Trespass on Zoo Grounds

San Diego Municipal Code ch. 5, art. 2, div. 60

in effect

San Diego Municipal Code § 52.6001 Declaration of Purpose

§52.6001 Declaration of Purpose The Council for the City of San Diego finds and declares that: (a) The San Diego Zoo’s animal collection contains 4,238 specimens representing 816 species and subspecies, including 1,607 mammals of 214 species and subspecies, of which 56 are endangered; 1,762 birds of 428 species and subspecies, of which 16 are endangered; and 869 reptiles and amphibians representing 174 species and subspecies, of which 6 are endangered. (b) The Wild Animal Park’s animal collection contains 3,002 specimens of 374 species and subspecies, including 1,658 mammals of 122 species, of which 38 are endangered; 1,327 birds of 243 species and subspecies, of which 11 are endangered; and 17 reptiles of 9 species and subspecies. (c) The San Diego Zoo is an officially recognized botanical garden and has special collections of more than 6,500 different species, and the Wild Animal Park’s botanical collection includes some 4,000 plant species, of which more than 260 are endangered. (d) Title to all the animals and plants, and their progeny and product, as well as all exhibits and personal property located in the San Diego Zoo, is vested in the City of San Diego. (e) Over the last several years there has been an increasing incidence of trespass on the grounds of the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park when the properties are closed to the public. (f) Trespassers may climb over one or more of the many fences, or attempt to enter buildings, on the property of the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park, bringing these intruders into contact with life–threatening carnivores, primates, large hoof stock or reptiles. (g) Trespassers may damage or injure one or more of the many animals or plants, including those that are endangered and in need of special care. (h) The reasonable restrictions found in this Division on access to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park during non– business hours will serve to protect the animals and plants maintained on these properties, as well as any trespasser, and will not unduly restrict legitimate visitors from enjoying entertainment and educational opportunities provided by the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park. (“Declaration of Purpose” added 5–26–1998 by O–18518 N.S.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 52.6002 Definitions

§52.6002 Definitions The first letter of each word or phrase defined in this division is capitalized. Except as otherwise provided, for purposes of this division. “Hours of Operation” means the period of time on any given day during which either San Diego Zoo or the Wild Animal Park is open to the public. “Person” has the same meaning as in Municipal Code section 11.0210. “San Diego Zoo” means that portion of the property, located within Balboa Park, that is maintained and operated as the San Diego Zoo by the Zoological Society of San Diego, and that is within a periphery composed of entry and exit gates, walls, fences, borders or other natural or artificial structures, that a reasonable person would know or should know to be lines of demarcation of the San Diego Zoo grounds. It does not include Zoo Drive or that portion of the property between Zoo Drive and Park Boulevard used as an automobile parking lot. “Wild Animal Park” means that portion of the property, located in the San Pasqual Valley, that is maintained and operated as the Wild Animal Park by the Zoological Society of San Diego, and that is within a periphery composed of entry and exit gates, walls, fences, borders or other natural or artificial structures, that a reasonable person would know or should know to be lines of demarcation of the Wild Animal Park grounds. (“Definitions” added 5–26–1998 by O–18518 N.S.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 52.6003 Trespass on San Diego Zoo Grounds

§52.6003 Trespass on San Diego Zoo Grounds Except as provided in Section 52.6005: (a) It is unlawful for any Person to gain or attempt to gain admittance to the San Diego Zoo during its Hours of Operation by any means other than through the entrance gates used for access by the public, and upon presentation of a valid ticket, voucher, membership card, or pass. (b) It is unlawful for any Person to enter or attempt to enter the San Diego Zoo at any time other than during its Hours of Operation. (c) It is unlawful for any Person to remain in the San Diego Zoo after its Hours of Operation. (d) It is unlawful for any Person to enter or attempt to enter any area within the San Diego Zoo not open to the public. (“Trespass on San Diego Zoo Grounds” added 5–26–1998 by O–18518 N.S.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 52.6004 Trespass on the Wild Animal Park Grounds

§52.6004 Trespass on the Wild Animal Park Grounds Except as provided in Section 56.6005: (a) It is unlawful for any Person to gain or attempt to gain admittance to the Wild Animal Park during its Hours of Operation by any means other than through the entrance gates used for access by the public, and upon presentation of a valid ticket, voucher, membership card, or pass. (b) It is unlawful for any Person to enter or attempt to enter the Wild Animal Park at any time other than during its Hours of Operation. (c) It is unlawful for any Person to remain in the Wild Animal Park after its Hours of Operation. (d) It is unlawful for any Person to enter or attempt to enter any area within the Wild Animal Park not open to the public. (“Trespass on the Wild Animal Park Grounds” added 5–26–1998 by O–18518 N.S.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 52.6005 Exceptions

§52.6005 Exceptions Sections 52.6003 and 52.6004 do not apply to the following Persons: (a) Any employees, agents or officers of the Zoological Society of San Diego acting within the scope of his or her employment. (b) Any employee of the City of San Diego who is acting within the scope of his or her employment. (c) Any Person attending a private party, function, or event, upon the grounds of the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park, authorized by the Zoological Society of San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, or the Wild Animal Park. (d) Any Person to whom the Zoological Society of San Diego has given written authorization to enter or remain in the San Diego Zoo or Wild Animal Park for a specific purpose. (“Exceptions” added 5–26–1998 by O–18518 N.S.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 52.6006 Enforcement Authority

§52.6006 Enforcement Authority The Chief of Police, or any other Director authorized by the City Manager, is authorized to administer and enforce the provisions of this Division. The Chief of Police may exercise any enforcement powers as provided in Division 1, Article 2 of Chapter 1 of this Code. (“Enforcement Authority” added 5–26–1998 by O–18518 N.S.)

San Diego Municipal Code § 52.6007 Enforcement Remedies

§52.6007 Enforcement Remedies Violations of this Division may be prosecuted as misdemeanors subject to the fines and custody provided in Municipal Code Section 12.0201. The Chief of Police may also seek injunctive relief and civil penalties in the Superior Court pursuant to Municipal Code Section 12.0202 or pursue any administrative remedy provided in Chapter 1 of this Code. (“Enforcement Remedies” added 5–26–1998 by O–18518 N.S.)

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/MuniCodeChapter05/Ch05Art02Division60.pdf#page=1Fetched: 10/28/2026