Rochester, MN Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)

Section 9-1-6 defines the "central business district" by a specific boundary: starting at the center of the 4th Street bridge over Bear Creek, north along Bear Creek to the Zumbro River, north along the Zumbro to Second Street Northeast, west to Fourth Avenue Northwest, south to Sixth Street Southwest, east to the Zumbro River, north to the Fourth Street bridge, then east along Fourth Street Southeast back to the start. Inside that boundary, and on any public sidewalk citywide, subsection (b) bars using a skateboard, rollerblades or rollerskates on public sidewalks, in the Peace Plaza, in any public parking lot, or in any public or private structure located in the central business district.

Two carve-outs apply: the ban does not reach the bike paths along the Zumbro River, and it does not stop skateboard, rollerblade or rollerskate use as part of a demonstration or exhibition activity the common council has authorized. Subsection (c) separately protects disabled residents, exempting wheelchairs and other wheeled mobility devices from the ban on CBD sidewalks, lots and structures. Penalties escalate under subsection (d): a first or second violation is a petty misdemeanor, while any violation after that is a full misdemeanor. 10 and sits in Chapter 9-1 alongside the city's other public right-of-way conduct rules.