Richland, WA Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)

Chapter 11.50 of the Richland Municipal Code, Skateboards/Skating, defines the "uptown shopping area" in RMC § 11.50.010 as the district bounded by the east sidewalk border of Jadwin Avenue, the north sidewalk border of Williams Boulevard, the west sidewalk border of George Washington Way, and the south sidewalk border of Symons Street. Within that boundary, RMC § 11.50.020 flatly bars riding a skateboard, roller skates, in-line skates or a scooter on any sidewalk, regardless of speed or care. The rule interacts with two neighboring sections: RMC § 11.50.050 separately prohibits bicycle riding on interior sidewalks adjacent to buildings in the same uptown area, while RMC § 11.50.030 reaches skateboards, roller skates, in-line skates and scooters citywide whenever operated in a negligent manner, defined in RMC § 11.50.010 as operation likely to endanger a person or property, on any public roadway, sidewalk or publicly owned parking lot.

RMC § 11.50.040 additionally requires anyone riding these devices to obey official traffic control signals, signs and devices just as a vehicle must, unless a law enforcement officer directs otherwise on the scene. The Richland Police Department enforces the chapter, which the city council adopted by Ordinance 30-96 and amended by Ordinance 27-10 § 1.03.