Athens City Code

It is a civil offense and subject to punishment in accordance with the provisions of this chapter for any person utilizing or riding upon any skateboard, roller skates, rollerblades, or a similar device to ride or move about upon such device in or on the public property defined in ACC 16-133 or private property when the private property has been designated by the owner by the procedure outlined in ACC 16-134 and posted as outlined in ACC 16-135 as a no skateboarding, roller skating, rollerblading or similar activity area.

(Code 1995, § 16-501; Ord. No. 962, 11-20-2007; Ord. No. 976, 2-17-2009)

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Private property means any property held by private interests which is used primarily for business, commercial, office space, religious, multifamily or recreational purposes. The term "private property" shall also include the parking facilities for these private property areas.

Public property means any property owned or maintained by the city within the downtown business district, which is defined as that area upon and within the interior of the boundaries of Green Street, College Street, Hill Street and Park Street as shown on the map of the city attached to the ordinance from which this chapter is derived and incorporated herein by reference, including, but not limited to, city streets and sidewalks. The term "public property" also means any property, wherever situated, owned or maintained by any public utility.

Roller skates or rollerblades means any footwear or device which may be attached to the foot or footwear to which wheels are attached, including wheels that are inline, and where such wheels may be used to aid the wearer in moving or propulsion. "Heelys™" are not included in the definition of roller skates or rollerblades.

Skateboard means a board of any material which has wheels attached to it and which is propelled or moved by human, gravitational, or mechanical power. The term "skateboards" includes a board which has wheels attached to it and a device or mechanism to turn or control the wheels, such boards commonly referred to as "Razors™."

(Code 1995, § 16-502; Ord. No. 962, 11-20-2007; Ord. No. 976, 2-17-2009)

1. (1) If the property is owner-occupied property, the owner shall submit a written application requesting a designation of a no skateboarding, roller skating or rollerblading.
2. (2) If the property is occupied by tenants of the owner, then the tenants may submit a written application, with the exception that, for multifamily property, two-thirds of the tenants must sign supporting a designation of no skateboarding, roller skating, or rollerblading, and the application shall also contain the written consent of the property owner or his or her designated representative.

(Code 1995, § 16-503; Ord. No. 962, 11-20-2007)

1. (1) Prior to the enforcement upon private property of the prohibition on skateboarding, roller skating, or rollerblading, or similar activity, the area so designated shall be posted with signs, which provide substantially as follows: "Skateboarding, roller skating or similar activity is prohibited by title 16, chapter 16-V, of the Athens City Code. Any violation is punishable by a civil penalty of up to $50.00."
2. (2) Such prohibition shall apply to the property or area so designated once the property or area has been posted with signs in plain view at all vehicular entrances to the property or area or at prominent locations therein. Signs of appropriate size and wording will be provided to property owners upon approval of an application for a particular location to be designated as a no skateboarding, roller skating, or similar activity area. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner or tenants to post signs in appropriate locations, to be designated by the appropriate city official, and to maintain all signs thereafter.

(Code 1995, § 16-504; Ord. No. 962, 11-20-2007)

Any violation of this chapter is deemed a civil offense, punishable by a civil penalty of up to $50.00.

(Code 1995, § 16-505; Ord. No. 962, 11-20-2007)

Any device designated, intended, and used solely for the transportation of infants, disabled or incapacitated persons, devices designed, intended, and used for the transportation of merchandise to and from the place of purchase and other wheeled devices, when being used for either of these purposes, shall be exempt from this chapter. Furthermore, the city council may, by resolution, suspend the enforcement provisions of this chapter to accommodate special events when so requested by the event organizer.

(Code 1995, § 16-506; Ord. No. 962, 11-20-2007)