St. Petersburg, FL Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 20-80
- Street riding
- Banned except crosswalk crossings
- Helmet mandate
- Required under 17 on sidewalks
- Skate park exception
- Damage rule doesn't apply there
- Parent liability
- Applies if knowingly permitted
- Last amended
- Ord. No. 127-H, 8-28-2014
Summary
St. Petersburg bans skateboarding on City streets except to cross at a crosswalk, in public parking garages and their ramps, on disability access ramps, on any property posted with a two-inch-lettered "No Skateboarding" sign, and on private property without the owner's or tenant's permission. Section 20-80 also sets conduct rules wherever riding is otherwise allowed.
(a)It is unlawful for any person to operate or ride a skateboard in or upon any of the following locations:(1)Pursuant to State law, on any street in the City except when crossing in a crosswalk (currently F.S. 316.2065(11)).(2)In any public parking garage, including the access/egress ramp.(3)On any public access ramps or access ramps for persons with disabilities providing pedestrian access to a building.(4)On any public or private property where prohibited by conspicuously located signs having lettering at least two inches high, and containing as a minimum the words, "No Skateboarding."(5)On any private nonresidential property without having the written permission of the property owner or tenant on the letterhead of the property owner or tenant.(6)On any private residential property without the permission of the owner or tenant of the property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 54).
Full Breakdown
Beyond the six banned locations, section 20-80 layers on conduct rules for skateboarding wherever it is otherwise permitted. Subsection (c) requires riders to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and bars "negligently" operating a skateboard or otherwise endangering or interfering with foot traffic on any City sidewalk. " Subsection (f) prohibits riding on or against any City-owned table, bench, hand or guard rail, or other structure, and on any tennis or basketball court or other improvement that could be damaged by skateboard use, except inside a designated skate park or facility: carving out the City's skate parks as the intended venue for that kind of riding.
Subsection (b) extends liability to parents, legal guardians or custodians who "knowingly permit" a minor to violate the section. " The section dates to the 1992 Code (former § 27-12, Ord. No. 2139-F) and was last amended by Ordinance No. 127-H in 2014.
Violations & Fines
Section 20-80 carries no dedicated fine schedule, so a violation, including a parent knowingly allowing a minor's violation or an unhelmeted rider under 17 on a City sidewalk, is enforced under section 1-7's general penalty: a fine up to $500.00, imprisonment up to 60 days, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skateboard on a St. Petersburg street?
Do skateboarders under 17 have to wear a helmet?
Can I skateboard on a City bench or in a parking garage?
Where can I skateboard on structures like rails and ramps legally?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Petersburg
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Skateboarding Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Pinellas County handle skateboarding rules.