IN GENERAL

Fort Worth City Code ch. 24, art. I

in effect

Fort Worth City Code § 24-1 JURISDICTION.

§ 24-1 JURISDICTION. The rules and regulations in this article shall be in force in all parks, recreation areas and community centers (regardless of the city department charged with the day-to-day operations and programming of any particular community center) of the city. (1964 Code, § 27-19) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 15599, § 1, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 2, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015)

Fort Worth City Code § 24-2 CONDITIONS FOR USE; ENFORCEMENT.

§ 24-2 CONDITIONS FOR USE; ENFORCEMENT. Compliance with all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations is a condition of the use of any public park, community center or recreation area of the city. It shall be unlawful for any person to remain in any park, community center, or recreation area within the city after being advised by an employee of the city or a peace officer that he or she is interfering with, disrupting, or preventing the orderly conduct of any supervised or unsupervised play, educational program, or amusement program in any park, community center, or recreation area within the city and having been asked to leave. (1964 Code, § 27-19(17)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 11541, § 1(c), passed 4-12-1994; Ord. 15599, § 2, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 3, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015)

Fort Worth City Code § 24-3 ANIMALS AND BIRDS.

§ 24-3 ANIMALS AND BIRDS. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect any animal or bird in any park or recreation area or attempt to engage in any such conduct. (b) The director of park and recreation or designee, is excepted from the provisions of this section in instances where the health and/or safety of the public may be threatened. (c) This section does not apply to animal care and control officers as defined by this code who are performing duties within the scope of their employment with the city. (1964 Code, § 27-19(3)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 15599, § 3, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015; Ord. 23295-06-2018, § 4, passed 6-26-2018, eff. 7-6-2018)

Fort Worth City Code § 24-4 LITTERING.

§ 24-4 LITTERING. It shall be unlawful for any person to deposit paper, glass, metal, litter, cigarette or cigar butts or trash of any description on any lawn, driveway, path, trail or other place in any park, community center, trail or recreation area except in receptacles provided for waste disposal. (1964 Code, § 27-19(4)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 15599, § 4, passed 6-24-2003)

Fort Worth City Code § 24-5 ADVERTISING MATTER.

§ 24-5 ADVERTISING MATTER. It shall be unlawful for any person to display any advertising matter by signs or to distribute advertising matter by signs or to distribute advertising matter of any character within any parkways, medians, parks, golf courses, swimming pools or other recreation areas of the city without written permission of the city’s park and recreation director. (1964 Code, § 27-19(5)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 11351, § 1, passed 7-6-1993; Ord. 11541, § 1(c), passed 4-12-1994; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015)

Fort Worth City Code § 24-6 SELLING GOODS OR SERVICES.

§ 24-6 SELLING GOODS OR SERVICES. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer to sell any goods, wares, services or merchandise within any parkways, medians, parks, playgrounds, swimming pools or other recreation areas without permission of the park and recreation director. (1964 Code, § 27-19(6)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 11351, § 2, passed 7-6-1993; Ord. 11541, § 1(c), passed 4-12-1994; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015)

Fort Worth City Code § 24-7 DESIGNATED GOLFING AREAS.

§ 24-7 DESIGNATED GOLFING AREAS. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to practice golf in any portion of a park or recreation area not designated for that purpose; provided, however, that the practice of golf with knit or plastic balls is permitted in any open area not specifically , designed or designated for some other specialized activity. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in activities other than golf in areas of a park or recreation area designated specifically for golf. (1964 Code, § 27-19(7)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 27255-10-2024, § 1, passed 10-29-2024, eff. 11-6-2024)

Fort Worth City Code § 24-8 ENTERING CLOSED AREAS; HOURS OF OPERATION.

§ 24-8 ENTERING CLOSED AREAS; HOURS OF OPERATION. It shall be unlawful for any person to enter or remain in any portion of a park or recreation area which is designated as restricted, or to enter or remain, without a permit, in any park or recreation area during the hours of the day when such park or recreation area is not open to the public, or to enter or remain at any time in any park and recreation area which is closed for the season. The director of the park and recreation department may post the hours during which each park and recreation area is open to the public. Unless otherwise posted by the director of the park and recreation department, the hours during which parks and recreation areas are open to the public are 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (1964 Code, § 27-19(9)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7337, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 11541, § 1(c), passed 4-12-1994; Ord. 15599, § 5, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015; Ord. 27255-10-2024, § 2, passed 10-29-2024, eff. 11-6-2024)

Fort Worth City Code § 24-9 DOGS TO BE ON LEASH.

§ 24-9 DOGS TO BE ON LEASH. Dogs must be kept on a leash and under the direct physical control of the owner or handler while in any city park or recreation area. Dogs are permitted off-leash only in those portions of the park designated by the director of park and recreation as off-leash areas. Dogs must remain under the immediate personal supervision and command of the owner or handler while in off-leash areas. (1964 Code, § 27-19(10)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 15599, § 6, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015) Cross-reference: Animals and fowl, see Ch. 6

Fort Worth City Code § 24-10 RIDING, TETHERING OR PASTURING ANIMALS.

§ 24-10 RIDING, TETHERING OR PASTURING ANIMALS. It shall be unlawful for any person, without written permission of the park and recreation director or the city, to ride any cow, horse, mule, fowl or domesticated animal in or upon any park or recreation area not designated by the park and recreation director for such purpose, or to tether or pasture, or allow or cause to be tethered or pastured, any cow, horse, mule, fowl or domesticated animal in or upon any park or recreation area. (1964 Code, § 27-19(11)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 11541, § 1(c), passed 4-12-1994; Ord. 15599, § 7, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015) Cross-reference: Animals and fowl, see Ch. 6

Fort Worth City Code § 24-11 WASHING VEHICLES.

