Park Use Rules and Guidelines
City of Atlanta parks are public spaces, and visitors to them should be respectful of themselves, others, and park property. There are some specific regulations governing behavior in parks that we would like to emphasize. Those statements are presented below, followed by excerpts from the City of Atlanta Code of Ordinances that pertain to City parks. Please consult the online version of the Code of Ordinances for more complete legal information (https://library.municode.com/ga/atlanta/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOORENOR_CH110PARE). For information on reserving a pavilion or ballfield, visit the Office of Parks home page.
- Parks are open from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. daily.
- Report illegal activities to 911.
- Place all litter in receptacles.
- All pets must be on a leash in a City park, except in designated areas. Persons with pets must clean up after the pet. No pets are allowed during A, B or C festivals. (For more information about festivals, go to Special Rules for Parks During the Festival Season.)
- No horses or ponies are allowed in any park at any time.
- No vehicles allowed off paved roads or on closed park roads.
- No tents or canopies larger than 10’ x 10’ allowed without the expressed written permission of the Commissioner, Department of Parks and Recreation, and other permits required by the city.
- No moonwalks, dunk tanks, or any equipment that calls for independent power (except by special permit).
- All games and activities that could damage the lawns are restricted.
- No glass containers allowed.
- No amplified music allowed (except by special permit).
- No selling of food or other items (except by special permit).
- No alcoholic beverages (except by special permit).
- Absolutely no drugs or illegal substances allowed on City property.
Rules Applicable to Piedmont Park Only
- No portable grills or ground fires are allowed.
- Grilling is allowed only in designated areas and only in grills provided.
- Pets are not allowed in the lake, on tennis courts, on the ballfields or the playgrounds
EXCERPTS FROM THE CITY OF ATLANTA CODE OF ORDINANCES
Sec. 18-9. - Removal of canine fecal matter.
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person owning, possessing, harboring or having care, charge, control or custody of any dog not to remove any feces left by that dog on any sidewalk, gutter, street, lot or other public area. Dog waste shall be immediately removed by placing said matter in a closed or sealed container and thereafter disposing of it in a trash receptacle, sanitary disposal unit or other closed or sealed refuse container.
(b)Each and every violation of this code section shall be punishable to the extent provided by code section 1-8.
(c)This section shall not apply to visually impaired persons who have the charge, control or use of a guide dog.
Sec. 110-56. - Violations.
(a)The violation of any rule and regulation governing the use of any park shall be deemed a violation of this Code of Ordinances and shall be punished as provided in section 1-8 thereof. In addition to the section 1-8 sanctions, in the event that a person's violation of any park rule or regulation results in damage to a park, including but not limited to its infrastructure or plants, the person also shall be responsible for reimbursing the city for the cost of repairing the damage, or replacing the damaged item(s) if the city finds that replacement is necessary."
(b)Where a rule or regulation governing the use of any park permits an activity only if the activity is approved by the Mayor, or the Commissioner or her/his designee, it shall be the duty of the recipient to have the written permission in his/her possession at all times that she/he is engaged in the activity to which the written permission pertains. The procedure to be utilized to obtain written permission shall be set forth in the park reservations policies and procedures promulgated by the Department of Parks and Recreation, and provided to the public upon request. Any activity that is permitted only upon approval by the mayor, Commissioner or her/his designee, shall be deemed unauthorized and shall be deemed a violation of this Code of Ordinances if the person(s) performing the activity does not have possession of the written permission at the time of performing the activity.
(c)In any court hearing or other proceeding involving a rule or regulation governing the use of any park, where the rule or regulation permits an activity only if the activity is approved by the Mayor, or the Commissioner or her/his designee, it shall be the duty, responsibility and burden of the defendant to produce credible evidence of the written permission at the hearing or other proceeding. If the defendant fails to produce credible evidence of the written permission, the court shall find that the permission was not granted.
Sec. 110-58. - Provisions extended to parks.
All laws, provisions of this Code and other ordinances in force in the city for the promotion of the peace, good order and morals thereof are, whenever applicable, hereby extended to and shall embrace the territory included in the public parks; and any person violating any such ordinance shall be subject to the penalties therefor provided in this Code.
