TITLE 13 Rules and Regulations

Whenever used in this chapter:
A. "Amplified sound" means speech or music projected or transmitted by electronic equipment, including amplifiers, loudspeakers, microphones, bull horns or similar devices or combinations of devices, which is intended to increase the volume, range, distance or intensity of speech or music and are powered by electricity, battery or combustible fuel.
B. "Director" refers to the parks and recreation director for the county, his or her delegate or authorized representative.
C. "Park" includes all grounds, roadways, avenues, parks, buildings and school facilities, under the management, care and control of the parks and recreation department.
D. "Parks and Recreation Committee" refers to the Douglas County parks and recreation advisory committee.
E. "Permit" means an approved application for use of any park, or portion of a park as provided for and defined in this chapter.
F. "Non-park facilities" include all facilities under the management, care or control of the parks and recreation department, which are not specifically designed or used primarily for recreation activity. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

A. The provisions of this chapter apply to all parks, and non-park facilities. These provisions govern the use of all parks and the observance of these provisions is a condition under which the public may use the parks and non-park facilities.
B. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to any public officer, employee or peace officer who is acting within the course and scope of the public business or pursuant to lawful authority. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

A. No person shall enter, be or remain in any park or non-park facility of the county unless that person complies with this code and the regulations established here.
B. The director is authorized to eject and expel from any park any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or any other law, ordinance or rule.
C. No person being ejected or expelled under the provisions of this chapter shall refuse to leave any park or non-park facility as ordered nor shall the person return to the park or non-park facility within a minimum of twenty-four hours of the ejection or expulsion without the permission of the director. Violation of this section will be considered a trespass, as stated in section 13.04.300. (Ord. 1395, 2013; Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

In the event of an emergency or the determination by the sheriff or the director that the public interest, health, welfare and safety requires that any park or non-park facility or any portion must be closed to the public, all persons may be excluded, park usage rules or conditions of application may be modified, until the emergency, or the basis for the sheriff's, or director's determination has ceased. Upon cessation, the park or non-park facility shall be reopened to the public. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

No person shall hold, conduct, participate in, attend or address any meeting, organized gathering or assemblage, group picnic, celebration, parade, service or exercise involving 25 or more persons in any park without acquiring a permit from the director as provided in this chapter. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

Any person applying for a park permit under this chapter shall file an application for the permit with the director in accordance with parks and recreation department policy. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

The application shall contain, but not be limited to:
A. The name of each applicant, the sponsoring organization and the person who is in charge of, or responsible for, the proposed activity;
B. The business and residence addresses and telephone numbers of each person and entity named in subsection A;
C. The park or portion being applied for;
D. The starting date and time of the proposed activity, including setup;
E. The finishing date and time of the proposed activity, including cleanup;
F. The number of persons expected;
G. Additional county services requested including personnel, equipment, etc.;
H. The nature of the proposed activity or activities, including equipment and vehicles to be brought into the park, the nature and duration of the use of the equipment, and the nature and duration of any amplified sound;
I. Provision for security, if required;
J. Whether or not alcohol will be served or sold;
K. If required, provision of insurance verification naming the county as additional-insured, in an amount acceptable by the director for the proposed event. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

A. The director shall respond to each complete application on or before ten days after filing of the application.
B. The director shall grant the application when it complies with the conditions set forth by the director, including but not limited to the following:
1. The requested activity is consistent and compatible with property and appropriate park uses at the location for which the application is made;
2. The requested activity is reasonable and will not interfere with other areas, or portions of the parks not reserved in the application;
3. The requested activity will comply with the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of any other applicable statute, law, rule or regulation;
4. The requested activity is not reasonably anticipated to incite riot, violence or criminal or disorderly conduct;
5. The requested activity will not require the diversion of so many peace officers of the county to properly police the park as to hinder police protection to the county;
6. The requested activity will not impose an unreasonable or burdensome expense to the county; expenses incurred in support of the proposed activity, such as overtime or other unanticipated expenses, may be assessed in addition to the facility use fee;
7. The applicant agrees to comply with any and all reasonable conditions and requirements concerning the use of the park or portion of the park as imposed by the director upon granting any permit;
8. The applicant agrees to inform all participants in the proposed activity of all conditions and requirements of use imposed by the director;
9. The requested activity will be reviewed for health, welfare, and safety concerns; which may result in denial of the application;
C. The director may deny any park application if any of the conditions, standards and guidelines set forth in this chapter, and department policies and procedures are not satisfied. Any denial must specify the grounds for the denial. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

