Park Rules

Help us keep all parks welcoming, safe, clean and well-maintained. Please see some frequently asked questions about parks below. A full list of our Park and Recreation rules is available in Redmond Municipal Code Chapter 9.31.

  • Smoke-Free Parks & Trails

    As of March 31, 2018 all Redmond parks are smoke-free! Enforcement of this new rule will primarily be a matter of education and reminders from Park Operations Staff and police officers.

    Cigarettes, vapor electric cigarettes, cigars, pipes of any kind, chewing tobacco or smoking of any substances are not allowed in any city park area. (RMC 9.31.420 A).

  • Alcohol and Drugs

    You cannot sell, open, or possess alcohol in an open container, or consume alcohol in a park unless you have a Special Events permit and the appropriate WA State permit. (RMC 9.31.430 A). See the Special Events Permit page for more details.

    Drugs and intoxicating alcohols are not permitted.

  • Animals

    You must leash and be in control of your pet at all times. (RMC 9.31.180 B)

    Redmond does not have an off-leash dog park, but Marymoor Park, a King County park located in unincorporated Redmond, does have a large off-leash area.

    You are responsible for the conduct of your pet and you must clean up after your pet, properly disposing of pet waste. (RMC 9.31.180 C)

    Dogs or pets or other domestic animals are not allowed on any designated swim beach or athletic field. (RMC 9.31.180 A)

    Please note that in order to preserve native growth protection areas, no pets are allowed at Watershed Park.

  • Beaches and Swimming

    Swimmers must obey all posted beach rules and lifeguard instructions (RMC 9.31.220 A)

    Swimming is only allowed in designated areas (RMC 9.31.220 A 1)

    Canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and row boats are not allowed in designated swimming areas (RMC 9.31.220 A 3)

    Dogs or pets or other domestic animals are not allowed on any designated swim beach or athletic field. (RMC 9.31.180 A)

    Metal detectors are not allowed in parks or on beaches without a miscellaneous use permit. Please contact us for more information or to apply.

  • Camping

    Overnight camping is not allowed in any designated park or trail area (RMC 9.31.150). To learn more about Camping Restrictions on all Public Spaces, check RMC 9.33.

  • Drones

    Drones and other remote controlled models are only allowed with a permit (RMC 9.31.250). Please contact us for more information or to apply for a miscellaneous use permit.

  • E-Bikes

    Are allowed on City of Redmond trails and should be used in a safe manner. (RMC 9.31.130 E)

  • Trail Speed Limits

    Travel on all trails cannot exceed 15 miles per hour. (RMC 9.31.130 A)

  • Fires/BBQ

    Fires are not allowed in any park area, except in designated barbecue grills (RMC 9.31.330 A).

    You may bring portable barbecues into parks, but any charcoal briquettes must be removed from the park site or disposed of in Ash Cans provided adjacent to permanent barbecues.

  • Fireworks

    Fireworks are not allowed in any park area (RMC 9.31.400 A).

  • Motorized Vehicles

    Motorized vehicles are not allowed on trails, with the exception of wheelchairs powered by electric motors, electric-assisted bicycles and motorized foot scooters (RMC 9.31.130 E).

  • Noise and Amplified Sound

    Public address systems or amplified sound is not allowed, unless a permit is obtained (RMC 9.31.260 A). Music can be played from portable radio or device, as long as it doesn’t disturb others. Please contact us for more information.

  • Park and Trail Hours

    Parks are open from dawn to dusk. Some parks and all trails are open for extended hours which are posted at each site. Extended hours are set by the Park Director. No one is allowed in parks or trails after hours. (RMC 9.31.280 A)

  • Tents and Shelters

    Pop-up sun shades or canopies providing protection from the elements are allowed for day use in parks. They should have an unobstructed view from at least two sides of the tent. Leaving tents or shelters in parks or trails overnight is not allowed. (RMC 9.31.150)

  • Sale of Goods or Services in Parks

    The sale of goods or services in parks is only allowed with a permit or concessions agreement. Please contact us for more details.

  • What should I do if I see a rule being broken?

    If you see behavior or an incident that makes you feel unsafe, or is a risk to public safety or property, call 911 immediately.
    If you observe something that requires Park Staff, call 425.556.2300.

    Often, park staff and police provide education and reminders on park rules and enforcement from police isn’t even needed.
    Some behaviors or acts violate state law and these are enforced by police, just as they are in the rest of the city.

  • What happens if someone breaks a park rule?

    Some behaviors or acts in parks are categorized as misdemeanors, which may result in a ticket and monetary fine. Other behaviors do not rise to the level of a misdemeanor and are categorized as a civil infraction, which may result in a ticket with a slightly lower fine.

    The level of risk to public safety and impact to park patrons or property shapes how police and/or park staff respond.

    While police have full enforcement authority for park rules, park staff can play a key roles in educating people about the rules. Park staff may elevate issues for further assistance, or ask for an officer response for possible enforcement/ticketing.

    If police do find it necessary to issue a citation, they follow a bail schedule and there is an appeal process [link to details].