, swimming pool, or athletic facility as defined in G.S. 14-415.23. This section shall not apply to law enforcement or other government personnel acting within the scope of their employment; nor shall this section apply to weapons used solely for instructional classes or for officially sanctioned ceremonial purposes. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00) and/or imprisonment. In addition to said punishment, any person convicted under this section will be prohibited from entering on park property of the City or participating in Parks and Recreation activities for a period of up to one year. (Code 1959, §16-29; Ord. No. 1992-39, §1, 9-1-92; Ord. No. 2011-989, §2, 12-6-11)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2022 PERMIT REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN USES OF PARKS.

Sec. 9-2022. - PERMIT REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN USES OF PARKS. (a) Required; scope. Any individual, organization, corporation, association, society, fraternity, club, order or group of whatever kind desiring the use of the public parks owned or controlled by the City as the location for a rally, demonstration, march, public speech, public meeting or other similar activity shall make written request therefor not less than seventy-two (72) hours prior to the date of the intended use. This section shall apply only to assemblages where the expected attendance will be more than one hundred (100) people. No such assemblage may be held except during daylight hours. Violation of this subsection after being notified of its requirements is a misdemeanor. (b) Distribution of food prohibited. No individuals or group shall serve or distribute meals or food of any kind in or on any City park or greenway unless such distribution is pursuant to a permit issued by the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Director. (c) Application; information. The application shall be submitted to the Chief of Police and shall state the name of the individual or organization and the name and address of its principal officers and of its directors or other governing body and shall also contain such other pertinent information as may be required by the Chief of Police in order to clearly identify the organization submitting the request and the individuals principally engaged in the conduct of its affairs. The request shall state the use to which the public property shall be put and the date and hour for which the use is requested and the expected duration of such use. (d) Determination by Police Chief. If the Chief of Police shall conclude that the requested use will not hinder or impede any regularly established use of the parks and will not adversely affect their care, protection or maintenance or create a nuisance by such use, the Chief of Police shall grant permission for such use. If the Chief of Police shall determine otherwise, the request shall be denied. (e) Weapons prohibited. No person shall openly carry or possess at any such meeting or assemblage any firearms or other deadly weapon as defined in §9-2021 herein. No person shall carry or possess a legally permitted concealed firearm at any such meeting or assemblage if the same is held at a playground, athletic field, swimming pool, or athletic facility as defined in G.S. 14-415.23. Violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor. (f) In addition to any other remedy, a violation of this section may also be enforced through issuance of a civil penalty pursuant to §14-1005, through injunctive or other equitable relief, or a combination of remedies. (Code 1959, §16-29.01; Ord. No. 1998-440, §2, 10-21-98; Ord. No. 2011-989, §3, 12-6-11; Ord. No. 2022-339, §9, 2-15-22)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2023 COMMERCIAL USE OF PARKS AND GREENWAYS RESTRICTED; PERMIT REQUIRED.

