Public Conduct in San Diego County, CA (2026)

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in San Diego County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of San Diego County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Skateboarding Rules

Unincorporated San Diego County bans riding or propelling a skateboard on public streets, sidewalks, alleys and plazas within a mapped zone in the historic Julian townsite, plus the adjacent Julian Cemetery District.

Julian Skateboard Ban (San Diego County)

Heavy Restrictions

San Diego County Code § 72.304

(1) It shall be unlawful: (a) for any person to ride or propel a skateboard upon any public street, sidewalk, alley or plaza within the following limits in the Julian area: ... The area described above shall include all public sidewalks along the outer perimeter. (b) It shall also be unlawful for any person to ride or propel a skateboard on or within the boundary of the area governed by the J...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Loud Party Ordinance

Anyone who owns or controls property in unincorporated San Diego County and hosts a party must take reasonable steps to stop minors from drinking or using marijuana there. Hosts who fail to act, or who let the party continue once they should know a minor is using, are liable for the Sheriff's actual enforcement costs.

San Diego County Social Host Liability Law

Significant Restrictions

San Diego County Code §§ 32.301-32.307

A person who owns or has control of private property and knowingly hosts or allows a party on the property shall take all reasonable steps to prevent the consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or marijuana by any minor at the party. Reasonable steps include, but are not limited to: (1) controlling access to alcoholic beverages and/or marijuana, (2) verifying the age of each person attending the...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Loitering Rules

Registered sex offenders cannot loiter within 300 feet of schools, child care facilities, parks, playgrounds or arcades in unincorporated San Diego County when children are present, under County Code Section 32.203.

San Diego County Registered Sex Offender Loitering Ban

Significant Restrictions

San Diego County Code § 32.203

It shall be unlawful for a registered sex offender to loiter in a public or private place located in the unincorporated area of the County that is on or within 300 feet of a public or private school for children, a child care and development facility, a park, recreation facility, playground or arcade, when children are present. Each distinct and separate instance in which a registered sex offen...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Outdoor Smoking Restrictions

Smoking or vaping is banned outright in every County park, wherever it sits, and separately prohibited within 25 feet of outdoor restaurant dining areas in unincorporated San Diego County.

San Diego County Park Smoking Ban

Heavy Restrictions

San Diego County Code § 41.118.5

It shall be unlawful for any person in a County park to carry a lighted pipe, cigar, or cigarette; to use an electronic smoking device or other smoking device, containing tobacco or any other substance; or to light, smoke, activate, or in any way use a pipe, cigar, cigarette, or electronic smoking device or other smoking device, containing tobacco or any other substance.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Public Alcohol Use

Consuming alcohol or carrying an open container is banned in designated unincorporated public places, including Julian, Fallbrook, Ramona and 10 other named areas.

San Diego County Open Container Zones

Significant Restrictions

San Diego County Code § 36.201

The purpose of this chapter is to prohibit consumption of alcoholic beverages in certain public places in the unincorporated area of the County. This chapter also prohibits open containers of alcoholic beverage on the premises of certain retail package off-sale alcoholic beverage licensees in the unincorporated area. This chapter is not intended to limit consumption of alcoholic beverages or po...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