Simi Valley, CA Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SVMC § 4-13.02
- Age covered
- under 18
- Devices covered
- skateboards, scooters, rollerskates, rollerblades
- Helmet standard
- CPSC bicycle-helmet standard
- Where it applies
- any public/private property open to the public
- Violation
- infraction; parent/guardian also liable
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 997, eff. June 7, 2001
Summary
Riders under 18 must wear a fitted, fastened safety helmet meeting Consumer Product Safety Commission bicycle-helmet standards while skateboarding, rollerblading, rollerskating or riding a scooter anywhere open to the public in Simi Valley, under SVMC § 4-13.02. A parent or guardian who lets a minor go without one is prosecutable alongside the child; violating the rule is an infraction.
(a)It is unlawful for any person under the age of eighteen (18) to operate a skateboard, rollerblades, rollerskates, or scooter, unless that person is wearing properly fitted and fastened protective headgear. For the purpose of this section the term "protective headgear" shall mean a safety helmet that meets the established minimum safety standards for bicycle helmets of the Consumer Product Safety Commission or as these standards may subsequently be amended or defined for nonmotorized scooters, rollerskates and skateboards. The requirements of this section shall apply at all times while a person is operating a skateboard, rollerblades, rollerskates or a scooter on any public or private property open to the public or used by the public for skateboarding, rollerskating, rollerblading or riding a scooter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).
Full Breakdown
02(a) requires anyone under 18 operating a skateboard, rollerblades, rollerskates or a scooter to wear properly fitted and fastened protective headgear meeting the Consumer Product Safety Commission's minimum bicycle-helmet safety standards, or the standards as later amended for those devices specifically. 02(a) lists examples reaching well beyond skate parks: pedestrian walkways, business establishments, office complexes, shopping centers, common areas, parks, churches, and school grounds. 01 defines the covered devices broadly: 'skateboard' is any rectangular board or surface on wheels used for locomotion or sport, 'scooter' is a footboard between wheels steered by an upright handle, and 'rollerskates'/'rollerblades' cover any wheeled foot device regardless of wheel count or placement.
02(b) puts legal responsibility on a parent or guardian, defined as any adult with legal care and management of someone under 18, to require the helmet; the guardian is subject to prosecution under the section in addition to the minor. The ordinance dates to Ordinance No. 997, effective June 7, 2001, and has not been amended since.
Violations & Fines
Operating a skateboard, scooter, rollerskates or rollerblades on public or private property open to the public without properly fitted, fastened protective headgear is an infraction under SVMC § 4-13.02(c) if the rider is under 18. A parent or guardian who fails to require the helmet is separately subject to prosecution under § 4-13.02(b), in addition to any action against the minor rider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do skateboarders have to wear helmets in Simi Valley?
Where does the Simi Valley helmet rule apply?
Can a parent get in trouble if their child skateboards without a helmet?
Is skipping the skateboard helmet a serious charge?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Simi Valley
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