Sec. 9-2023. - COMMERCIAL USE OF PARKS AND GREENWAYS RESTRICTED; PERMIT REQUIRED. (a) Definitions. Amusement areas means the areas of Pullen Park and John Chavis Memorial Park containing carousels, paddle boats, trains, or other amusements. Commercial use means any activity conducted for pecuniary or commercial gain including private lessons, classes, or group activities where the lesson, class, or activity has a fee or other monetary barrier to entry. "Commercial use" also includes any lesson, class, or commercial activities taking place on park system property that is associated with any trade, occupation, profession, business, or franchise. "Commercial use" does not include activities conducted on the City's behalf or in conjunction with the City. Designated areas means those portions of park system property designated by the Parks Director as appropriate for commercial use. Designated areas shall not include parks system property that is available for individual rental, such as picnic shelters and athletic fields. Parks Director means the Director of the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department. Park system property means a City park, City park facility, or City greenway. (b) Permit, Rental or Booking Agreement Required for Commercial Use. Commercial use of any park system property is unlawful without first obtaining a permit from the City authorizing the use or entering into a rental contract or booking agreement with the City authorizing use of a specific facility. Events permitted under the City Council's Special Event Policy may use park system property only as specifically authorized in the special event permit. Permits for any other commercial use of park system property are issued by the Parks Director or the Director's designee. (c) Permit Standards; Fee. (1) The Parks Director may issue a permit authorizing commercial use of designated areas at specific times and dates stated in the permit if the Director determines that: (a) the use is a recreational program or recreation-related activity; (b) the use will not restrict or impede access for the general public to the area used commercially; (c) the use does not conflict with a recreational program offered by the City; (d) the use will not pose a safety risk to persons or property; (e) the use will not create an undue burden on the park system property sought; and, (f) within the prior twelve (12) months, the applicant has complied with all requirements of a previous commercial use permit. (2) The Parks Director may impose reasonable conditions on any permit issued to protect the public, preserve park system property, and provide equitable use of public facilities. Conditions may include requirements for insurance, indemnity agreements, participant releases and waivers of liability, identification of responsible persons, reporting requirements, limits on the number of participants, limits on areas, days, or times of use, and any other condition or safeguard to lessen impacts that the commercial use may cause. The permit holder and all participants in the commercial use shall comply with all conditions on the permit and shall also comply with applicable Federal, State, and City laws. (3) The Parks Director may charge an annual fee of up to $25.00 for each permit application submitted. One application may seek commercial use at up to four designated areas. (4) A permit authorizes commercial use by the permit holder as described in the permit. Commercial use permits cannot be transferred to any other person. (d) Permit Scope. A commercial use permit does not grant exclusive use of space. A permit provides the permit holder a license for the activity in the designated areas and is revocable at will. The permit holder and participants must share the designated areas with other users and cannot block public access. Permit holders shall make certain that the commercial use does not damage park system property. Permit holders shall not store equipment or apparatus within park system property, or create a hazard to other users of park system properties. (e) Permit Duration; Suspending or Terminating Permits. Commercial use permits expire at the end of each calendar year. Commercial use permits are also revocable at any time in the City's sole discretion. The Parks Director or the Director's designee shall temporarily suspend a permit if the Director determines that City operations require it or if a conflicting special event will use the space. The Parks Director or the Director's designee shall terminate a commercial use permit if the commercial use damages park system property, injures or damages property of other persons using park system property, if a permit holder violates any condition of a permit, or if the commercial use conflicts with a City program. The Parks Director or the Director's designee may terminate a permit holder's commercial use at a specific designated area if the permittee repeatedly fails to use that area. A permit holder may appeal a decision to terminate a permit to the City Manager or the Manager's designee by filing a written notice with the City Manager within ten (10) calendar days after the decision is mailed to the permit holder. (f) Producing Permit Upon Request. A permit holder shall ensure that the permit is present in the designated area during the commercial use. Upon request by any Raleigh Police Officer or any member of the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Department, a person engaged in commercial use of parks system property shall immediately produce the permit. (g) Commercial Use Prohibited at Certain Facilities. The Parks Director shall not issue a permit under this section for commercial use of any City tennis court, City pool, or amusement areas. No person shall engage in commercial use at the City's tennis courts, City pools, or amusement areas. (h) Violations. A violation of this section is a misdemeanor and may also be enforced through injunctive or other equitable relief, or a combination of remedies. (Ord. No. 2015-439, §1, 5-19-15, eff. 5-24-15)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2024 HUNTING AND TAKING OF ANIMALS PROHIBITED.

Sec. 9-2024. - HUNTING AND TAKING OF ANIMALS PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful for anyone to hunt, destroy, trap or otherwise capture or take any animal, wildlife, migratory birds or other fowl within a City park except when specifically authorized by the Council.

Raleigh City Code § 9-2025 SLEEPING IN PARKS PROHIBITED.

