Skateboarding in unincorporated Santa Clara County is restricted to designated park facilities under Title M, while California Vehicle Code Section 21212 requires riders under eighteen to wear a helmet on any street, bikeway, or trail. San Jose, Sunnyvale, and other cities add downtown and plaza-specific bans.
Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation rules under Title M restrict skateboarding to designated skate facilities and prohibit use on park benches, stairs, hardscape ramps, and protected trail surfaces. On public roadways, skateboarders share the rules of the road, and California Vehicle Code Section 21212 requires a properly fitted helmet for any rider under eighteen on streets, bikeways, or public trails. San Jose Municipal Code restricts skateboarding in the downtown core and on Light Rail platforms, Sunnyvale bans it from civic plazas, and Palo Alto restricts use on University Avenue. The Sheriff and county park rangers enforce in unincorporated areas; city police enforce within municipal boundaries.
Skating in restricted park areas, on banned downtown sidewalks, or without a helmet under age eighteen is an infraction. Helmet violations under CVC 21212 carry a base fine that may be reduced if proof of helmet purchase is shown.
See how San Jose's skateboarding rules rules stack up against other locations.
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