Sec. 110-59. - Prohibited conduct.
(a)No person shall do any of the following in any park:
(1)Climb or lie upon any tree, shrub, fence, statue, monument or fountain.
(2)Enter or leave any park except through established entrances or exits and within established time periods.
(3)Gain or attempt to gain admittance to any park or facility in any park where a charge is made, without paying that charge.
(4)Use any area for changing clothing, other than an area designated for that purpose.
(5)Disregard the notices, prohibitions or directions on any park sign.
(6)Disobey the lawful order of a police officer.
(7)Place or display any sign or advertisement, except that this rule shall not apply to any signs or advertisements regarding any City sponsored or City authorized program, festival, or other event that occurs in the park. Signs or advertisements regarding City sponsored or City authorized programs, festivals or other events may be placed or displayed only with written permission by the Commissioner and her/his designee, and only at the locations and during the times authorized in writing by the Commissioner and her/his designee.
(8)Play, practice or otherwise participate in any game, sport or other recreational activity that is destructive to the lawn, plants, walls, road, or other infrastructure of a park, except at or upon places designated for that game, sport or recreational activity. By way of example, these activities shall include but not be limited to wearing sneakers with cleats, playing rugby or volleyball, or skateboarding off of park walls.
(9)Knowingly, or through reckless behavior, destroy or damage the lawn, plants, walls, road, or other infrastructure of a park, except by written permission from the Commissioner or her/his designee.
(10)Drive stakes, posts, poles or any other device or dig holes for the purpose of securing stakes, posts, poles or any other device for any reason, including to erect a tent, stage or other structure, except by written permission from the Commissioner or her/his designee.
(11)Bring in, erect, or permit a minor child in one's custody to bring in and/or erect any inflatable amusements, amusements requiring water, or any amusements requiring an independent power source, except during permitted special events and festivals. This rule shall not apply to city pools and lakes. For purposes of this subsection, inflatable amusements shall not include balls or balloons, and amusements requiring water shall not include water pistols.
(12)Erect a tent or canopy with a finished dimension greater than ten feet by ten feet, or be in possession of an erected tent or canopy with the same dimensions, without receiving the written permission of the Commissioner, as well as all other applicable permits required by this Code. This rule shall not apply to Camp Allatoona.
(13)Bring in, carry, possess, or permit a minor child one's custody to bring in, carry or possess, glass containers except for authorized vendors who shall retain and remove from the park all glass containers utilized in their activities. This rule shall not apply to the Chastain Park amphitheater when performances are being given therein.
(14)Bring in and abandon any animal in a park, including but not limited to cats, ducks, raccoons, opossums, and dogs, without the written permission of the Commissioner or her/his designee.
(15)Use a playscape or park bench for other than its intended use and/or purpose.
(16)Dispose of charcoals anywhere inside of a park other than in city-provided receptacles that are clearly marked for charcoal disposal.
(17)Hang any sign, banner, or any other item from a tree located in the park.
(18)Lay any of the following items on any permeable surface in a park: plywood, a non-permeable tarp, or any other item used as a ground covering that is made of a material that does not allow water to penetrate to the ground below. Chairs made of non-permeable material, coolers, and other items not utilized as ground covers do not violate this subsection. This subsection shall not apply where the activity is performed at the direction of the parks Commissioner or her/his designee by a city contractor, a city subcontractor, or a city official or employee acting in her/his official capacity, performing the activities as part of her/his official city duties. In addition, the subsection shall not apply to the host of a permitted outdoor festival, as defined in Chapter 142 of this Code of Ordinances, during those times when the permit is in effect, provided that use of the items is associated with elements of the event that are authorized by the festival permit.
(19)Urinate or defecate in any park regardless of whether the location is in public view, including without limitation in or upon any park building, monument or structure, except in permanent restrooms or portable lavatories open to the public. This rule shall not apply to individuals wearing diapers or who accidentally soil themselves. Soiled diapers must be wrapped tightly so that no waste can escape, and must either be removed from the park or disposed of in a trash can.
