Madera, CA Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Streets with sidewalks
- riding banned (§ 3-14.03(A))
- Business-district buffer
- 20 feet from an open shop entrance
- Designated skate park
- Rotary Park only
- Closed street
- Gateway Ave, Cleveland Ave to Fresno River Bridge
- Night riding gear
- light/reflective gear 30 min after sunset
- Penalty
- infraction under § 1-2.01 (§ 3-14.08)
Summary
Madera bans skateboards, in-line skates, roller skates and scooters on any street with a parallel sidewalk, confines skate-park riding to Rotary Park, closes a stretch of Gateway Avenue outright, and bars riding within 20 feet of an open shop or store entrance.
§ 3-14.03 USE AND OPERATION. ... (A) Except as otherwise specifically allowed in this chapter, no person shall use or operate a skateboard, common roller skates, in-line skates, or a scooter on a public or private street, trail or alley in the city if there is a sidewalk adjacent and parallel to the street, trail or alley. ... (F) No person shall use or operate a skateboard, common roller skates, in-line skates, or scooter within 20 feet of the entrance to any shop, store, or commercial building while such shop, store, or commercial building is open for business.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2024 S-50: Current through Ordinance 1010 C.S., passed 6-5-24).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 14 covers all streets, alleys, sidewalks and rights-of-way in the city, public or private, plus other city-owned property. 03(A) forbids using a skateboard, roller skates, in-line skates or a scooter on a street, trail or alley that has an adjacent, parallel sidewalk; where no sidewalk exists, riders must stay as far right as practicable and travel with traffic. Subsection (B) confines skateboard use in Rotary Park to its designated skate park, and subsection (C) closes Gateway Avenue between Cleveland Avenue and the Fresno River Bridge to riding entirely.
Subsection (D) bars use on benches, curbs, retaining walls, stairs, rails or similar street furniture. Subsection (F) is the business-district rule: no riding within 20 feet of the entrance to any open shop, store or commercial building. Subsection (G) bans portable ramps and jumps on any public property outright, and on private property without the owner's consent. Subsection (I) requires a light or reflective gear or clothing for riding more than half an hour after sunset or before sunrise, except in the designated skate park.
Subsection (J) lets any property owner post signs banning the activity, enforceable by the Madera Police Department. 05 separately requires a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads in the designated skate park once a warning sign is posted. Motorized scooters meeting Cal. Veh. 5 and operated under Cal. Veh. Code §§ 21200-21235 are exempt from the whole chapter.
Violations & Fines
Section 3-14.08 makes any Chapter 14 violation punishable as an infraction under the citywide default penalty, § 1-2.01, and separately grounds for immediate removal from a designated or posted skating area, regardless of whether a citation is also issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skateboard on Madera sidewalks or downtown streets?
Where is skateboarding actually allowed in Madera?
What's the penalty for violating the skateboard ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera
California rules heatmap·Compare Madera to another location·View the California public conduct overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.