[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Guilford 6-3-1974; amended in its entirety 10-4-1999. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Parks and Recreation Commission — See Ch. 85.
Animals — See Ch. 131.
Boats and boating — See Ch. 144.
Outdoor fires — See Ch. 170.
Littering — See Ch. 198.
Loitering — See Ch. 202.
Peddling and soliciting — See Ch. 218.
Solid waste — See Ch. 236.
Trees — See Ch. 252.
Subdivision of land — See Ch. 272.
For the purposes of this chapter, the term "governing agency" shall mean:
A. 
The Board of Selectmen in matters involving the Town Green, Town parking lots and parking areas, public highways and sidewalks, open spaces and golf courses, unless specified elsewhere.
B. 
The Marina Commission in matters involving the Town marinas.
C. 
The Board of Education in matters involving school grounds.
D. 
The Conservation Commission in matters involving The Timberlands and The East River Preserve.
[Amended 6-15-2015]
E. 
The Parks and Recreation Department in matters involving all other Town property, including public (nonschool) playgrounds, parks and beaches.
It shall be unlawful and an infraction of this chapter for any person within the boundaries of Town properties:
A. 
To consume or have any alcoholic liquors, as defined in Section 30-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes, of any kind in an open container in his or her possession, except when the governing agency, in its discretion, after receiving the approval of the Board of Selectmen, waives the provisions of this subsection by issuing a permit to that effect to any association, club, society or similar organization which applies, in writing, to the governing agency for said permit at least 30 days prior to the date for which the permit is sought. Permits are issued subject to the provisions of the Liquor Control Act, Section 30-1 et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes. In addition, no person who has not attained the legal drinking age, as defined by the Connecticut General Statutes, shall have any such alcoholic liquors in his or her possession or custody, whether the same be in opened or sealed containers.
B. 
To bring any horse or pony onto Town property unless a specific area for the purpose is designated by the governing agency, except that horseback riding is permitted within Timberlands and East River Preserve on marked trails. Horses and ponies may be permitted on the Town Green by special permission of the Board of Selectmen.
[Amended 6-15-2015]
C. 
To drive a motor vehicle at a rate exceeding 15 miles per hour or to use cars, motorcycles, minibuses, snowmobiles, go-carts or camper vehicles in other than designated areas, except with written permission of the governing agency. This section does not apply to authorized vehicles performing maintenance or to police and emergency vehicles.
D. 
To wash, clean, paint or make repairs to any motor vehicle except in such authorized areas as determined by the governing agency.
E. 
To swim in areas restricted by the governing agency.
[Amended 9-8-2015]
F. 
To discharge or carry firearms, bow and arrow or any other weapon or similar device designed to fire or launch a projectile, including, without limitation, paint-ball guns, pellet guns and BB guns, except in such areas as may be specifically authorized by the governing agency.
G. 
Except for authorized hunting, to injure or disturb any bird, bird's nest or eggs or any animal, wild or tame, within any Town property.
H. 
To cut, injure or deface, remove or disturb any tree, shrub, building, fence, bench or other structure, apparatus or property; to pick, cut or remove any shrub, bush or flowers; or to mark or write upon any building, fence, branch, rock ledge or any other natural or man-made structure, except by permission of the governing agency.
I. 
To ice-skate or sled, unless the area is posted as safe for such.
J. 
To launch any boat or to fish in areas posted as so restricted by the governing agency.
K. 
To be in any Town property at times others than those established by the governing agency, except with written permission from the governing agency.
L. 
To hold, conduct and/or address any assemblage, meeting, gathering, sale, auction, fair or bazaar where admission is charged or any product or service sold and where the number of people assembled will or should reasonably be expected to exceed 40, without having first obtained a written permit from the governing agency for the purpose of providing proper scheduling and for public safety and convenience, subject to the following:
(1) 
Applications for a written permit shall be made, in writing, to the governing agency at least 48 hours before the date and time requested.
(2) 
The governing agency, after consultation with the Chief of Police, may require proof of adequate security and police supervision, sanitary facilities, parking and traffic control, liability insurance and cleanup plans and may require the posting of a bond in sufficient amount to indemnify the Town of Guilford from any costs or expenses it might incur by reason of said assembly.