(20)Spit or expectorate in or upon any park building, monument or structure.
(21)Use any water fountain, drinking fountain, pool, sprinklers, reservoir, lake or any other water contained in a park for the purpose of bathing, or cleaning clothing or other personal belongings, except in park bathrooms and showers.
(22)Use any athletic field or court for other than its intended purpose, including without limitation: baseball, football and soccer fields; volleyball courts; and tennis courts. Where a sports field is designated for a particular sport, this provision does not prohibit the field's use for a different sport provided that the alternative use is compatible with the type of field and unlikely to cause damage, and provided that no one is using or waiting to use the field to play the sport for which it is intended. This subsection shall not apply to use of athletic fields or courts during a permitted outdoor festival, as defined in Chapter 142 of this Code of Ordinances, where the terms of use are established in the festival permit, and the use is consistent with those terms.
(23)Enter or attempt to enter to any portion of a park that is closed to the public, unless providing city services as a city employee, contractor or subcontractor acting at the direction of the parks Commissioner or his designee.
(24)Enter or attempt to enter any portion of a park that is reserved for private use without express permission from the reservation holder. Express permission may be provided in the form of a ticket.
(25)Enter or attempt to enter any portion of a park or a park facility when a charge is required for admission, without paying the charge or without receiving express permission from the entity requiring the payment.
(26)"Store personal property" as provided in City Code of Ordinances section 106-12.
(27)Bring in any collection of livestock, farm animals or docile wild animals to be fed and pet.
(28) Handle or launch any simple or complex device containing combustibles that liberate gases that on being ignited and/or whose action propels the device through the air, except as authorized by permit. Examples of such prohibited devices include, but are not limited to: bottle rockets, firecrackers, smoke balls, sparklers, roman candles, strobes, and snaps.
(29) Use metal detectors other than for surface metal detection. The user or party using detectors is prohibited from digging or otherwise damaging park grounds.
(30) Use of off road vehicles in the public parks, trails and greenspaces to include all terrain vehicles and motorcycles, except motorcycles that remain upon roadways laid out and maintained for vehicular travel as described in section 110-87 and 110-88.
(f)Skate parks. For the purposes of this section, shall be defined as the hard surfaced area designed for the active pursuit of the intended activity - access pathways, or adjacent observation areas are not included.
(1)No bicycles in the skate park.
(2)No lying down in the skate park.
(3)No eating in the skate park.
(4)No glass containers permitted in the skate park.
(g)Tents. In addition to meeting the requirements of subsections 110-59(a)(10) and (a)(12) above and any other requirements established by the City Code of Ordinances and other applicable law, any tent or canopy erected in a park must meet the following criteria:
(1)The structure may have no more than two opaque sides. The non-opaque sides must remain visually unobstructed. Said sides may be made of netting or mesh, provided that said netting or mesh does not materially impede visibility into the structure from the outside. Tents with more than two opaque sides are acceptable provided that: a) the opaque sides (other than two) can be opened such that at least two-thirds of each side becomes non-opaque; and b) the opaque sides (other than two) are opened to the greatest extent possible and fastened in a manner that does not materially impede visibility into the structure from the outside. Tents located at the Outdoor Activity Center or Camp Allatoona shall be exempt from this regulation, and may be permitted to have all opaque sides.
(2)The structure may not have a floor, unless erected at the Outdoor Activity Center or Camp Allatoona.
(3)Tents must have a distance between them of no less than 12 feet.
(4)The following items may not be located inside of any tent or canopy absent all required permits and licenses, including without limitation a permit from the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department:
(A)Generators, heaters and/or stoves powered by gasoline, kerosene, propane, or other flammable substance;
(B)Flammable gases, liquids or accelerants of any kind, including but not limited to, gasoline, propane, and kerosene;
(C)A flame/flames from any source, whether open or enclosed, including but not limited to, candles, lanterns, and torches.
(i)Smoking and vaping prohibited in parks. It shall be unlawful for any reason to smoke or vape in outdoor parks and recreational facilities located within the City of Atlanta, including but not limited to, parks, athletic fields, aquatic areas, golf courses, tennis courses, hiking/walking/biking trails, playgrounds, off-leash areas, and spectator and concession areas.
