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San Diego, CA Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Citation
SDMC § 84.12
Roadway riding
Banned citywide
Business districts
Sidewalk/plaza riding banned
Mission Beach curfew
No riding 10pm-7am

Summary

San Diego bars skateboards, coasters, and roller skates from open roadways and from sidewalks or plazas in business districts under SDMC § 84.12, plus a nighttime riding ban for Mission Beach and the Ocean Front Walk boardwalk.

(a) It is unlawful for any person riding on roller skates or by means of a coaster, skateboard, toy vehicle, or similar device to go upon an open roadway in the City of San Diego, or upon the sidewalk or public plaza in any business district, or upon any inclined surface area of any City-owned or privately owned parkade where signs forbidding such activity are displayed at the ground level elevator entrance and at each vehicular entrance to the parkade.

Ch. Art. Div. 840 4 San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 8: Traffic and Vehicles (8-2026)

Full Breakdown

SDMC § 84.12 makes it unlawful to ride a skateboard, coaster, roller skates, or similar device on any open roadway citywide, on a sidewalk or public plaza within a business district, or on a parking-garage ramp posted with a no-skating sign. Riders on sidewalks where the activity is otherwise allowed still owe pedestrians the right of way and must ride at a safe, reasonable speed. Between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., riding is additionally barred on Mission Beach public rights-of-way and the Ocean Front Walk/Bayside Walk boardwalks, and school districts can post their own no-skating signs to bar the activity on campus.

Violations & Fines

Riding a skateboard or roller skates on an open roadway, on a business-district sidewalk or plaza, on a posted parking-garage ramp, or overnight on Mission Beach's boardwalks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skateboard on a San Diego street?
No. SDMC § 84.12(a) bars skateboards and similar devices from any open roadway in the city.
Is skateboarding banned on the Mission Beach boardwalk?
Only overnight, § 84.12(b) bars it there and on Ocean Front Walk between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Sources & Official References

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