DeKalb County, GA Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Unincorporated DeKalb County roadways
- Covered devices
- Skates, coasters, similar wheeled devices
- Roadway use
- Only while crossing at crosswalk
- Citation
- Code of Ordinances § 17-264(a)
Summary
Unincorporated DeKalb County bars anyone on roller skates or riding coasters, toy vehicles or similar devices from roadways except at a marked crosswalk, treating them as pedestrians with the same rights and duties while crossing.
No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coasters, toy vehicles or similar devices, shall go upon any roadway except while crossing a street on a crosswalk, and when so coasting such person shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to pedestrians. This section shall not apply upon any street while set aside as a play street.(b)It shall be unlawful for persons so skating or riding to gather in crowds, or to create noise or be guilty of any disorderly conduct, or to take hold of or hang onto any automobile or other vehicle, or in any way to interfere with the natural progress of automobiles or other vehicles along and in the streets of the county, or for two (2) or more persons to join hands while skating on the sidewalk. Any person so skating or riding shall give right-of-way to, and in no way interfere with, persons walking on the sidewalks.(c)Any person violating any provision of this section shall be subject to the penalties provided for violation of this chapter; provided, however, that an offender under the age of seventeen (17) years shall be dealt with as provided by O.C.G.A. tit. 15, ch. 11 [§ 15-11-1 et seq.]. The parent of any child and the guardian of the person or any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit such child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this section. (Code 1976, § 8-11015)
Full Breakdown
Section 17-264, part of Chapter 17's miscellaneous traffic rules, prohibits roller skates, coasters, toy vehicles and 'similar devices', the code's catch-all for wheeled recreational devices, which reaches skateboards, from public roadways except while crossing at a crosswalk, where riders are treated as pedestrians. It separately bars riders from gathering in crowds, hanging onto vehicles, creating noise or joining hands while skating on sidewalks.
Violations & Fines
A violation is punishable under Chapter 17's general penalties; riders under 17 are handled under Georgia's juvenile code, O.C.G.A. tit. 15, ch. 11, and parents may not knowingly permit a minor to violate the section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride a skateboard on the street in unincorporated DeKalb County?
What happens if a minor is cited under DeKalb's skating rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in DeKalb County
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