Public Conduct in Contra Costa County, CA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Contra Costa County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Skateboarding Rules
Unincorporated Contra Costa County bans skateboards, coasters and toy vehicles from highways, roadways, sidewalks and parking structures inside any commercial area the Board of Supervisors has designated and signposted under Chapter 46-12. The Sheriff's Office enforces the ban, which only takes effect once warning signs are erected in that specific business district, not countywide.
Contra Costa County Skateboard Business-District Ban
Significant RestrictionsContra Costa County Ordinance Code §§ 46-12.204, 46-12.208, 46-12.402
46-12.204 - Commercial area. "Commercial area" means any area contained within districts zoned C-B community business, N-B neighborhood business (including its planned district), R-B retail business, C general commercial, and P-1 planned unit designated commercial areas. 46-12.208 - Sign-posted commercial area. "Sign-posted commercial area" is any commercial area designated by resolution of the...
Loud Party Ordinance
Hosting or allowing a gathering of three or more people under 21 where alcohol is present or being consumed on property you control is a misdemeanor in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The Social Host Ordinance holds property owners, renters, and anyone controlling the premises liable, punishable by up to six months in county jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
Contra Costa County Social Host Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsContra Costa County Ordinance Code § 54-3.008(a)-(c)
(a)No person shall suffer, permit, allow, or host a gathering at the person's place of residence or other private property under the person's control where three or more persons under the age of twenty-one are present and where alcoholic beverages are in the possession of, or are being consumed by, any person under the age of twenty-one.(b)A violation of this chapter is a misdemeanor, punishabl...
Loitering Rules
No one may loiter, stand, or sit on a public street, alley, sidewalk or crosswalk in unincorporated Contra Costa County if doing so blocks the free passage of people or vehicles, or annoys or molests passersby. Section 54-8.002 is the county's general obstruction and loitering rule, prosecuted as a misdemeanor under Section 51-4.404.
Contra Costa County Public Way Obstruction Ban
Some RestrictionsContra Costa County Ordinance Code § 54-8.002; § 51-4.404
No person shall loiter, stand, or sit in or on any public highway, alley, sidewalk, or crosswalk so as to hinder or obstruct in any manner the free passage of persons or vehicles or to annoy or molest passing persons. ... Notwithstanding Section 14-8.002 of this code, violations of this Title 5 are misdemeanors, except violations of Chapter 54-10 (Rewards), Chapter 54-14 (Open Alcohol Container...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Unincorporated Contra Costa County bans smoking, including vaping and marijuana smoke, in a long list of outdoor public spaces: parks, trails, event venues, outdoor restaurant and bar dining areas, and within twenty feet of doors and air intakes on enclosed public places and workplaces. The secondhand smoke ordinance also reaches multi-unit housing common areas, balconies, and patios, enforced by County Health Services.
Contra Costa County Outdoor Smoking Ban
Significant RestrictionsContra Costa County Ordinance Code § 445-4.004
Smoking is prohibited in the following places within the unincorporated area of Contra Costa County: (a)Enclosed places of employment.(b)Enclosed public places.(c)Service areas.(d)All areas within twenty feet of doors, windows, air ducts, and ventilation systems of enclosed places of employment, except while passing on the way to another destination.(e)All areas within twenty feet of doors, win...
Public Alcohol Use
No one may drink, exhibit, or carry an open container of alcohol on any street, sidewalk, alley, park, parking lot or other public place in unincorporated Contra Costa County, or within 15 feet of a public way while on a private driveway or stairway open to public view. Violating Chapter 54-16 is an infraction enforced by the sheriff's office.
Contra Costa County Public Open Container Ban
Some RestrictionsContra Costa County Ordinance Code § 54-16.002(a)-(b)
(a)No person shall consume, drink, exhibit or possess an open container of any alcoholic beverage in any quantity on any public street, avenue, boulevard, sidewalk, way, alley, thoroughfare, public parking lot or private parking lot open to the public, park, playground, or other public facility within the unincorporated area of the county of Contra Costa.(b)No person shall consume, drink, exhib...
Public Conduct by City in Contra Costa County
3 cities in Contra Costa County have their own public conduct rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Contra Costa County ordinances
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