Modesto, CA Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited locations
- Roadways, City lots/structures, business sidewalks
- Also covered
- Transportation Center, Amtrak Station
- School property
- Modesto City, Sylvan Unified, Empire Union
- Exception
- Council-approved organized skating events
- Ordinance
- No. 3716-C.S., eff. 3-12-20
Summary
Modesto bans skateboarding, roller skating and similar coasting devices on any roadway, City-owned parking lot or structure, the Transportation Center, the Amtrak station, business-district sidewalks, and any Modesto City, Sylvan Unified or Empire Union school property. The City Council can still approve organized skating events by resolution.
It shall be unlawful for any person upon roller skates or riding on or by means of a skateboard, coaster or similar device to go upon any roadway in the City or in any City-owned parking lot or City-owned parking structure or in the City of Modesto Transportation Center or in the City of Modesto Amtrak Station or upon the sidewalk in any business district as defined by Section 235 of the Vehicle Code of the State of California or any property of the Modesto City School District, Sylvan Unified School District or Empire Union School District. Provided, however, the Council may, by resolution, grant approval for the use of roadways, City-owned parking lots, City-owned parking structures, and sidewalks for organized skating events of community-wide interest and importance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 71).
Full Breakdown
806 makes it unlawful for any person on roller skates, or riding a skateboard, coaster or similar device, to go upon any roadway in the City, any City-owned parking lot or parking structure, the Modesto Transportation Center, the Modesto Amtrak Station, or the sidewalk in any business district as defined by Vehicle Code Section 235. The same prohibition reaches any property of the Modesto City School District, Sylvan Unified School District or Empire Union School District, covering campuses well beyond downtown commercial blocks. The section carves out one path back: the City Council may, by resolution, approve the use of roadways, City-owned parking lots, City-owned parking structures and sidewalks for organized skating events of community-wide interest and importance, and the Director of Public Works (or a designee) may separately approve City park parking lots for that same kind of organized event.
When granting that approval, the Council or the Director can attach conditions, restrictions and requirements to protect the public interest. Outside of an approved event, the ban applies regardless of skill level or intent, and it sits within the same Vehicle and Traffic Code chapter, adopted by Ordinance No. , effective March 12, 2020, that governs sidewalk riding generally.
Violations & Fines
A skateboarder or roller skater cited under Section 3-2.806 faces the general Title 1 penalty in Section 1-2.01: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $1,000 and up to a year in county jail, or, if the City Attorney elects to charge it as an infraction, a fine up to $500 with no jail time. Police officers and code enforcement staff with arrest authority under Penal Code Section 836.5 can issue a notice to appear for an observed violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skateboard on a downtown Modesto sidewalk?
Is skateboarding banned on school grounds too?
Can a skate event ever be held on a closed Modesto street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Modesto
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