Sec. 110-60. - Use of public parks at night.
(a)No person shall be in any park or upon any park lane or park drive between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily, except that the hours for use of the Chastain Park amphitheater are extended until 1:00 a.m. on nights when performances are being given in the Chastain Park amphitheater as provided in section 110-59(c), or except if the person has a festival or assembly permit for consecutive days and is performing duties not possible during the normal festival or assembly hours.
(b)This section shall not prevent the use at any time of thoroughfares that are part of the system of streets and highways of the city which traverse any part or portion of any public park.
(c)No person shall park any vehicle on any of the roads, drives, avenues or parking lots in any park between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily. The chief of staff may provide a parking permit exempting a vehicle from this rule, to any person(s) involved with a legitimately permitted event occurring in any park, where the chief of staff finds that said person has a legitimate need to park her/his vehicle in said park between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Nothing in this section shall limit the Commissioner's authority to close portions of a park to traffic at other times, as is provided in Code section 110-61.
Sec. 110-61. - Closing of drive or avenue in park.
(a)The Commissioner may close, temporarily or permanently, to vehicular traffic any road, drive or avenue within a public park that is not a part of the municipal street system of the city.
(b)The Commissioner shall seek the recommendations of the director, bureau of traffic and transportation whenever any action is to be taken under this section.
Sec. 110-62. - Sale of goods, articles or services.
No person shall sell goods, articles or services of any nature in the city parks without first obtaining written permission from the mayor or the Commissioner; provided, however, that no person shall sell spirituous, vinous or malt liquors in the city parks, except as otherwise provided by ordinance.
Sec. 110-65. - Boating and swimming.
No person shall engage in boating, swimming or any like activity on any lake, pond or waterway within any park owned or operated by the city. However, this section shall not apply to persons renting boats from the city or its authorized concessionaire and operating them in an area designated for boating or to any city employee while in the performance of assigned duties or to any person comprising part of a rescue squad assisting or carrying out rescue work.
Sec. 110-67. - Hunting and fishing.
(a)No person shall hunt or shoot in any public park, except as expressly authorized by law or rule and regulation.
(b)Fishing is permitted in designated ponds and lakes in public parks and as authorized by state law, except where prohibited by the city.
Sec. 110-70. - Pets.
(a)No person shall walk any pet in any park except on a leash, unless the area of the park is explicitly designated as an off-leash dog area.
(b)It shall be the responsibility of any person bringing a pet into a public park to clean up any matter excreted by the pet.
(c)Leashed pets are not prohibited in public parks except in the following areas of any parks:
(1)Amphitheater.
(2)Swimming pools and pool areas.
(3)Tennis courts.
(4)Golf course.
(5)Within 15 feet of all fences and structures.
(6)Lakes.
(7)Zoo.
(8)Ball fields.
(d)Pets are prohibited in parks during permitted Class A, Class B, and Class C outdoor festivals, as defined in section 142-59(a) of this Code of Ordinances. Pets are permitted in parks during Class D and Class E outdoor festivals, as defined in section 142-59(a) of this Code of Ordinances. Any prohibition of pets pursuant to this section, or any similar prohibition of pets during any outdoor festival or outdoor event, shall not apply to those animals where the animal's owner can demonstrate that the animal is part of a performance, exhibit, or other activity conducted as part of the outdoor festival or other outdoor event. Nor shall said prohibition apply to those animals that are confined to a specific area of the park, where such park area is designated by the city as serving the purpose for which the animal is using it.
(e)Subsections (c) and (d) of this section shall not apply to any guide dog especially trained for the purpose of accompanying a totally or partially blind person or a deaf person, or a service dog especially trained for the purpose of accompanying a physically disabled person, or a dog trained and licensed by and in the possession of the Atlanta Police Department or any other law enforcement agency, or a horse utilized by the city's mounted police patrol.
