ORDINANCE NO.
UPDATING THE RULES OF CONDUCT IN PARKS AND OTHER PUBLIC AREAS WHEREAS, the City of Cotati has adopted a variety of rules of conduct for parks and other public areas over many years, as codified in various chapters of the municipal code; and WHEREAS, the rules of conduct for parks are generally posted at the primary entry to the City parks, many of which are outdated and need to be revisited with the updated facilities in the parks; and
WHEREAS, the City has created a uniform signage program, generally known as the wayfinding signage program and the City Council intended to extend this signage type into all public spaces, including City parks; and
WHEREAS, City staff reviewed the existing signage in all City parks and used this existing baseline to develop proposed changes to the municipal code to provide consistency in the rules, allowing the City to better address nuisance issues in City parks; and WHEREAS, where it can be determined with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA review. This general rule can be applied to activities which could be subject to the CEQA process, but which logic dictates should not be subject to CEQA review. Therefore, based on the information provided above, the proposed ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 14.03.021 of the CEQA Guidelines in that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant impact on the environment.
NOW THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COTATI DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: Recitals.
The foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated into the findings herein.
SECTION 2: Amendment to the Cotati Municipal Code.
1. Chapter 4.04 (Fees for Use of City Facilities) is hereby amended as indicated in Exhibit A, attached to this ordinance.
2. Chapter 7.12 (Licensing and Keeping of Dogs and Cats) is hereby amended as indicated in Exhibit B, attached to this ordinance.
3. Chapter 7.24 (Animal Restrictions) is hereby amended as indicated in Exhibit C, attached to this ordinance.
4. Chapter 7.28 (Dogs in Parks During Festivals) is hereby amended as indicated in Exhibit D, attached to this ordinance.
5. Chapter 9.33 (Public Urination, Defecation and Exposure) is hereby amended as indicated in Exhibit E, attached to this ordinance.
6. Chapter 9.36 (Conduct in Parks, Plazas, Streets and Sidewalks and Other Places) is hereby amended as indicated in Exhibit F, attached to this ordinance.
7. Chapter 9.40 (Obstructing Streets and Sidewalks) is hereby amended as indicated in Exhibit G, attached to this ordinance.
SECTION 3: Compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
Where it can be determined with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA review.
This general rule can be applied to activities which could be subject to the CEQA process, but which logic dictates should not be subject to CEQA review. Therefore, based on the information provided above, the proposed ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 14.03.021 of the CEQA Guidelines in that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant impact on the environment.
SECTION 4: Construction and Severability.
It is the intent of the City Council of the City of Cotati to supplement applicable state and federal law and not to duplicate or contradict such law, and this ordinance shall be construed consistently with that intent. If any section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance, or its application to any person or circumstance, is for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases of this ordinance, or its application to any other person or circumstance. The City Council of the City of Cotati hereby declares that it would have adopted each section, subsection, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase hereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more other sections, subsections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases hereof be declared invalid or unenforceable.
SECTION 5: Effective Date.
This ordinance shall take effect thirty (30) days after its adoption, pursuant to the California Government Code.
SECTION 6: Publication.
The City Clerk shall cause this ordinance to be published and/or posted as required in Section 36933 of the California Government Code.
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the foregoing ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cotati held on October 14, 2025, by the following vote, to wit:
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the foregoing ordinance was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Cotati held on October 28, 2025, by the following vote, to wit:
RESULT:
MOVER:
SECONDER:
AYES:
Approved:___________________________
Mayor
Attest:______________________________
Kevin Patterson, Deputy City Clerk
Approved as to form:
______________________________
City Attorney
This document is a true and correct copy of Ordinance Number ### and has been published or posted pursuant to law. California Government Code § 40806
______________________________
Kevin Patterson, Deputy City Clerk