Sec. 9-2025. - SLEEPING IN PARKS PROHIBITED. So long as either the City of Raleigh or Wake County shall operate a twenty-four-hour a day emergency homeless shelter, it shall be unlawful to camp or stay overnight in or on any City park, greenway, street, or any other City property without first receiving a permit from the Director of Parks, Recreation and Greenways. Camping shall include, but not be limited to, the erection or use of tents, shelters, huts and bedding, or the storage of personal belongings, or the building of fires for heating or cooking. No person shall camp, sleep, or rest in a prone position at Nash Square, Moore Square, the Transit Transfer Center, the Fayetteville Street Mall or the Upchurch Municipal Building Complex at any time of the day or night except by permit as a part of an approved the Parks, Recreation and Greenway Department program. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor and may also be enforced through issuance of a civil penalty pursuant to §14-1005, through injunctive or other equitable relief, or a combination of remedies. (Ord. No. 1981-709, §1, 7-21-81; Ord. No. 1988-270, §1, 11-15-88; Ord. No. 1998-439, §1, 10-21-98; Ord. No. 1998-440, §1, 10-21-98; Ord. No. 2002-162, §1, 2-19-02; Ord. No. 2022-339, §10, 2-15-22)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2026 REGULATION OF ACTIVITIES IN WALNUT CREEK PARK.

Sec. 9-2026. - REGULATION OF ACTIVITIES IN WALNUT CREEK PARK. In addition to the regulations set out in Article B of this chapter, §9-1011 et seq., regulating activities in City parks, the following activities are specifically made unlawful in Walnut Creek Park and at the Walnut Creek Amphitheater: (a) It shall be unlawful for any person, other than an agent or employee of an authorized lessee, while on park property, to offer for sale or sell tickets to any event appearing at the Walnut Creek Amphitheater on the day of the attempted sale or at any future performance date. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to offer for sale or sell any merchandise of any kind in the Walnut Creek Park on the day of a performance at the Walnut Creek Amphitheater unless such sale is carried out by an agent or employee of an authorized lessee of the Walnut Creek Amphitheater. (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct a pyrotechnic display anywhere in the park without the express written consent of the City Manager. Before granting such consent, the Manager shall consider the duration of the display, its location, and the time at which the display is to occur. (d) It shall be unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate in Walnut Creek Park unless such urination or defecation takes place in a designated indoor toilet facility. (e) It shall be unlawful for any performance of any type at Walnut Creek Amphitheater to continue past 11:30 p.m. (Ord. No. 1991-826, §1, 8-6-91)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2027 REGULATION OF THE USE OF BICYCLES AND OTHER NON-MOTORIZED VEHICLES ON THE GREENWAY SYSTEM.

Sec. 9-2027. - REGULATION OF THE USE OF BICYCLES AND OTHER NON-MOTORIZED VEHICLES ON THE GREENWAY SYSTEM. (a) Definitions. As used in this section, except where the context clearly requires otherwise, the words and terms used in this section shall have the following meanings: (1) Bicycle. A non-motorized vehicle with two (2) or three (3) wheels tandem, a steering handle, one (1) or two (2) seats, and pedals by which the vehicle is propelled, and also bicycles with helper motor rated less than one (1) brake horsepower which produce only ordinary pedaling speed up to twenty (20) miles per hour. (2) Skateboard. A non-motorized vehicle with two (2) pairs of wheels tandem mounted below a single horizontal board upon which the rider stands erect and is propelled by pushing off the travel surface with one (1) foot. Steering is achieved by shifting the body weight from one side to the other. (3) Rollerskates. A non-motorized vehicle with two (2) pairs of wheels tandem mounted on shoes worn by the rollerskater. The rollerskater stands erect and is propelled by pushing off the travel surface with each foot. Steering is achieved by shifting the body weight from one side to the other. (4) In-line skates. A non-motorized vehicle with three (3) to five (5) wheels mounted in-line on shoes worn by the skater. The skater stands erect and is propelled by pushing off the travel surface with each foot. Steering is achieved by shifting the body weight from one side to the other. (b) Use of the Greenway System. Non-motorized vehicles as defined herein may use the system of Greenway trails designated as such by the City so long as any user of such a vehicle complies with all traffic regulations applicable and so long as the operator shall stop or otherwise yield the right-of-way to pedestrian traffic. No non-motorized vehicle shall exceed a speed of ten (10) miles per hour while being operated on the Greenway Trail system. (Ord. No. 1993-249, §1, 8-3-93)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2028 REGULATION OF SKATEPARKS.

