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City staff propose consolidated parks code and new permits for filming, docks and special events
Summary
Parks staff told the commission they plan to move park rules from the criminal-code chapter into a new Title 11 and add explicit permits for commercial filming, dock use and special events, and to clarify enforcement, hours and parking rules including a four-hour parking limit at some trailhead lots.
City parks staff presented proposed revisions May 7 to Gig Harbors parks code that would consolidate scattered rules into a new Title 11 and add explicit language for docks, marine piers, special-event permits and commercial activity in parks.
Parks Manager Jennifer Pero said the draft would move existing park rules out of chapter 9 and into a standalone chapter to reduce repetition and to give staff authority to post and change operational rules without a code amendment. "We don't actually have one for that," Pero said when describing the absence of a film-permit process for production companies that ask to shoot in city parks.
What the draft would change
- Consolidation: move park-related rules out of the criminal-code chapter into a single Title 11 organized by facility type (playgrounds, piers, trails, boat launches).
- Dock and pier rules: clarify that the maritime pier may be used by the general public but must not interfere with commercial fishing operations; staff added new language to allow the city to post operational rules for piers.
- Special-event and commercial permits: staff proposed explicit permitting language for commercial photographers and production companies; the draft will include a permit process and liability requirements (insurance/indemnity) though fees are still to be set.
- Parking and hours: the police chief recommended a four-hour parking limit at some trailhead lots to reduce overnight camping, loitering and other non-recreational use; staff said they would propose language that allows timed limits and enforcement.
- Other updates: add vaping to the no-smoking language, clarify allowed maintenance and address how commercial boaters and recreational boaters should yield at shared piers.
Staff emphasized the ordinance is a draft and will be refined with the city attorney and public-works input. The police chief and public-works director participated in the discussion and supported enforcement options for parking and pier safety.
Next steps
Staff asked commissioners for feedback before forwarding the draft to the city attorney and then to City Council. The commission did not vote on the ordinance at the May 7 meeting.
