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County adopts changes to parks code to address drones, vaping, paragliders and commercial use
Summary
Commissioners adopted amendments to Chapter 94 (parks and recreation) to regulate model rockets and unmanned aircraft, prohibit tobacco and cannabis in parks, add provisions for electronic dog collars, limit commercial solicitation and promote trash‑free parks; board closed a public hearing and voted in favor.
The board held a public hearing and then adopted updates to the county’s parks and recreation code to address several emerging user conflicts and public‑safety matters.
Staff summarized the package of proposed amendments as covering model rockets and remote‑controlled unmanned aircraft, prohibiting tobacco and cannabis products in park property, adding restrictions on electronic (shock) dog collars, promoting trash‑free parks, managing paragliders and ultralight aircraft via scheduling rather than outright bans, and restricting the use of park property for ongoing private business solicitations such as paid lessons.
Parks staff said the amendments are not intended to prohibit all uses but to manage safety and scheduling conflicts (for example, preventing a landing or flight operation during organized sporting events). No members of the public spoke on the record during the hearing.
The board closed the public hearing and voted to adopt the ordinance amendments.
Why it matters: The changes aim to clarify acceptable uses of parks and reduce conflicts between recreational users, spectators and commercial operators. Staff recommended follow‑up communications and signage to inform park users of the new rules.