Sec. 9-2028. - REGULATION OF SKATEPARKS. (a) Definitions. Except where the context clearly requires otherwise, the words and terms used in this section shall have the following meanings: (1) Skatepark. A City-owned facility specifically designed, constructed and designated by on-site signage as an area in which persons may engage in skateboarding, in-line skating, and other allowed conveyances. Such facility may include obstacles such as ramps, "half-pipes", bowls and other structures which may be used in the course of such activities. (2) The terms "bicycle," "skateboard," "rollerskates," and "In-line skates" shall have the same definition as set out in §9-2027 of the Code. (b) Skateboards and In-line skates may be used within a Skatepark. It shall be unlawful to use any other conveyance of any type within a Skatepark, including but not limited to, bicycles or rollerskates, unless the Skatepark is specifically designed, constructed and designated by on-site signage with the approval of the Director of Parks and Recreation as an area for the use of other conveyances. (c) [Protective helmet and pads.] Any person using or riding a skateboard, In-line skates, or other allowed conveyance, in a Skatepark or in any Parks and Recreation facility in which a Skatepark is located shall wear a protective helmet with the chin strap securely fastened under the chin, and protective elbow pads and kneepads. To meet the requirements of this section, the pads and helmet must be in good condition, and the helmet must meet the current standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or SNELL. Any person using the Skatepark shall also wear closed-toe shoes while riding any allowed conveyance. (d) [Violation by a minor.] It shall be unlawful for the parent or guardian of any minor child to permit such minor child to use the Skatepark in violation of this section. (e) [Waiver and indemnity agreement.] Prior to first using a Skatepark, all persons using or riding a skateboard, In-line skates, or other allowed conveyance shall sign a waiver of liability and indemnity agreement on a form furnished by the City. No person may use or ride a skateboard, In-line skates, or other allowed conveyance at a Skatepark without having the required waiver and indemnity agreement in force. If a participant is under eighteen (18) years of age, the required form shall be signed by a parent or legal guardian, and an additional form shall be signed by the participant upon reaching the age of eighteen (18). The form shall apply to each and every use of a Skatepark thereafter by the participant; provided that the City may, in its discretion, periodically require that a new waiver of liability or indemnity agreement be signed. (f) [Rules and regulations.] Persons using a Skatepark shall comply with rules and regulations established by the Director of Parks and Recreation and maintained in the Director's Office. All persons at a Skatepark shall obey posted regulatory signs. (g) Enforcement. Violations of this section shall be deemed infractions pursuant to G.S. 14-4, punishable by a fine of up to fifty dollars ($50.00) and any other costs as prescribed by law. In addition, violations may be addressed through administrative remedies imposed by rule enacted by the Director of Parks and Recreation, including expulsion from the Skatepark and the facility in which it is located. (Ord. No. 2009-564, §1, 4-7-09)

Raleigh City Code § 9-2029 PROHIBITION OF DOGS IN PLAYGROUND AREAS.

Sec. 9-2029. - PROHIBITION OF DOGS IN PLAYGROUND AREAS. Dogs are hereby prohibited from being in any playground area in a City park or in any area under the jurisdiction of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department. A playground area is a fenced or unfenced area containing manufactured or naturally derived play equipment or elements used by children. It may also contain adult equipment or elements if developed as an intergenerational play space. Play equipment has prescribed use zones requiring safety surfacing to protect against impact injury. The area may have associated features such as a sand play area, play lawn, water play feature, as well as amenities such as benches, picnic tables, trash receptacles and signage. (Ord. No. 2014-282, §1, 4-1-14, eff. 5-1-14)

Source: City of Raleigh, North Carolina, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nc/raleigh/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=DIVIICOGEOR_PT9PARECUAF_CH2PA_ARTBRUGOOPPAFetched: 11/1/2026