Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the Parks & Recreation’s rules and regulations for Picnic Areas. If you have any questions please contact the reservations office at (650) 522-7434.

City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation Department Park Rules and Regulations

1. Alcohol is prohibited unless a City alcohol permit has been issued. Permits which have alcohol included must end at 6:00pm. Permit holder must be at least 21 years of age in order to obtain an alcohol permit for any picnic site. Alcohol is not permitted at Laurelwood Park, Parkside Aquatic Park, Ryder Park, and Harborview Park.
2. Glass bottles are not permitted at any City park.
3. The use of sound amplification equipment is prohibited. Radios, boom boxes, wireless speakers, DJ setups, instruments, microphones, and megaphones are not permitted.
4. Smoking is prohibited in City facilities and on City property including parks, parking lots, and grounds surrounding City facilities, including streets and sidewalks.
5. Vehicles are not permitted inside any City park at any time unless previous permission has been granted. Any unauthorized vehicles in the park or picnic area will be subject to a citation and towing at the owner's expense. All picnic supplies must be transported on foot into park and picnic area.
6. No personal barbecues are to be brought into any park. Barbecuing is restricted to the barbecue pits provided by the City at each picnic site. Caterers and food vendors are not permitted unless previous permission has been granted.
7. Inflatable jump houses may only be used with prior approval in conjunction with a valid picnic permit. Jump houses must be placed in designated areas within the park, and must not exceed 15 x 15 with no slides or balls. A generator must be provided by the jumper rental company. Jumpers are not permitted at Laurelwood Park and Parkside Aquatic Park.
8. No electricity is provided by the City at any picnic site.
9. Please leave picnic area clean with all trash placed in the trash cans provided. It is advised to bring additional trash bags to compensate for excess trash.
10. Dogs are allowed at all City parks, but must remain on a tethered leash and in control at all times. Dogs are only allowed off-leash in the designated dog play areas at Seal Point Park, Joinville Park, Los Prados Park, and Laurie Meadows Park.
11. With the exception of dogs on leashes, no domesticated animals (petting zoos) will be permitted in any Park Property of Facility.
12. Model airplanes, drones, motorized scooters, and/or any other motor driven vehicles are prohibited. All remote controlled pieces of equipment are prohibited in City parks.
13. Individuals may utilize turf areas in parks provided the area is not already permitted for an athletic event. If someone with a valid permit asks you to vacate an athletic field, please do so immediately. Turf areas are not to be utilized by outside vendors unless permission and/or permits have been granted.
14. Any change, alteration, or modification of stated use must be approved in advance by the reservations office. Changes or omission may result in cancellation of use or change of the use area and/or fees. Any misrepresentation of use, or failure to comply with Use Guidelines, may result in expulsion from the park or facility of use and/or forfeiture of all fee(s) and deposit(s).
15. No person, group or organization shall charge a fee, offer for sale, or accept a donation without prior approval from the Director of Parks and Recreation. 

 Damage/Cleaning Deposit

1. Any misrepresentation of use or failure to clean-up or comply with park rules and regulations may result in expulsion from the park and/or forfeiture of all fee(s) and deposit(s).
2. The approved applicant and/or organization will be responsible for any damage or loss sustained to the grounds, building, furnishings, and equipment (or unusual clean-up required), as a result of the applicant's and/or organization's occupancy of the facility.

Picnic Cancellation Guidelines/Rescheduling Guidelines

1. All cancellations or rescheduling requests will incur a $20.00 processing fee.
2. Cancellation requests received within ten (10) working days of the permit will not be refunded.
3. Cancellation requests received more than ten (10) working days of the permit will receive a refund of the permit fee, minus a $20.00 processing fee.
4. If unforeseen conditions arise causing the Parks and Recreation Department to cancel your picnic permit, a full refund will be issued.
5. Alcohol and/or Jumper permits are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Rain Out Policy

1. Requests to cancel a permit, prior to the reservation date, due to the forecast of bad weather will incur a $20.00 processing fee.
2. If a picnic area becomes unusable due to rain, cancellation requests will be accepted up to five (5) working days following the reservation date. A $20.00 processing fee will be applied.
3. Alcohol and/or Jumper permits are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Fees are subject to change per the current adopted Comprehensive Fee Schedule.