National City, CA Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)

Two separate parts of the National City Municipal Code govern skateboarding, and they apply to different places. Chapter 11.64, Mobility Devices, in Title 11 (Vehicles and Traffic), covers the street network. Chapter 10.53 covers the city's skateboard park and bars skateboarding elsewhere in city parks and recreational facilities.

Under § 11.64.010(A), it is unlawful for any person upon a skateboard, roller skates, a coaster, a scooter or any similar toy vehicle or device to enter and travel upon, along or across any roadway within the city. The wording covers crossing a street as well as riding along it. Under subsection (B), a person on any of those devices on a sidewalk or right-of-way not open to public vehicular traffic must exercise due caution, yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and not interfere with them.

Section 10.53.020 prohibits skateboarding in city parks and recreational facilities unless specifically authorized in areas designated by the chapter and as further designated by resolution of the City Council. The city designates and maintains as its skateboard park the area within Kimball Park where the basketball and tennis courts are sited, bounded by a fence and a sign designating it as a city skateboard park.

Inside the park, § 10.53.030 makes it unlawful to ride, operate or use a skateboard or other wheeled recreational device unless the person wears a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, in serviceable condition. Other wheeled recreational devices include non-motorized bicycles, scooters, in-line skates and wheelchairs (§ 10.53.015). Section 10.53.040 adds a list of prohibited acts: riding on wet surfaces, having food or beverages, entering under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs, using or possessing glass containers, hazing, bullying, pushing or fighting, and riding with more than one rider on a device at one time. It also carries over the park rules in § 10.52.010.

The city must post signs at the park stating that it is not supervised, that use is hazardous and at the user's own risk, and that the Municipal Code requires a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads (§ 10.53.050).