§ 24-11 WASHING VEHICLES. It shall be unlawful for any person to wash a vehicle in any park or recreation area not designated for that purpose. (1964 Code, § 27-19(12)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981) Cross-reference: Motor vehicles and traffic, see Ch. 22

Fort Worth City Code § 24-12 KITES, MODEL AIRPLANES.

§ 24-12 KITES, MODEL AIRPLANES. It shall be unlawful for any person to fly a kite or propel or guide a model airplane in any park or recreation area traversed by high voltage transmission lines. (1964 Code, § 27-19(3)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981)

Fort Worth City Code § 24-13 DISCHARGING FIREARMS.

§ 24-13 DISCHARGING FIREARMS. It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge any gun, pistol, airgun, or firearm of any kind within or across any park or recreation area not designated for that purpose. (1964 Code, § 27-19(14) (Ord. 27255-10-2024, § 3, passed 10-29-2024, eff. 11-6-2024)

Fort Worth City Code § 24-14 FISHING, SWIMMING, BOATING IN NONDESIGNATED AREAS.

§ 24-14 FISHING, SWIMMING, BOATING IN NONDESIGNATED AREAS. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to wade, swim or camp within any park or recreation area, other than in city operated swimming pools during designated hours of operation, without the expressed written permission of the director of the park and recreation department. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to boat or fish within any park or recreational area designated by the park and recreation director as being an area in which fishing and boating is prohibited and has been so designated by signs indicating such prohibition. (1964 Code, § 27-19(15)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 15599, § 8, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015)

Fort Worth City Code § 24-15 TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.

§ 24-15 TRAFFIC REGULATIONS. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or propel any motorized vehicle in, over, or through any park or recreation area except along and upon park drives, streets or boulevards, or other areas designated for driving purposes. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park a motor vehicle in any park or recreation area outside of a designated parking space unless: (1) The motor vehicle has been disabled due to an accident or mechanical failure and remains within the park or recreation area for a period of less than 24 hours; or (2) The motor vehicle is temporarily located in the park or recreation area outside of a designated parking space as directed by a peace officer. (c) If any motor vehicle is found within any park or recreation area in violation of a provision of this section and the identity of the operator of such motor vehicle cannot be determined, the owner or person in whose name such vehicle is registered shall be held prima facie responsible for such violation. (d) Persons driving motor vehicles within a park or recreation area with the expressed written permission of the Director of the Park and Recreation Department, or the Director's designee, are exempt from the provisions of this section. (1964 Code, § 27-19(16); Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 15599, § 9, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015 ; Ord. 27255-10-2024, § 4, passed 10-29-2024, eff. 11-6-2024) Cross-reference: Motor vehicles and traffic, see Ch. 22

Fort Worth City Code § 24-16 BOTANIC GARDEN.

§ 24-16 BOTANIC GARDEN. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons within the confines of the Botanic Garden of the City to engage in any active recreational or athletic pursuit, including by way of example but not limitation, horseback riding, archery, horseshoes, kite flying, model airplane flying, fishing, football, baseball, frisbee, croquet, badminton, golf, chase, motorized and nonmotorized cycling off designated park drives, swimming, running, and camping. Each and every rule and regulation enumerated within this article, each and every order and requirement of the park and recreation department, and any ordinance or general law relating to the maintenance and preservation of the Botanic Garden for its intended purpose shall be strictly observed and followed by visitors to the Botanic Garden. (1964 Code, § 27-19(18)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 11541, § 1(c), passed 4-12-1994; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015 ; Ord. 27255-10-2024, § 5, passed 10-29-2024, eff. 11-6-2024)

Fort Worth City Code § 24-17 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

§ 24-17 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally or knowingly sell, possess with the intent to sell, or consume any alcoholic beverage in the following areas: (1) Within the fenced enclosed areas surrounding any swimming pool, wading pool or spray pool within any park of the city; (2) Within any recreation or community center or the parking lots of any recreation or community center; or (3) Within any area of a wildlife preserve. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally or knowingly sell, possess with the intent to sell, or consume any alcoholic beverage within any area of a park, playground, or athletic field that has been designated by the park and recreation director as being an area in which alcohol consumption, sale, or possession is prohibited and has been so designated by signs indicating such prohibition. (1964 Code, § 27-19(19)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 15599, § 10, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. 20718-04-2013, § 1, passed 4-23-2013; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015 ; Ord. 27255-10-2024, § 6, passed 10-29-2024, eff. 11-6-2024) Cross-reference: Alcoholic beverages generally, see Ch. 4

Fort Worth City Code § 24-18 BICYCLES, ROLLER BLADES, SKATEBOARDS, AND OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT.

§ 24-18 BICYCLES, ROLLER BLADES, SKATEBOARDS, AND OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT. It shall be unlawful for any person to use a bicycle, roller blades, skateboard, or any other wheeled vehicles or equipment, whether self-propelled or motor-assisted, in designated parks or recreation areas or any portion of park or recreation areas where such use is prohibited and has been so designated by signs indicating such prohibition. (1964 Code, § 27-19(20)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1, passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord. 7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-1981; Ord. 11541, § 1(c), passed 4-12-1994; Ord. 15599, § 11, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. 27255-10-2024, § 7, passed 10-29-2024, eff. 11-6-2024)

Fort Worth City Code § 24-19 through 24-35 RESERVED.

Source: City of Fort Worth, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Zoning Ordinance (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/ftworth/latest/ftworth_tx/0-0-0-25679Fetched: 10/26/2026