An applicant may appeal the decision of the director to the board of county commissioners. Within five days of the director's notification of the decision, the applicant must file a notice of appeal in to the director stating the grounds for the appeal. The board of county commissioners shall hold a hearing at the next possible regularly scheduled meeting with respect to the appeal at which time the applicant may present any and all evidence, testimony, and information relevant to the application. The board of county commissioners shall specify its grounds for affirming or denial. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

Fees and charges required shall be as established by the director. Applicant must pay a non-refundable processing fee, use fees and deposit, in accordance with the fees and deposit schedule as outlined in the Programs and Facilities Manual. (Ord. 1395, 2013; Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

Any applicant to whom an exclusive use permit has been granted must agree in writing to hold the county harmless and indemnify the county from any and all liability for injury to persons or property occurring as a result of the activity sponsored by the applicant and that person shall be liable to the county for any and all damage to parks and non-park facilities of any persons involved as a result of the permit. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

If an admission fee is charged for attendance at the requested activity, or contributions will be solicited, or a collection taken up at the requested activity, the application for a permit shall expressly state the proposal. No person shall charge any admission fee or solicit contributions or take up any collection at or for any activity unless a provision allowing it is included in a permit issued under this chapter. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

Violation of any of the terms and conditions of the permit, or facility rules, by the applicant, or any agent, servant or employee of the applicant, may constitute loss of deposit, additional fees, and/or an infraction. (Ord. 1395, 2013; Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

Amplified sound is prohibited unless permission is authorized by the director. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

A. The director has the power to promulgate rules and regulations governing the use and enjoyment by the public and by individual members of the public of any park or non-park facility. Any rules or regulations must be approved by the board of county commissioners and must be posted in some conspicuous place at or near the premises where the rules and regulations are to be effective or, signs or notices may be posted at or near the premises in order to give public notice of the rules and regulations.
B. No person shall disobey, violate, or fail to comply with any rule or regulation, or fail to pay any fee, or fail to comply with any verbal instruction from a duly authorized county representative with respect to any rule or regulation. (Ord. 1395, 2013; Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 419 §1, 1983; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

A. No person who owns, harbors, keeps or who has possession, charge, care, custody or control of any dog, except a guide dog with its master, shall cause, permit, or allow the dog to enter or remain in any park. This prohibition does not apply to any person participating in an activity being conducted under the sponsorship of, or pursuant to the express permission of the director. This section does not apply to Topaz Lake Park, the Douglas County Fairgrounds, Bike Paths outside developed parks, lake and river access areas, or underdeveloped park sites posted to allow dogs.
B. No person who owns, harbors, keeps, or who has possession, charge, care, custody or control of any dog, whether licensed or not, shall allow or permit the dog to be within the confines of Topaz Lake Park, the Douglas County Fairgrounds, bike paths outside developed parks, lake and river access areas, or underdeveloped park sites posted to allow dogs, except when controlled under a leash of 10 feet or less, by an able-bodied person.
C. Persons who own, harbor, keep, or who have possession, charge, care, custody or control of any dog, whether licensed or not, may allow or permit the dog to be off leash as allowed within any facility or portion of a facility designated as a Dog Park. (Ord. 1395, 2013; Ord. 1057, 2003; Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 285 §1, 1978; Ord. 267 §1 (part), 1977)

A. No person shall operate or park any vehicle as defined in NRS, within a park or non-park facility except in areas designated specifically for that use.
B. The director may post reduced speed zones within the boundaries of the county parks when necessary for the safety of children, pedestrians or other traffic. All driver's shall use due care while driving within the boundaries of the county parks. (Ord. 1395, 2013; Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267, 1977)

No person shall operate, drive, or ride upon any bicycle, cycle, skate board, in-line skates, horse or any other animal in any park except in areas designated specifically for that use, or participating in a department sponsored program. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 267, 1977)

Persons shall not lead, drive or let loose any animal or fowl of any kind in any park or non-park facility, unless designated for that use. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267, 1977)

No person within any park or non-park facility shall deposit or leave any garbage, trash, cans, bottles, papers or refuse of any nature except in the receptacles provided for that purpose. Trash receptacles are designated for trash generated as a result of park use. Any other use, such as commercial or residential generated trash, is prohibited. (Ord. 1395, 2013; Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267, 1977)