(3) 
The governing agency may set reasonable limits on the maximum number of people who may be admitted to the location of the assembly, may limit the hours of assembly, may limit and control the dispensation of food and drink, may limit and control the sound and sound amplification at said assembly and set such other conditions as it deems appropriate.
(4) 
The governing agency may revoke any permission at any time for failure to comply with any conditions it may have established for said assembly.
M. 
To hold any public meeting or assemblage not otherwise regulated by Subsection L above, where the number of people assembled will or should reasonably be expected to exceed 40, without having first obtained a written permit from the governing agency for purposes of providing scheduling and for public safety and convenience, subject to the following:
(1) 
Application for a written permit shall be made, in writing, to the governing agency at least 48 hours before the date and time requested, unless waived by the governing agency.
(2) 
Such permit may not be denied, except where the governing agency finds that the location selected is unsuitable for such a meeting due to inadequate parking, inadequate station facilities or potential damage to trees or shrubs or that the date and time requested conflict with another use of that location.
(3) 
Whenever a permit is denied under Subsection M(2) above, alternative suitable locations and dates shall be offered to the applicant.
(4) 
A spontaneous assemblage of more than 40 persons on the Town Green which has not been called together by any person or group and which is not engaging in any organized activity will not be deemed to be a public meeting or assemblage within the meaning of this chapter.
N. 
To bring or allow any dog, except guide dogs who may accompany a blind, deaf or mobility-impaired person in accordance with Section 46a-44 of the Connecticut General Statutes, or other pet into or onto any Town property, unless same is kept on a leash or lead that is a maximum of seven feet in length and under the control of its owner and/or keeper at all times, except as otherwise permitted under § 214-3D, with respect to certain Town beaches, and under § 214-3E, with respect to Town dog park(s); to allow any dog or other pet to dig up or mutilate, deface or destroy any lawn or vegetation located on Town property or to cause an annoyance to other users of the Town property; and to fail to remove immediately any feces of such animal by an owner and/or keeper of such animal from Town property and dispose of the same in a proper manner.
[Amended 6-15-2016; 3-21-2016]
O. 
To kindle or make any fire, except in facilities provided for the purpose by the governing agency, without written permission from the governing agency.
P. 
To place or dump any refuse, commercial or household waste on Town properties except at the transfer station, or to discard any can, bottle, container, paper or other litter on Town property, except in containers provided for the purpose.
Q. 
To violate or fail to abide by any regulations or rules promulgated by the governing agency.
R. 
To ride a motorcycle, automobile, scooter, bicycle or other vehicle or to rollerblade or skateboard on any building, structure or seawall at the Town Marina.
A. 
It shall be unlawful in any property under the jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation Department for any person to:
(1) 
Kindle or make an open fire in any area other than designated grills, except by written permission from the Parks and Recreation Commission and notification of the Fire Marshal.
(2) 
Have alcoholic beverages, unless written permission is granted by the Parks and Recreation Department and the Board of Selectmen in accordance with Town ordinances.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 214-2A.
(3) 
Sell, offer or solicit for sale any goods, merchandise or services or collect admissions or request donations without written permission from the Parks and Recreation Commission.
(4) 
Park a motor vehicle anywhere other than those areas specifically posted or designated for parking or to drive a motor vehicle on grass areas other than those specifically posted or designated for that purpose. Motorized vehicles used by the handicapped, such as wheelchairs, scooters, etc., are exempt from this regulation.
(5) 
Play sports or games, except in those areas constructed for the purpose or by written permission of the Parks and Recreation Department. Archery, javelins or any other pointed projectiles and guns of any kind are prohibited, except under supervision of the Parks and Recreation Department.
(6) 
Drive or propel a motorbike, moped, go-cart, snowmobile or any other self-propelled vehicle, except autos, without written permission from the Parks and Recreation Department. Autos shall be allowed only on designated parking areas. Motorized vehicles used by the handicapped, such as wheelchairs, scooters, etc., are exempt from this regulation.
(7) 
Be in any park, beach or open space at times other than hours established by the Parks and Recreation Commission, as posted.
(8) 
Conduct or participate in any activity that infringes on the rights of or function of the normal activities intended or approved by the Parks and Recreation Department.
B. 
[2]Tennis courts.
(1) 
Tennis shall be played only on the tennis courts.
(2) 
Playing time is limited to one hour when players are waiting.
(3) 
Players should make an effort to play doubles.
