Tacoma, WA Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Max penalty
- $250.00 civil infraction
- Minimum fine
- $25.00, not suspendable
- Must yield
- to pedestrians on sidewalks
- Covers
- skateboards, scooters, roller/in-line skates
Summary
Tacoma bans negligent skateboarding, scooter riding, and skating on any roadway, sidewalk, or public property, and requires riders to yield to pedestrians and people using assistive mobility devices.
No person upon roller skates or in-line skates, or riding in or upon or by any means a scooter, skateboard, toy vehicle, or any device similar to the foregoing, shall go upon any roadway, sidewalk, publicly owned parking lot, or other public property in such a manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger the safety of any persons or property, including the rider or operator.
2. Yielding to people walking or using an assistive mobility device. Any person using roller skates or in-line skates, or riding in or upon or by any means a scooter, skateboard, toy vehicle, or any device similar to the foregoing, must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are walking or using an assistive mobility device on a sidewalk or crosswalk.
3. Clinging to motor vehicle. No person upon roller skates or in-line skates, or riding in or upon or by any means a scooter, skateboard, toy vehicle, or any device similar to the foregoing, shall attach the same or himself to any moving vehicle upon any roadway.
D. Violation/penalty. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be deemed to have committed a civil infraction and will be subject to a maximum penalty, inclusive of statutory assessments, of $250.00. The minimum fine imposed shall be no less than $25.00, which shall not be suspended or deferred.
E. Definitions. "In-line skates"
Full Breakdown
Tacoma Municipal Code § 11.05.562 treats skateboards, scooters, roller skates, and in-line skates as pedestrians for rights and duties, then layers on specific operating rules. Riders may not go upon any roadway, sidewalk, publicly owned parking lot, or other public property in a manner that endangers themselves, other people, or property, and must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and people using assistive mobility devices on sidewalks and crosswalks. Clinging to a moving vehicle is separately prohibited. A violation is a civil infraction carrying a maximum penalty of $250.00, including statutory assessments, with a mandatory minimum fine of $25.00 that cannot be suspended or deferred.
Violations & Fines
Negligent or unsafe skateboard, scooter, or skate operation is a civil infraction: up to $250.00 maximum, with a mandatory $25.00 minimum fine that can't be suspended or deferred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skateboard on Tacoma sidewalks?
What's the minimum fine for reckless skateboarding in Tacoma?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
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