Park Regulations
Introduction of Ordinance No. 4273
Amending HBMC Chapter 13.48
February 21, 2023
Background
Community and Library Services and Police Department staff have been contacted by community members regarding activities impacting our public parks.
While evaluating these community concerns, staff examined existing regulations and recommended several changes to enhance public safety, reduce hazards, protect the environment, and promote a safe and welcoming parks system.
Proposed Ordinance 4273
Makes park regulations consistent with beach regulations requiring all unpermitted tents to have at least 2 sides remain completely open to public view. This will prevent prohibited acts (ie. lewd conduct, drinking in public or narcotics use) within parks.
Permits the safe use of portable stoves, barbeques, and installed fire rings in public parks, while reducing risks of personal injury burns and fire hazards, especially during periods of extreme fire hazard. Similar regulations exist for beaches; this ordinance would make them consistent for parks.
Unless permitted by the Director of Community and Library services or their designee, requires vehicles to park within a single stall in no-fee parking lots, prohibits personal property from being unattended in lots and requires head-in parking to prevent obstructions that can prevent the use of parking stalls and create hazards, impacting access to our public park facilities.
Recommendation
Approve for Introduction Ordinance No. 4273, “An Ordinance of the City of Huntington Beach Amending Title 13 of Huntington Beach Municipal Code relating to parking lot and camping regulations in public parks, and making a finding of exemption under CEQA.