A. No person other than a duly authorized county employee in the performance of their duties or persons participating in county-sponsored activities may dig, remove, destroy, injure, mutilate or cut any tree, plant, shrub, bloom or flower, or any portion of it, growing in any park or non-park facility.
B. No person may take, seize, molest, injure, catch or hunt any bird, reptile, or animal in any park.
C. Fishing is permitted in County parks, subject to NRS and Nevada Division of Wildlife regulations. (Ord. 1254, 2008; Ord. 824, 1998; Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267, 1977)

No person other than a duly authorized county employee in the performance of their duty shall disturb or remove any wood, turf, grass, soil, rock, sand or gravel from any park or non-park facility, except in designated areas. (Ord. 1395, 2013; Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267, 1977)

No person other than a duly authorized county employee in the performance of their duty shall:
A. Cut, break, injure, deface or disturb any rock, building, cage, pen, monument, sign, fence, bench, structure, apparatus, equipment or property in a park or non-park facility.
B. Mark or place in any park, or non-park facility, writing, printing, or painting;
C. Attach any sign, card, display or other similar device, except as authorized by the director. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267, 1977)

No person shall light or maintain any fire in any park or non-park facility unless the fire is lighted and maintained only in a grill or fire circle provided for that purpose. Charcoal or wood fires are not allowed, except in areas designated for that use. The charcoal or wood remains must be disposed of properly. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267, 1977)

No person within any park or non-park facility shall use or attempt to interfere with the use of any table, space or facility within the park or non-park facility which at the time is scheduled for a departmental use or reserved for any other person which has received a permit from the director. Unless the actual use of the table, space, area, building or facility referred to in any permit is commenced within one hour after the period covered by the permit begins, the permit shall be void and all rights under the permit may be canceled by the director. Persons wishing to use park or non-park facilities without an exclusive use permit, excluding indoor or gated facilities, may do so on a first come, first serve basis. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 267, 1977)

No person within any park or non-park facility shall carry or discharge any firecracker, rocket, roman candle, sparkler or any other hazardous fireworks. (Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 267, 1977)

No person within any park shall swim, bathe, wade in, or pollute the water of any fountain, pond, lake or stream except at places designated for that purpose. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267, 1977)

No person shall camp, lodge or otherwise remain overnight in any park or non-park facility except at a place designated for that purpose. Camping fees are due and payable upon entrance to any camp site or place where overnight camping is permitted. (Ord. 1395, 2013; Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 267, 1977)

No person may enter a park or non-park facility, unless they comply with the provisions of this chapter, and the specific facility rules. (Ord. 1395, 2013; Ord. 752, 1996)

No person shall wash any article or dispose of any wastewater or other waste liquid in any park or non-park facility other than in facilities provided for that purpose. (Ord. 752, 1996)

No person shall possess any glass container in any area of the parks or non-park facility, except those containers holding foodstuffs or substances used in the preparation of the meal to be consumed on the park site or except as provided in section 5.08.010 et seq. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267, 1977)

No person within any park or non-park facility shall engage in model airplane flying, golfing, participate in archery, baseball, softball, football, soccer, volleyball, shooting or target practice, or any similar games or activities of a possibly hazardous nature except at places designated for those purposes. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 267, 1977)

No person shall disturb any picnic, meeting, service, concert, exercise, exhibition or a duly authorized county employee in the performance of their duty, in any park or non-park facility. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267, 1977)

No person within any park or non-park facility shall distribute any handbill, flyer, paper or advertising device without prior approval from the director. Distribution or collection of petitions is allowed only in designated public places per NRS 293.127565. (Ord. 1395, 2013; Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267, 1977)

No parent, guardian, or other person having the care, custody or control of any child under the age of eight years shall cause, permit or allow the child to be in any park or non-park facility area unless the child is accompanied, within 100 feet, by a person of not less than sixteen years of age, maintaining constant visual contact. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267, 1977)

Any violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute an infraction. (Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 267, 1977)

A. The director may appoint a person to serve as park ranger.
B. Park rangers may be employed by Douglas County. They must be insured by the county and bonded in. Those persons named as park rangers must be sworn by and file an oath with the county clerk .
C. The powers of park rangers are limited to provisions of this chapter and NRS. (Ord. 1395,2013; Ord. 1254, 2008; Ord. 752, 1996; Ord. 492, 1990; Ord. 287, 1978)