(4) 
Adults have priority use after 6:00 p.m.
(5) 
Players must deposit litter in barrels.
(6) 
Tennis shoes must be worn on the courts.
[2]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection B, regarding pets allowed in parks, playgrounds, and open space, was repealed 6-15-2015. This ordinance also redesignated former Subsection C through F as Subsections B through E, respectively.
C. 
Skating ponds and sledding shall only be in areas as posted for such.
D. 
Beaches and related facilities.
(1) 
Smoking is prohibited on beaches.
(2) 
Inflatable or buoyant devices (including, but not limited to, inner tubes, swimmies, ring buoys, balls, air mattresses, rubber boats and rafts) are prohibited at Jacobs Beach and Lake Quonnipaug, except for U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs), which may be used. Anyone wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD must be accompanied by an adult in the water. Town lifeguards shall have no responsibility to determine whether or not the PFDs meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements. It shall be the sole responsibility of the parent/guardian of a minor and/or the user to ensure that the PFD is U.S. Coast Guard approved.
[Amended 9-8-2015]
(3) 
All swimmers must stay within the swim area. Hanging onto ropes at Lake Quonnipaug is not allowed, except in an emergency.
(4) 
Unnecessary rough play, pushing, tripping, chicken fights and similar activities are not allowed.
(5) 
Fishing is prohibited in beach areas.
(6) 
Pets are prohibited on Town beaches, except that dogs shall be permitted on the following Town-owned shorefront areas: Grass Island, Shell Beach, Daniel Avenue Beach, Chittenden Park, Chaffinch Island and the Trolley Road property. The owner and/or keeper of the dogs shall be subject to the provisions set forth in § 214-2N. Dogs will not be permitted on the beaches at Jacobs Beach and Lake Quonnipaug in accordance with the requirements pertaining to public swimming areas, as defined and set forth in Section 19a-36-B61 of the regulations of the State Department of Health, Public Health Code.
[Amended 6-15-2015]
(7) 
People must not walk on the rocks or jetty at Jacobs Beach.
(8) 
Snorkels and scuba equipment are not allowed in swim areas.
(9) 
All swimmers must wear swimsuits.
[Amended 9-8-2015]
(10) 
Ball-playing and frisbees are not allowed on the beach or in the water at Lake Quonnipaug or Jacobs Beach unless preapproved by the Parks and Recreation Department.
[Amended 9-8-2015]
(11) 
Litter must be placed in trash barrels.
(12) 
[3]Groups of over 20 must get a permit from the Parks and Recreation Department.
[3]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection D(12), regarding red emergency phones, was repealed 9-8-2015. This ordinance also redesignated former Subsection D(13) through (15) as Subsection D(12) through (14), respectively.
(13) 
The Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to close beaches due to weather conditions or overcrowding.
(14) 
Beaches close at dusk.
(15) 
No one shall use soaps or detergents of any kind in public swimming areas or other Town-owned shorefront areas.
[Added 9-8-2015]
E. 
Dogs and dog owners, caretakers and/or custodians of dogs shall be permitted to use the Town dog park located at Nut Plains Park in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the Parks and Recreation Commission and posted at the dog park ("Dog Park Rules and Regulations") and the Connecticut General Statutes. Subject to the provisions of the Dog Park Rules and Regulations and the Connecticut General Statutes, dogs shall be permitted without a leash at the Nut Plains Park dog park and any future Town dog park(s). To the extent of any conflict between the Dog Park Rules and Regulations and the Connecticut General Statutes, the provisions of such statutes shall prevail.
[Added 3-21-2016[4]]
[4]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also redesignated former Subsection E as Subsection F.
F. 
Miscellaneous.
(1) 
All uses of Parks and Recreation facilities for fund-raising purposes must be cleared, in writing, from the Parks and Recreation Commission.
(2) 
Golf practice and flying model airplanes or rockets are prohibited, except during times and in areas designated by the Parks and Recreation Department.
A. 
Failure to abide by these regulations or any rules set forth by the governing agencies shall subject the violator to immediate removal from said Town property and/or a fine outlined under § 214-4B. Any person who fails to leave where so ordered by a member of the Guilford Police Department shall be considered to be in violation of this chapter.
B. 
Any person violating any of the provisions hereof shall be subject to a fine of more than $50 and a maximum of $90 for each infraction.