(f)Certain defined areas of select parks shall be designated as off-leash dog areas. These areas must be completely fenced with a double-gated entrance and exit system. For any area of a park designated as an off-leash dog area, the rules set forth below shall apply. All of the rules below shall be posted on a sign at each entrance to the off-leash area. In the event that the rules are not posted, users of the area shall still be held responsible for knowing and following the rules, and may be fined or otherwise penalized for failure to abide by such rules. These rules may be augmented by the Commissioner or her/his designee should s/he determine that additional rules are needed.
(1)All users of the off-leash area shall assume all risk and liability associated with such an area.
(2)Owners are responsible for the action of their dogs. Each dog must be kept within sight of her/his owner and under voice control.
(3)Dog owners have responsibility for watching their dog's behavior. If a dog displays aggressive behavior or fights, the owner shall be responsible for immediately controlling or removing the dog from the off-leash area.
(4)No more than three dogs per owner shall be allowed in the area at one time.
(5)All dogs must wear a collar and ID tag.
(6)All dogs must be properly licensed, healthy, and have current vaccinations.
(7)No puppies under 16 weeks are allowed.
(8)No dogs in heat are allowed.
(9)No dogs are permitted to enter with pronged collars.
(10)Any dog that barks continually must be removed or muzzled by her/his owner.
(11)Owners must clean up after their dogs.
(12)The off-leash areas have double gated entrances. Owners must close and latch both gates after entering or exiting the area.
(13) No children under the age of 12 are allowed in the area without close adult supervision.
(14) The only food of any kind allowed is bite-size dog treats.
(15)Do not feed dogs without the owner's permission.
(16)Bicycling, skateboarding, rollerblading, jogging or strollers are not allowed.
(17)Dogs are not permitted on benches.
(18)The off-leash area may be closed in times of bad weather or for maintenance.
(19)Serious problems resulting in injury must be reported immediately to the bureau of parks.
Sec. 110-71. - Horseback riding and similar activities.
No person shall engage in horseback riding or shall bring any horse or fasten any horse to any tree or other object in any public park, except at or upon places designated therefor. However, this section shall not apply to law enforcement officers when engaged in their official duties.
Sec. 110-72. - Model airplane flying.
No person shall engage in model airplane flying in any public park, except at or upon places designated therefor; provided, however, that no person shall operate more than a 35 cc piston displacement motor.
Sec. 110-73. - Copying cyclorama.
No person, except on written permission of the Commissioner, shall make or produce or aid or assist in the making or producing of any photograph, etching, painting or modeling of the cyclorama of the Battle of Atlanta, housed in the cyclorama building at Grant Park.
Sec. 110-74. - Helicopters.
No person shall land a helicopter in any public park unless such helicopter is being used in an emergency situation by emergency personnel, including but not limited to police, fire, civil defense and medical personnel, or unless such authorization is granted by resolution by the city council.
Sec. 110-77. - Posting bills and notices.
Any person who, in any park, shall post bills or notices shall be guilty of an offense and shall be punished as provided in section 1-8; provided however, that the mayor or designee may allow bills and/or notice signs to be temporarily placed in any park when, in the discretion of the mayor or designee, such sign will be beneficial to any municipal or public endeavor, athletic or otherwise.
Sec. 110-86. - Use of drives and avenues.
The roads, drives and avenues in public parks shall be open only to the use of pedestrians and bicycle riders and the occupants of vehicles in use for pleasure drives. No vehicles engaged in hauling for traffic or commerce shall use such roads, drives or avenues, except for the delivery of materials or other supplies necessary for the maintenance of the parks or for persons conducting business within the limits of the parks or with the written permission of the Commissioner. However, nothing in this section shall prohibit the policing of public parks by law enforcement officers.
Sec. 110-87. - Driving across parks.
No person shall drive any vehicle upon or across any part of any public park, except upon roadways laid out and maintained for vehicular travel. This section shall not apply to city employees whose duties require them to drive on park property and who are authorized to do so by the Commissioner.
Sec. 110-88. - Unauthorized parking of vehicles in parks.
No person shall park any vehicle upon any of the roads, drives, avenues or parking lots or at any other place within any park when the person is not using the park or any of its related facilities. This section shall not apply to city employees in the conduct of city business.
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