On August 7th, 2008 the Salt Lake Valley Health Department passed a new ordinance which prohibits the use of any skate ramps on a residential property. The reasoning they have used to issue this ordinance is based on "Noise Pollution".
The ordinance can be found here on the SLVHD website. It is Regulation # 21, and reads as follows...
4.5.21. Sporting Ramps. No person shall build or use nor shal any person cause, allow, or permit anyone to build or allow anyone to use any skateboard, roller blade, bicycle, or snowboard ramp or half-pipe or similar configuration within 800 feet of a dwelling, except within facilities that have been designated for such use by government entity.
The ordinance can be found here on the SLVHD website. It is Regulation # 21, and reads as follows...
4.5.21. Sporting Ramps. No person shall build or use nor shal any person cause, allow, or permit anyone to build or allow anyone to use any skateboard, roller blade, bicycle, or snowboard ramp or half-pipe or similar configuration within 800 feet of a dwelling, except within facilities that have been designated for such use by government entity.
Skateboarding is illegal in most public venues. Now our local council has made it illegal to enjoy this activity in the privacy of your own backyard. They have stated an argument that anyone who skateboards can now enjoy the several public skateparks that many of the numerous counties, cities, and communities have assembled throughout Utah. For this reason they feel it is only fair that we are prohibited from skating in the privacy of our own backyards. Though it is very true that many skate parks have in fact sprouted up, and any of us who enjoy skateboarding are quite grateful for continued growth in skateparks. However, this doesn't change the fact that this is completely beside the point. Why haven't they made noise ordinance that states families can no longer enjoy their backyard pools due to excessive noise? There are public, and community pools to enjoy instead, right? Or perhaps you can no longer shoot hoops in your driveway because the city provides baskets at the neighborhood park, or school? The fact remains that they have no just reason for passing this ordinance. A mini-ramp produces no more noise than any other general backyard activities that take place on a daily basis in thousands of backyards across our city every day. It seems clear that this ordinance is biased towards Skateboarders. Skateboarders have been segregated specifically in this matter. Speak up, and voice your opinion in this matter. Let our officials know that you are unwilling to stand by, and be told that you are no longer able to enjoy skateboarding in the privacy of your backyard. Take back, your back yard. Sign our online petition to urge our city, and county officials to address this issue. Email this page to all your friends, and family. Spread the word.
This is obviously unjust, and anyone who has ever used a backyard skate ramp knows that it that it would be an impossible argument to say that a Mini-ramp produces any more noise than a backyard swing set, trampoline, swimming pool, basket ball hoop, or a family backyard gathering for a nice summer evening barbeque.
