Ridgecrest, CA Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- § 14-1
- Penalty
- Infraction
- Applies to
- Posted business lots/sidewalks
- Sign size required
- 17 by 22 inches minimum
Summary
Ridgecrest bars racing, trick riding, and figure-eight patterns on skateboards, roller skates, or bicycles in posted business parking lots and adjacent sidewalks, and requires riders to yield to pedestrians; violators face an infraction citation.
No person shall enter or travel upon a skateboard, roller skates, coaster, bicycle or similar vehicle upon any private parking lot open to the public or shopping area consisting of one or more business or sidewalk adjacent to such a parking lot or within such an area, and engage in racing, exhibition of tricks or ride in repetitive patterns, including, but not limited to, riding back and forth and riding in circles and figure-eights.(2)Any person upon a skateboard, roller skates, a coaster, bicycle or any similar vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to and not interfere with pedestrian traffic.(b)Signing. Signs shall be posted in a conspicuous place at each entrance to and upon any business or off-street parking facility business or area of a size not less than 17 by 22 inches, with white background with black lettering not less than one inch in height, stating that the off-street parking facility or business area is subject to this provision. The city police department telephone number shall also be affixed to the sign.(c)Penalties. Any violation of this provision is an infraction. (Code 1980, §§ 4-21.101—4-21.103; Ord. No. 89-20, § 21; Ord. No. 90-01, § 21)
State Law reference— Authority to regulate roller skating, skateboards, etc., Vehicle Code §§ 21967, 21969.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6).
Full Breakdown
Ridgecrest prohibits skateboarding, roller-skating, and bicycling that involves racing, trick riding, or repetitive patterns like figure-eights within any private parking lot open to the public or business/shopping area, and on sidewalks adjacent to those areas. Riders must yield to pedestrians at all times. The rule only applies where the property owner has posted a required sign, at least 17 by 22 inches, white background, black lettering at least one inch tall, plus the police department's phone number, at each entrance. Violations are cited as an infraction.
Violations & Fines
Violating the skateboard/bicycle restriction in a properly posted business area or parking lot is an infraction under Ridgecrest City Code § 14-1(c), enforced by the Ridgecrest Police Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skateboard on a Ridgecrest sidewalk?
Does the ban apply to all bike riding near shops?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ridgecrest
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