SURFING

Surfing is defined as: the use in the Pacific Ocean adjacent to the shore line within the boundaries of the city of Laguna Beach of any surfboard, paddleboard, or other similar object made entirely or partially of wood, metal, glass, hard plastic, or any other hard substance.

18.20.020 Surfing: Time and place permitted. Between June 15 and September 15, both dates inclusive, of each calendar year the following described areas of the Pacific Ocean are hereby designated as surfing areas, and surfing within said areas only during the daylight hours from sunup to sundown

Area No. 1: That area lying between a point one hundred fifty feet south of the southerly extension of Brooks Street and a point one hundred fifty feet north of the northerly extension of Brooks Street only during the hours from sunup to sundown.

Area No. 2: That area lying between a point ninety feet south of the southerly extension of St. Ann's Drive and a point two hundred feet south of the southern extension of Thalia Street only during the hours from sunup to sundown.

Area No. 3: That area lying between Victor Hugo's Point and the stairway entrance below Jasmine Street (Rockpile Beach) only during the hours from sunup to sundown.

Area No. 4: That area lying between a point 125 feet south of the southerly extension of Agate Street and a point 100 feet north of the northerly extension. The hours of surfing to be from sunup until 12:00 noon and then 4:00 p.m. until sunset.

18.20.025 Signals - At any time when surfing is prohibited within a particular area, a yellow flag displaying a black ball shall be raised at or near the subject area so as to be readily visible to all persons within said area.

18.20.030 Swimming prohibited - When and where. No person shall wade, bathe or swim between June fifteenth and September fifteenth, both dates inclusive, in any surfing area at any time when surfing is permitted in such area unless such person has in his possession and is actually using a surfboard, paddleboard or other similar device.

18.20.035 Swimming - Hazardous conditions. At any time when surf conditions become hazardous as a result of storm, congestion of persons or other conditions which cause a present danger to persons swimming or using the beach, the city manager, director of marine environment or lifeguard captain or their authorized designees, or any other officer or employee designated by the city council, may prohibit swimming during the period of such hazardous conditions.

18.020.040 Surfing prohibited - When and where. No person shall use or have in his possession any surfboard, paddleboard or other similar device, or engage in the activity of surfing as said term is in this chapter defined, between the dates of June fifteenth and September fifteenth of each calendar year, both dates inclusive, at any place in the Pacific Ocean within the city except within an area where surfing is permitted by the provisions of this chapter.

18.20.045 Swimming and surfing area. All waters within two hundred yards from shore are designated as swimming and surfing areas. No person shall operate any motorboat, jet ski, sailboat, or other motor-driven or sail-driven device within said area except for proceeding directly to and from the shore through said area. Launching of any such device may be prohibited by any police officer or lifeguard at any time it appears that such activity would constitute a hazard to persons swimming or surfing in said area, or to the operators or passengers of such devices.

18.20.050 Hazard to others. No person shall use any surfboard, paddleboard, skimboard, ski, canoe, or other similar object made entirely or partially of wood, metal, glass, hard plastic or any other hard substance, at any time in the Pacific Ocean within the city limits in a manner that constitutes a hazard to any other person.

18.20.055 Unusual conditions. (a) Whenever surfing conditions become hazardous as the result of storm, congestion of participants or other conditions which cause a present danger to the persons participating in surfing or to others, the chief of police, the city manager, or other employees' of the city designated by the city manager, to enforce surfing regulations and control surfing activities, may prohibit surfing with a surfboard, paddleboard or similar device. No person shall fail, refuse or neglect to stop surfing activities or to leave the water when ordered to do so by any such employee of the city.

(b) Whenever surf or weather conditions make swimming or bathing hazardous in the beach area from a point one hundred fifty feet south of the southerly extension of Brooks Street to a point ninety feet south of the southerly extension of St. Ann's Drive,or when relatively few swimmers or bathers are present within that described area, the city manger, or other employees of the city designated by the city manger to enforce surfing regulations and control surfing activities, may, upon careful evaluation, permit surfing in the described area.

18.20.060 Storage of surfing devices. Any surfboard, paddleboard or other similar device, when not in use, must be kept off private property and stored only in designated areas or on city property at street ends to the beach.

For more information or to view City of Laguna Beach Municipal Codes please visit the city web page.

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