Parks & Recreation

General Rules

Park areas cannot be reserved for the exclusive use of any one group and access to the area by the general public must remain available at all times. It is unlawful to obstruct the free travel of any vehicle or pedestrian over any of the walks, roads, or avenues of any park or plaza property. (CANNOT ROPE/CONE/TAPE OFF, ETC.., THE AREA.) [SDMC 63.0102(b) (25)].
The Park and Recreation Department cannot modify maintenance schedules (i.e., sprinklers, lawn renovation, fertilization, aeration, etc.) to accommodate events in public parks. Maintenance activities are normally scheduled Monday - Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
All fires must be contained within the City-provided concrete fire containers (fire rings/squares) or barbecues. Portable barbecues are permitted but care must be taken not to damage any grass areas and coals must be emptied into concrete fire containers, permanent barbecues, hot coal containers, or taken home in accordance with SDMC. If emptied into a concrete fire container, the embers must be dowsed with water before leaving the site.
Solicitation of funds in public parks, playgrounds, beaches, tidelands, and other City property is prohibited [SDMC 63.0102(b) (14)].
Sale of merchandise in public parks, playgrounds, beaches, tidelands and other City property is prohibited [SDMC 63.0102(b) (13)].
Glass containers in public parks, playgrounds, beaches, tidelands and other City property are prohibited [SDMC 63.0102(b) (7)].
If dumpsters and/or portable toilets are required, they must be placed in an approved area designated by the Park and Recreation Department. They must be delivered no sooner than one day prior to your event and picked up the first day following your event by no later than 10:00 a.m.
Direct advertising for any commercial corporation or product in public parks, playgrounds, beaches, tidelands, and other City property is not permitted; however, private corporations may be thanked for their sponsorship or their involvement in the event. Banner size is limited to 3 feet x 8 feet.
It is unlawful to litter, throw, or deposit on the ground, to post or affix to any tree, fence or structure situated within or on any City-owned park or plaza any handbills, circulars, pamphlets, tracts, dodgers, papers, or advertisements [SDMC 63.0102(b) (1)].
If needed, the City of San Diego will require you to obtain a minimum of $1,000,000 liability insurance policy naming the City of San Diego as co-insured for your event. Insurance coverage must be maintained for the duration of the event, including setup and breakdown dates. A copy of the insurance policy must be delivered to the Developed Regional Parks Administration Building no later than 10 days prior to the event.